Raj Mukherji (born July 15, 1984) is an American businessman, lawyer, actor and Democratic Party politician who has represented the 32nd legislative district in the New Jersey Senate since 2024. He previously served five terms in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2014 to 2024, during which he served as majority whip and deputy speaker.“Mukherji Appointed Assembly Majority Whip in 218th Legislative Session.” Insider NJ, 01-12-2018. He is a former healthcare and information technology CEO, former deputy mayor of Jersey City, former local prosecutor, and law professor.Political bio of Senator Raj Mukherji.LinkedIn profile of Raj Mukherji, Esq.
Mukherji was first elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 2013 and reelected in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021, and first elected to the Senate in 2023. He is a former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant who enlisted two weeks following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Mukherji serves as chairman of the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, vice chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, and a member of the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. In the assembly, he served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee and vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee and Telecommunications and Utilities Committee.“Press Release: Mukherji Appointed...” Assembly Democrats, 02-06-2014.“Mukherji Appointed to Budget, Commerce, and Labor Panels.” Mile Square View, 02-06-2014.
Mukherji started multiple successful businesses before completing his teenage yearsLim, Jeremiah. “Assemblyman Talks Business Development, Sick Leave.” TAPinto, 09-10-2014.“Why a Young New Jersey State Assemblyman Is Working to Protect One of the Earth’s Oldest Animals.” The Dodo, 06-02-2014. and was sworn into his first public office at age 24.
At 28, Mukherji – as a running-mate of longtime Senator Brian P. Stack – won a six-way Democratic primary election for the state assembly by a 36-point margin in 2013 and won the November general election by a 20-point margin,“Indian-American Political Star Rises in NJ.” Voices of NY, 11-12-2013.“Indian-American Raj Mukherji Wins Local Body Polls in New Jersey.” Jan Darpan, 11-08-2013. becoming the second South Asian legislator in state history and the first Bengali legislator in American history.Kabita Sonowal. “The Rise of Indian-American Leaders in the American Political Scene.” USINPAC, 11-28-2013. In 2016 and 2017, Mukherji was identified by POLITICO as the most prolific lawmaker in the state because of his primary sponsorship of more bills signed into law than any other legislator.“Mukherji was most prolific N.J. lawmaker of 2016.” POLITICO, 12-30-2016.“Democrat Mukherji was last session's most prolific legislator.” POLITICO, 01-31-2018.
The 32nd district includes the Hudson County municipalities of Jersey City and Hoboken.Legislative Roster, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 23, 2024.
Early life, education, and career
Born in Kolkata, India, Mukherji is the son of Bengali immigrants who arrived from India in 1970.Singh, Yoshita. “Want to see more Indian faces in US government: Raj Mukherji” rediff News, 11-27-2013.“Indian-Americans enhance political footprints in US” Pravasi Herald, 11-10-2013. His family first settled in California, and then relocated to Fanwood, New Jersey. He attended Union County Magnet High School.Gluck, Gabriel H. "County magnet school turns on tuition battle", The Star-Ledger, October 16, 1998. Accessed February 3, 2026, via Newspapers.com. "Freshmen Valerie Chu of Westfield, left, Vanessa Da Cruz of Clark and Raj Mukherji of Fanwood work on an English literature assignment under the direction of teacher Michael Duggan at the Union County Magnet High School in Scotch Plains." While he was in high school, economic circumstances forced his parents to return to their native India and he stayed behind in the United States.McDonald, Terrence T. "Hudson Newsmakers: Assemblyman Raj Mukherji talks gas tax, budget woes and more", The Jersey Journal, February 15, 2015. Accessed February 3, 2026. "Mukherji, 30, is the son of Indian immigrants. After moving from India to California and then to Fanwood, Mukherji's parents moved back to India when he was in high school, for economic reasons, he said. He remained here, started an Internet consulting and software development company, enlisted in the U.S. Marines and, eventually, graduated with a law degree from Seton Hall University." While his parents were in India, he supported himself through high school, college, and grad school as an emancipated minor. “Seton Hall Law at Work: Raj Mukherji and Michael Murphy” Alumni Features, Seton Hall University School of Law, retrieved 10-14-2014. After suffering a pituitary tumor, stroke, and other ailments, Mukherji's father – an accountant and musicianIsherwood, Darryl. “Condolences to Raj Mukherji and family.” Politicker, 03-14-2013. – could no longer work as a result of his health but could not afford health coverage without employment.“Want to see more Indian faces in US government: Raj Mukherji” Deccan Herald, 11-27-2013.
Labeled a "wunderkind" by the media,Bishop, Brad. “Owner of Dean Oil site eager to break ground.” The Record Press, 02-11-2005. Mukherji was the CEO of an Internet consulting and software development company that he founded while in the sixth grade. At age 17, Mukherji sold the company to a federal contractor in order to enlist in the Marine Corps two weeks after the September 11 terrorist attacks where he served as a reservist in military intelligence.Karsnak, Mike. At 20, he’s done it all: Lobbyist is college grad, Marine vet, and real estate whiz. The Star-Ledger, June 9, 2005.Bresswein, Kurt. “Route 22 toll bridge proposal honors Marine killed in Afghanistan.” The Express-Times, 06-23-2014. The young entrepreneur withdrew from high school at 15 to enroll in an early college program at Bard College at Simon's Rock,“Notable Simon’s Rock Alumni.” Bard College at Simon's Rock, retrieved 10-14-2014.“Newsmakers.” The Annandale Triangle, Bard College, November 2013. eventually earning his bachelor's degree from Thomas Edison State University. He also holds a Master of Public Policy from Princeton University, a Master of Liberal Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he sits on the Board of Visitors. He has performed on Broadway and in motion pictures, as a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA).
Mukherji cofounded and led as CEO companies that achieved an aggregate half billion dollars in enterprise value, spanning healthcare, information technology, medical cannabis, and real estate.“Meet the Impressive Lineup of Speakers...” Elephants DC Blog, 09-18-2014. At 19, he had cofounded a public affairs firmCasselberry, Lauren. “Hudson County Chamber of Commerce's annual Legends Ball.” The Jersey Journal, 12-13-2011. that he grew into the state's third largest lawyer-lobbying firm,“Top 10 N.J. Lawyer-Lobbyists in 2010.” New Jersey Law Journal, 03-09-2011. reportedly through his ties to New Jersey Democratic establishments and the Obama administration.OpenSecrets.org: Donor Lookup of Raj MukherjiOpenSecrets.org: Barack Obama Inauguration Donors – Top Donors Video: “Obama’s Re-election Campaign Begins.” FOXNews.com, 04-05-2011. In 2011, he was named an annual "Legends" honoree by the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce.
Prior public service At 24, Mukherji was appointed by the Mayor of Jersey City and confirmed by the City Council to replace Lori Serrano (who had been removed and was later charged with corruption) as the youngest Commissioner and Chairman to ever serve on the Jersey City Housing Authority,Koepp, Paul. “Housing Authority replaces chair with young lobbyist. The Jersey Journal, 10-27-2008. the state's second largest public housing authority and a $90 million agency serving over 16,000 residents and nearly 7,000 households. Mukherji served at the Housing Authority for over 15 years; during Mukherji's tenure, the JCHA was applauded for expanding affordable housing stock in Jersey City and by HUD for attaining the highest score for Section 8 management among similar agencies in the state.“HUD: Jersey City Housing Authority scores high rating on Section 8.” New Jersey Newsroom, 06-25-2009. The agency was also showered with federal grants and aid from the Obama administration, which dispatched then-Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan to Jersey City on multiple occasions to announce tens of millions in competitive federal grants the agency had won.Hack, Charles. “Federal HUD secretary visits Jersey City to announce $9.7 million in scarce funding will help complete Duncan Avenue housing.” The Jersey Journal, 06/03/2010.Whiten, Jon. “Jersey City Housing Authority Gets $2.1M in Federal Grant Money.” Jersey City Independent, 08-11-2010.Smith, Shane. “Jersey City Housing Authority Gets $9.7M Federal Grant for Changes at A. Harry Moore.” Jersey City Independent, 06-02-2010.Smith, Shane. “Jersey City Housing Authority Nabs $1.8M to Provide Rental Help to the Disabled.” Jersey City Independent, 10-05-2010.Hunger, Matt. “Jersey City Housing Authority Set To Receive Grant From Department of Housing and Urban Development To Build Childhood Education Center.” Jersey City Independent, February 6, 2012.Whiten, Jon. “Jersey City Public Housing Complexes to Receive $9M in Energy Efficiency Upgrades.” Jersey City Independent, 04-26-2011.“HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan Visits Communities Impacted by Hurricane Sandy.” The White House, 11-16-2012.
At 27, Mukherji was tapped to fill a vacancy as deputy mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey, the state's second largest city with a $500 million operating budget.McDonald, Terrence T. “Lobbyist and chair of the JCHA Raj Mukherji is quietly sworn in as deputy mayor.” The Jersey Journal, 03-05-2012.JerseyCityNJ.gov: 2012 Municipal Budget (Introduced) According to The Jersey Journal, while deputy mayor, Mukherji declined the $110,056 salary and a city-issued car, instead opting to earn one dollar per year due to "the austere economic climate."“Raj Mukherji named Deputy Mayor of Jersey City.” India Post, 03-08-2012.
Mukherji was previously appointed by then-U.S. Senator Jon Corzine to his Military Academy Board in 2003. In 2004, Governor Jim McGreevey appointed him to the Governor's Council on Volunteerism and Community Service. He was also a Superior Court-appointed member of the Juvenile Conference Committee.
Legislative career In the Legislature, Mukherji has been a primary sponsor of hundreds of bills that passed both houses and were signed into law, including: Enacting a comprehensive, bipartisan overhaul of the state's outdated and ineffective bail system and expanding legal aid for low-income New Jerseyans;“Bail Overhaul Wins Passage in New Jersey.” Office of the Governor, 08-11-2014.“New Jersey Assembly Judiciary Committee to Vote Thursday on Bill to Reform Costly and Ineffective Bail System.” Drug Policy Alliance, 06-11-2014.“NJ Criminal Justice System Reform Bill Signed Into Law.” The Lakewood Scoop, 08-12-2014. Combating the state's heroin, opiate, and prescription drug addiction epidemic by requiring physicians and pharmacists to access the state's Prescription Monitoring Program to prevent "doctor shopping;"“Governor Christie Strengthens New Jersey’s Prescription Monitoring Program to Further Curb Prescription Drug Abuse.” Office of the Governor, 07-20-2015.