About - Senator Vin Gopal
State Senator Vin Gopal was elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2023 with more than 60% of the vote in a landslide election in what is considered one of New Jersey’s most politically competitive districts. Senator Gopal has championed legislation to provide aid for education and local businesses; provided property tax rebates for taxpayers, seniors and veterans; made life more affordable for seniors; make mental health services more accessible, improved public safety and teared down barriers to employment and services for members of the disabilities community - with dozens of his bills signed into law.
During his first two terms in the Senate, Senator Gopal served on a number of committees in leadership positions - including, Co-Chair of the Legislative Manufacturing Caucus, Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Vice-Chair of Senate Transportation, Vice-Chair of Senate Tourism and as a Member of the Senate Health Committee. Senator Gopal currently chairs the Senate Education Committee and serves as Senate Majority Conference Leader. He also serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee. In his 30s, Senator Gopal is currently the youngest member of the NJ State Senate and the first South-Asian American to be elected to the Senate in New Jersey history.
A dedicated volunteer who works with many nonprofit organizations to assist people in need, Senator Gopal is also the Founder and President of the Vin Gopal Civic Association, a 501c(3) organization dedicated to helping Monmouth County charities and individuals in need. His community contributions as a volunteer include serving as a past Board of Trustees Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County, and he served for many years as a volunteer first responder and EMT. He is also a former Adjunct Professor at Monmouth University and is currently the co-chair of the Monmouth University School of Civil Discourse.
An entrepreneur, Senator Gopal has started and built several businesses and is currently a business consultant and coach. Senator Gopal has served on the Board of Directors for the Northern Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce, and as President of the Hazlet Township Business Owners Association. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, he created a districtwide organization of business, community, church, and nonprofits leaders to address the challenges of the coronavirus to the local economy.
Born in Neptune Township and raised in Monmouth County, Senator Gopal holds a Masters in Public Administration from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University. He resides with his wife, daughter and puppy in Long Branch.
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What's New
Netflix Studios: A Boost to Monmouth County Small Businesses, NJ Economy
By Vin Gopal
The local small businesses, labor unions, chambers of commerce, and other stakeholders were curious when they arrived at Monmouth University for a meeting that we hosted with Netflix executives in 2023.
They left excited.
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Op-Ed: Standing Against Federal Cuts to Law Enforcement, EMS, Crime Victims
By Vin Gopal
The federal government’s decision to cancel hundreds of public safety grants that support law enforcement, firefighters, and victim services places all of us in danger.
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Strengthing Protections for Sexual Assault Victims
By Vin Gopal
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and we stand with the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and many New Jersey organizations, dedicated professionals, and law enforcement agencies working to increase awareness, help victims, and prevent sexual assault.
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Federal Education Funding Cuts Devastating to NJ Schools
By Vin Gopal
President Trump’s executive order to dismantle and ultimately close the U.S. Department of Education is an unprecedented attack on public education that threatens to destabilize schools, educators, students, and families across New Jersey.
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NJ Senate Education Chairman Vin Gopal’s Statement on the Announcement of the Dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education
TRENTON, NJ - New Jersey Senate Education Chairman Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order directing Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon to dismantle the Department of Education to the fullest extent possible:
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