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
Constituent Concerns Drive Legislation
Continue reading →By Vin Gopal
Our office understands the importance of listening to constituents. Often, many of our constituents express similar concerns, especially related to their safety, affordability issues, education, and accessing important community resources. These conversations are crucial in driving our legislative agendas. We would love to take the opportunity to provide some insight into that process.
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School Funding Transparency
Continue reading →By Vin Gopal
We have been working in the Legislature to find ways of helping local school districts cut their costs and making the school funding process more transparent and efficient. We want to share a few of our priorities when the State Senate and Assembly go back into session in May.
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Making Telemedicine Coverage Permanent
Continue reading →By Vin Gopal
Ever since the COVID 19 pandemic hit us in the beginning of 2020, the Legislative District 11 office has worked hard - and successfully - to ensure telemedicine and telehealth are available to residents.
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Celebrating the Diversity of LD11 Residents
Continue reading →By Vin Gopal
During March and February, we hosted celebrations of Black history, Irish American heritage, women’s history and Greek Independence. It’s gratifying to report that the high turnouts at these events show that LD11 residents share our interest in meeting and learning about their neighbors who come from different backgrounds.
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Mandatory Consolidation will Save Taxpayers Money and Improve Education
Continue reading →By Vin Gopal
New Jersey has over 600 school districts. More than 200 of them have less than 500 students. Many of them have buildings less than 30 percent full. Some of them have dramatically increased administrative costs, hiring more and more administrators, while their enrollment has gone down. Recently - the president of the Colts Neck School Board, who is focused on protecting the status quo and her own position of power - lashed out against us for suggesting we should start mandating the regionalization of services.
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