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
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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Op-Ed - Changes to School Funding Formula Explained
By Vin Gopal
The state aid school funding numbers the governor released last week will bring much-needed stability after years of volatility and ensure that districts can better plan their budgets and continue providing quality education for students. They were a step toward making funding more equitable, with nearly 70 percent of New Jersey’s school districts seeing an increase in state aid.
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Understanding Changes to School Funding Formula
By Vin Gopal
The state aid school funding numbers the governor released last week were a step toward making funding more equitable, with nearly 70 percent of New Jersey’s school districts seeing an increase in state aid. This shift brings much-needed stability after years of volatility, ensuring that districts can better plan their budgets and continue providing quality education for students.
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Ensuring Cancer Patients and Healthcare Professionals Have Health Insurance Protection
By Vin Gopal
Two of our bills to protect the right to healthcare insurance for cancer patients and newly hired hospital healthcare professionals advanced in the State Senate last week.
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Legislation to Boost Recruitment of Volunteer First Responders Advances
By Vin Gopal
Volunteer firefighters, first-aid and rescue squads and first responders are the backbone of our emergency services, selflessly embracing the responsibility for our safety, security, and wellbeing.
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