Julio MarencoArchived

Julio Marenco

State HouseDemocrat

NJ-AD-33 State House

Hispanic·Member of NJ Legislative Latino Caucus

Why This Race Matters

Marenco's term ended January 13, 2026 after he chose not to seek re-election to focus on his role as Executive Director of the North Bergen Housing Authority. His single term was marked by the passage of A3871, requiring Latino and Hispanic history in all NJ K-12 schools, a first-of-its-kind law in the state.

Marenco was initially on Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop's gubernatorial slate before withdrawing from his re-election bid. State Senator Brian Stack backed Gabe Rodriguez and Larry Wainstein to replace him in LD-33. Won his 2023 general election with 48.5% of the vote, defeating Republican Lea Sherman.

About

Julio Marenco is a former New Jersey Assemblyman who represented the 33rd Legislative District (Hudson County) from January 2024 to January 2026. A bilingual, lifelong North Hudson resident raised in Union City, he served on nuclear submarines in the U.S. Navy from 1990-1994 before using the GI Bill to earn degrees from Montclair State, Seton Hall Law, and Fairleigh Dickinson. His landmark legislation requiring Latino and Hispanic history in New Jersey K-12 schools was signed into law by Governor Murphy in September 2025.

Family & Heritage

Raised in Union City, New Jersey, a predominantly Latino community in Hudson County. Bilingual lifelong North Hudson resident.

Political Career

Before Politics

U.S. Navy (nuclear submarines, 1990-1994); Attorney; Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University (Teaneck); North Bergen Board of Education trustee and president (2002-2015); North Bergen Commissioner of Revenue and Finance (2015-2023); NJ State Parole Board member (2010-2024); Assistant Director, NJ Department of Corrections; Executive Director, North Bergen Housing Authority (September 2024-present)

Education

Montclair State University (B.A.); Seton Hall University School of Law (J.D.); Fairleigh Dickinson University (M.A.)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Latino and Hispanic history in education
*Criminal justice reform
*Veterans affairs
*Education equity
*Public housing