Here’s why we enthusiastically endorse Damali Robinson for LD38 Assembly:

Candidate order: The bill to reform New Jersey’s primary ballots (A5116) moves New Jersey closer to fair primaries by eliminating the county line ballot and instituting an office block ballot design. However, candidate order for the primary ballot will still be determined by the County Clerk or Municipal Clerk drawing names out of a bin. This provides an advantage for the candidate drawn in first position and has resulted in some clerks drawing the party endorsed candidates for first position a statistically improbable number of times. I support the following reform that would ensure a more fair candidate order on the ballot:
Rotating the order of candidates for each office by voting precinct, so each candidate appears on the ballot first, second, and so forth, approximately the same number of times (see the recently introduced bill A5181) 

Comment: I fully support leveling the playing field for all candidates by advocating for office block ballots and eliminating the manipulative ballot design that gives an unfair advantage to establishment-backed candidates. Elections should be about ideas, qualifications, and community support—not ballot positioning that tricks voters into making choices based on placement rather than policy. The current system prioritizes party insiders and discourages competitive, grassroots campaigns. We need a fair, transparent election process that gives all candidates—especially those running on progressive platforms that challenge the status quo—an equal shot at earning the support of the people they seek to serve. If elected, I will fight for ballot reform that restores integrity to our democratic process.

Slogans: I support prohibiting the use of slogans to express party endorsements on primary election ballots. New Jersey is the only state that allows primary candidates to use slogans to indicate endorsements.

Comment: Yes, I support prohibiting the use of slogans on primary election ballots—but only if this prohibition is applied consistently across the board, including for candidates endorsed by county committees. New Jersey is the only state that allows primary candidates to use slogans as a way to indicate endorsements, and in its current form, this practice unfairly benefits establishment-backed candidates while disadvantaging grassroots challengers.

If slogans are prohibited, it must be done in a way that creates a level playing field and does not allow county-endorsed candidates to continue benefiting from an unfair advantage. Equal treatment is essential for ensuring fair elections where voters make decisions based on merit, not manipulated ballot design. I will advocate for reforms that eliminate political favoritism in our election system and ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to compete.

Voter access: I support adopting parts of H.R.1 in New Jersey in order to increase voter participation, ensure access to the ballot box, and strengthen elections, including specifically same day registration, early voting and a paper trail for machine voting that enables verification.

Comment: Yes, I strongly support adopting key provisions of H.R.1 in New Jersey to increase voter participation, expand ballot access, and strengthen election integrity. Our democracy is strongest when every eligible voter has a fair and accessible way to participate, which is why I support same-day voter registration, expanded early voting, and a verifiable paper trail for machine voting. These reforms protect the integrity of our elections while making it easier for working families, veterans, young people, and historically disenfranchised communities to make their voices heard. In a state where manipulative ballot design and insider politics already create barriers for challengers, it is essential that we fight for fair, transparent, and accessible elections for all New Jerseyans. If elected, I will champion policies that ensure every voter—regardless of zip code, background, or political affiliation—can fully participate in our democracy.

Ethics reform: I support ethics reforms that would require broader disclosure of financial information and the release of income taxes by candidates for county-level and state-level public office, as a means of transparency.

Comment: I strongly support ethics reforms requiring broader financial disclosures and the release of income taxes for county and state-level candidates. Transparency is essential to restoring public trust and ensuring leaders serve the people, not special interests. Voters deserve to know if elected officials have conflicts of interest that could influence their decisions.

Requiring financial disclosures and tax returns would increase accountability, prevent corruption, and reduce dark money’s influence in politics. If elected, I will fight for stronger ethics and transparency laws to ensure all officials are accountable to the people they serve.

Campaign funding: I support the public funding of campaigns for all state-level elected offices (i.e., the state legislature and gubernatorial elections).

Comment: I strongly support the public funding of campaigns for all state-level elected offices, including the state legislature and gubernatorial elections. New Jersey’s current system favors wealthy, well-connected candidates while shutting out grassroots challengers who are running to represent the people, not party insiders or corporate donors.

Public funding would level the playing field, allowing more diverse, community-driven candidates to run viable campaigns without relying on pay-to-play politics or big money interests. Fair elections require fair campaign financing, where success is determined by ideas and voter support—not access to deep-pocketed donors.

Redistricting: I support placing a nonpartisan commission in charge of the legislative redistricting process.

Comment: I would support a truly independent redistricting commission, but with clear safeguards to ensure accountability, transparency, and fair representation for all communities. I would want public oversight, diverse representation on the commission, and protections against political interference to make sure New Jersey voters—not party bosses—determine their political future.

Public Advocate: I support passing legislation to reinstate the statewide Office of the Public Advocate that was eliminated in 2010.

Comment: I support reinstating the Office of the Public Advocate, with support to ensure it has real authority, adequate funding, and accountability measures to prevent it from becoming another ineffective bureaucratic layer. The government should work for the people, not political insiders, and this office could play a key role in ensuring New Jersey residents have a strong, independent advocate fighting for their rights.

Posting of state bills: I support requiring that bills be posted in written form at least 72 hours prior to committee discussion or vote, and that budget bills be posted at least 5 business days in advance of discussion or vote, to improve transparency in the legislative process.

Comment: Lawmakers should not be rushing through legislation behind closed doors or expecting the public to react to complex policies at the last minute. As a Board of Education President, veteran, and healthcare professional, I know that good decision-making requires time, transparency, and public input. Constituents deserve to review, understand, and weigh in on legislation that affects their lives before it is voted on. These reforms would help ensure that laws are written and passed in the best interest of the people, not political insiders.

State legislative meetings: I support making all committee meetings accessible to the public for attendance and testimony by online means (e.g., via zoom) and streaming of voting sessions to increase availability and transparency of government.

Comment: In today’s world, where technology allows us to connect instantly, there is no reason why legislative meetings should remain inaccessible to the very people they impact. I understand the importance of public engagement in decision-making as a local elected official. Many working families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities cannot always attend meetings in person, and they shouldn’t be shut out of the process.

As President of the Glen Rock Board of Education, I have worked to ensure that our board meetings are streamed and stored online, allowing residents to stay informed and engaged even when they can’t attend in person. We are continually looking for innovative ways to reach our community and remain accessible, ensuring transparency and accountability in every decision we make. Expanding online access at the state level would allow more people to participate in democracy, hold their representatives accountable, and have a voice in shaping policy.

Full time legislature: I support making the state legislature full-time and prohibiting the simultaneous holding of other paid positions, so as to eliminate conflicts of interest and sources of influence and pressure on state legislators.

Comment: I support eliminating conflicts of interest in the legislature and ensuring that lawmakers are fully dedicated to serving their constituents. However, I believe we must balance this with the need to keep public service accessible to professionals like teachers, doctors, nurses, educators, and small business owners. If we transition to a full-time legislature, we need to ensure that it does not discourage working professionals from running for office, as diverse voices make for better policymaking. Making the legislature full-time may lead to a government dominated by lifelong politicians rather than professionals bringing real-world expertise into policymaking. Public service should not be limited to career politicians or the independently wealthy.

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More information about Damali Robinson:

Email: damali@damaliforLD38.com
Phone: 908-966-1585
Campaign website: www.damaliforLD38.com
Social media: https://linktr.ee/DamaliRobinson
Party affiliation: Democratic party

Date of Birth: 8/6/1983
Current Occupation: Nurse Anesthesiologist
Education: I have a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesia from Northeastern University/US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (2015), where I maintained a 3.8 GPA. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Felician College, graduating Cum Laude, and began my career with an Associate of Science in Nursing from Union County College.

Public/party service:
US Army Military Service: (2009-2012 Reserves, 2012-2020 Active duty, 2020-2025 Reserves)

U.S. Army Veteran – Served as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and officer in the U.S. Army with terminal rank as a Major.

Assistant Chief CRNA, Keller Army Community Hospital (2019-2020) – Provided leadership and oversight in military healthcare operations in the Department of Surgery.

CRNA, Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital, South Korea (2018-2019) – Served in an overseas military medical facility, ensuring high-quality anesthesia care for service members and their families.

CRNA, Winn Army Community Hospital, Fort Stewart, GA (2015-2018) – Delivered critical anesthesia care to military personnel and their families.

CRNA, Multinational Force Observers, Damage Control Surgical Team, Sinai Peninsula (2017) — Sole anesthesia provider for a multinational contingent in the Sinai desert to support MFO operations.

U.S. Army Reserve Officer (2009-2012 and 2020-2025) – CRNA in the U.S. Army Reserves, supporting military medical readiness and veteran care.

Public Service in my local community: Elected to the Glen Rock Board of Education in 2020 and re-elected in 2023. Vice President of the Board of Education in 2023. Board President in 2024 and 2025.