Summary

Herbert Clark Hoover Conaway Jr. (born January 30, 1963) is an American physician and politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1998, where he represents the 7th Legislative District.

Conaway served in the Assembly as the Majority Whip from 2014 to 2017, and was the Deputy Speaker from 2002 to 2005 and again starting in 2022. He is the winner of New Jersey’s 3rd district seat in the 2024 U.S. House of Representatives election, where he ran as Democrat.

OnAir Post: Herbert C. Conaway Jr. NJ-03

About

Source: Campaign Site

Herbert C. Conaway Jr. NJ-03 1Dr. Herb Conaway, the son of a teacher and nurse, is a proud lifelong resident of Burlington County. Shaped by the service of his parents and community, Herb knew from a young age he wanted to serve his community and pursued an education in medicine after graduating from public high school. Dr. Conaway received an undergrad degree from Princeton University, a medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and finally a law degree from Rutgers Law School in Camden.

After finishing his education, Herb joined the U.S. Air Force, becoming a Captain in the Medical Corps at McGuire Air Force Base. There, he served as general medical officer and rose to assistant director of the primary care clinic during his four years of service.

Following his internal medicine residency, Dr. Conaway began practice in primary care settings before moving on to work as a clinical professor in an inner-city, community hospital teaching the next generation of physicians.

Dr. Conaway has faithfully served the residents of the 7th Legislative District as an Assemblyman for 25 years. In the New Jersey Legislature, Dr. Conaway was Chairman of the Health Committee, a member of the Budget Committee, and a member of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. In these roles, Dr. Conaway played a leading role in passing New Jersey’s most significant health laws; sponsored New Jersey’s school funding formula; increased fiscal accountability within school districts; added technology to core curriculum standards; and modernized nutritional standards in public schools. Finally, he sponsored successful legislation on environmental protection, property tax relief, veterans services, and public safety.

Web Links

Politics

Source: Wikipedia

Conaway was first elected to the General Assembly from the 7th District in 1997 as the top vote getter. The same election saw his running mate and second-place finisher, Jack Conners, be seated then removed due to voting machine issues and replaced in September 1998 by Republican Kenneth William Faulkner.  Conners was subsequently elected in a 1998 special election and the two served together from the 7th district from that point until 2011 when Conners resigned. Since late 2011, his Assembly associate from the district was Troy Singleton, until Singleton was elected to the New Jersey Senate. Since 2018, his Assembly associate has been Carol A. Murphy. He served as the Assembly’s Deputy Speaker from 2002 to 2005.

Calling the proposed bill a “recipe for disaster” that could result in the spread of disease, Conaway opposed legislation proposed by Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk that would give parents the right to exclude their children from mandatory vaccinations, after hearings held in March 2011 by the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee.  In 2019, Conaway supported legislation eliminating religious exemptions from mandatory vaccination requirements for students to be eligible to attend school.

Finances

Source: Vote Smart

New Legislation

Issues

Source: Campaign page

Economy

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve all felt prices rise. This is why it is so important for us to re-elect a member of Congress who fights hard to lessen the tax burden on middle-class families, protect small businesses, and bring more job opportunities to NJ-03. During my time in the State Assembly, I was a member of both the Appropriations and Budget Committees. This allowed me to fight for the priorities of the middle class and help put more money back into the pockets of New Jerseyans. During the pandemic, I supported the “New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020”, which provided $14 billion in relief to small businesses and restaurants. I also supported the creation of the Stay NJ property tax credit program and sponsored the “Manufacturing in Higher Education Act”, which promotes manufacturing career pathways for students and will add scores of jobs to the manufacturing industry.

In Congress, I have continued my fight for middle-class families and their financial security because they need all the help that they can get. I am an advocate for expanding the Child Tax Credit and the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. I also believe in making household needs more affordable and strengthening consumer power. This is why I support the “Shrinkflation Reduction Act of 2024”, which would prohibit corporations from deceptively decreasing the sizes of their products without lowering the price commensurately. It’s policies such as these that will enhance the economic prosperity of NJ-03 and its citizens.

Reproductive Rights

As a doctor who has made women’s health a priority throughout my 25 years in the state Assembly, I was appalled when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June of 2022. Now, the stakes have never been higher. With some Republicans in Congress vowing to pass a national abortion ban, it is imperative that we re-elect someone with a proven record of defending reproductive health.

As your Congressman, I am taking my track record in Trenton to our nation’s capital. It is of the utmost importance that we codify Roe v. Wade into national law so that we can protect the women of this country and their right to choose. I also plan on introducing and supporting other pieces of legislation that focus on strengthening women’s healthcare rights even further.

This includes legislation such as the Right to Contraception Act, previously introduced by Rep. Kathy Manning (D-NC), which would set out statutory protections for an individual’s right to access and a health care provider’s right to provide contraception. In the Assembly, I co-sponsored bill A3975, which protected the nondisclosure of patient information relating to reproductive healthcare services and protected access to services related to abortion for out-of-state persons. As your Congressman, I will continue to fight for such legislation on the national level.

Protecting Democracy

In today’s America, it is imperative that we ensure our democracy is safe and protected. January 6th made it clear that we are facing challenges to our democratic institutions on a national scale. The Civil Rights Movement taught us that democracy is secured at the ballot box. This is why strengthening voting rights allows us to further strengthen our democracy as a whole. No other bill would strengthen these rights more than the John Lewis Voting Rights Act introduced by  Rep. Terri Sewell. When passed, this bill will strengthen and restore sections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that were restricted by the Supreme Court in their Shelby v. Holder decision. In Congress, I enthusiastically support its passage. In the Assembly, I sponsored bills that improve the ballot counting process and have fought to establish a Voting Improvement Task Force. These efforts underlie my goals of getting as many people involved in our electoral process as possible. In order to ensure complete democratic stability, I will pursue further efforts to establish Election Day as a federal holiday and conduct research into the utilization of blockchain technology to secure our election information.

Lowering Prescription Drug Prices

As a doctor, I find it outrageous that the prices of prescription drugs in the United States are exponentially higher than they are anywhere else in the world. The manufacturer price for any given type of insulin in the US is at $98.70 per vial, five to ten times higher than in any other developed and high-income country. Insulin is a medical necessity for many Americans who live with diabetes. This is why I supported efforts in the State Assembly to cap co-pays for 30-day supplies of several life-saving drugs- including epinephrine injectors, asthma inhalers, and insulin. As Chair of the Health Committee, I personally led efforts to create more transparency within New Jersey’s pharmaceutical industry. This includes requiring pharmacy practice sites to document reasons for not filling certain prescriptions and requiring health care practitioners to inform patients of the addiction potential of controlled dangerous substances prior to issuing prescriptions.

Because these issues are so dear to my heart, I will support efforts that take New Jersey’s life-saving drug cost caps to the national level. Issues like these explain why we need to re-elect someone to Congress who possesses an exemplary knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry and who has a history of fixing complex health policy problems.

Environment

We need to make our world better today in order to secure a more prosperous tomorrow, not just for us but for our children. No other issue communicates that message better than the environment. Since I’ve been in the state Assembly I have fought hard to protect and preserve our amazing ecosystem. Last legislative session, I introduced legislation that establishes the “New Jersey Invasive Species Task Force” as well as introduced a bill that provides income tax credits for the purchase of zero-emission lawn equipment. On the national level, I continue to endorse policies aimed at making us more environmentally secure. This includes funding research aimed at maintaining sustainable environmental practices and supporting legislation to expand access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure in our district.

More Information

Wikipedia


Herbert Clark Hoover Conaway Jr.[1] (born January 30, 1963) is an American physician and politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative from New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district. Previously, he served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1998 to 2025, where he represented the 7th Legislative District.

Conaway served in the Assembly as the Majority Whip from 2014 to 2017, and was the Deputy Speaker from 2002 to 2005 and again starting in 2022.[2] He won New Jersey’s 3rd district in the 2024 U.S. House of Representatives election, where he ran as the Democratic nominee.

Early life

Conaway was born at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton on January 30, 1963, to Eva Christine Conaway (née Godard), a nurse at the hospital, and Herb Conaway Sr., a history teacher at Bordentown Regional High School.[3][4][5] He grew up in Bordentown, attending high school there. Conaway graduated with an A.B. in politics from Princeton University in 1985 after completing a 67-page long senior thesis titled “Black Political Strategy.”[6] He then received an M.D. degree from Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and was awarded a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law—Newark.[2] He is the only member of the legislature to hold both an M.D. degree and a J.D. degree.[7]

Conaway served in the United States Air Force Medical Corps from 1992 to 1996, reaching the rank of Captain.[2] He served at McGuire Air Force Base in Burlington County as general medical officer and as assistant director of the primary care clinic.[7] He continues to practice medicine whilst serving in the legislature. He specializes in internal medicine and currently serves as director of the internal medicine clinic at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton. He formerly worked at Cooper University Hospital and had a practice in Willingboro.[5] Formerly a resident of Delanco Township, he now lives in Moorestown.[5][7][8]

New Jersey Assembly

Conaway was first elected to the General Assembly from the 7th District in 1997 as the top vote getter. The same election saw his running mate and second-place finisher, Jack Conners, be seated then removed due to voting machine issues and replaced in September 1998 by Republican Kenneth William Faulkner.[9] Conners was subsequently elected in a 1998 special election and the two served together from the 7th district from that point until 2011 when Conners resigned. Since late 2011, his Assembly associate from the district was Troy Singleton, until Singleton was elected to the New Jersey Senate. Since 2018, his Assembly associate has been Carol A. Murphy. He served as the Assembly’s Deputy Speaker from 2002 to 2005.

Calling the proposed bill a “recipe for disaster” that could result in the spread of disease, Conaway opposed legislation proposed by Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk that would give parents the right to exclude their children from mandatory vaccinations, after hearings held in March 2011 by the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee.[10] In 2019, Conaway supported legislation eliminating religious exemptions from mandatory vaccination requirements for students to be eligible to attend school.[11]

Committee assignments

Committee assignments for the current session are:[12]

  • Health, Chair
  • Budget
  • Military and Veterans’ Affairs

District 7

Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly.[13] The representatives from the 7th District for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:[14]

Campaigns for the United States House of Representatives

Conaway ran for the United States House of Representatives for New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district in the 2004 election, losing to Republican Jim Saxton[15] Conway considered another run for the 3rd district in the 2024 election after incumbent Democrat Andy Kim decided to run for Senate, before officially deciding to enter in December 2023 after winning re-election.[16][17] Conaway became the Democratic candidate to succeed Kim in the 2024 U.S. House of Representatives election after defeating his legislative district-mate, Carol A. Murphy, in a primary in June.[18]

Electoral history

Congress

New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district, 2024[19][20]
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticHerb Conaway 27,528 49.62
DemocraticCarol A. Murphy14,04925.32
DemocraticJoe Cohn6,51711.75
DemocraticSarah Schoengood5,5249.96
DemocraticBrian Schkeeper1,8623.36
Total votes55,480 100.00
General election
DemocraticHerb Conaway 202,034 53.2
RepublicanRajesh Mohan169,45444.6
GreenSteven Welzer3,4780.9
LibertarianChris Russomanno1,9510.5
IndependentDouglas Wynn1,3320.3
IndependentJustin Barbera1,2350.3
Total votes379,484 100.00
New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district, 2004[21][22]
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticHerb Conaway 11,731 100.00
Total votes11,731 100.00
General election
RepublicanJim Saxton (incumbent) 195,938 63.44
DemocraticHerb Conaway107,03434.65
U.S. Marijuana PartyR. Edward Forchion4,9141.59
LibertarianFrank Orland9760.32
Total votes308,862 100.00

Assembly

7th Legislative District General Election, 2023[23]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticHerbert C. Conaway Jr. (incumbent) 32,608 33.5
DemocraticCarol Murphy (incumbent) 31,936 32.8
RepublicanDouglas Dillon16,36816.8
RepublicanEileen Bleistine16,35016.8
Total votes97,262 100.0
Democratic hold
New Jersey general election, 2021
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticHerb Conaway 45,728 30.98%
DemocraticCarol Murphy 45,170 30.60%
RepublicanDouglas Dillon28,57919.36%
RepublicanJoseph Jesuele28,13919.06%
Total votes147,616 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2017[24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticHerb Conaway 39,879 33.1 Increase 2.5
DemocraticCarol Murphy 38,819 32.3 Increase 2.4
RepublicanOctavia Scott20,94117.4Decrease 1.9
RepublicanRobert Thibault20,72617.2Decrease 1.7
Total votes120,365 100.0

[25]

New Jersey general election, 2015
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticHerb Conaway 22,559 30.6 Increase 2.6
DemocraticTroy Singleton 22,056 29.9 Increase 2.1
RepublicanBill Conley14,27219.3Decrease 3.1
RepublicanRob Prisco13,94918.9Decrease 2.9
Total votes‘72,836′ 100.0

[26]

New Jersey general election, 2013
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticHerb Conaway 34,978 28.0 Increase 1.8
DemocraticTroy Singleton 34,772 27.8 Increase 2.2
RepublicanAnthony Ogozalek27,99122.4Decrease 1.9
RepublicanJeff Banasz27,23321.8Decrease 2.1
Total votes‘124,974′ 100.0

[27]

New Jersey general election, 2011
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticHerb Conaway 23,908 26.2
DemocraticTroy Singleton 23,403 25.6
RepublicanJames “Jim” Keenan22,14424.3
RepublicanChristopher Halgas21,82823.9
Total votes91,283 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2009[28]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticHerb Conaway 36,127 31.9 Increase 3.7
DemocraticJack Conners 35,156 31.0 Increase 3.0
RepublicanLeah J. Arter21,33218.8Decrease 3.2
RepublicanHarry Adams20,76318.3Decrease 3.5
Write-InPersonal choice200.02N/A
Total votes113,398 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2007[29]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticHerb Conaway 22,865 28.2 Decrease 4.6
DemocraticJack Conners 22,760 28.0 Decrease 4.2
RepublicanBrian Propp17,84322.0Increase 4.0
RepublicanNancy Griffin17,74121.8Increase 4.8
Total votes81,209 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2005[30]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticHerb Conaway 36,221 32.8 Increase 6.6
DemocraticJack Conners 35,562 32.2 Increase 6.1
RepublicanJoe Donnelly19,90218.0Decrease 6.4
RepublicanMike Savala18,71817.0Decrease 6.3
Total votes110,403 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2003[31]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticHerb Conaway 22,161 26.2 Decrease 3.3
DemocraticJack Conners 22,059 26.1 Decrease 3.6
RepublicanJean Stanfield20,60024.4Increase 4.1
RepublicanMike Savala19,72723.3Increase 3.6
Total votes84,547 100.0
New Jersey general election, 2001[32]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticJack Conners 31,703 29.7
DemocraticHerb Conaway 31,547 29.5
RepublicanClara Ruvolo21,74020.3
RepublicanAubrey A. Fenton21,06619.7
ConservativeHosey Best8500.8
Total votes106,906 100.0
New Jersey general election, 1999[33]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticJack Conners 20,667 27.7 Increase 3.1
DemocraticHerb Conaway, MD 20,517 27.5 Increase 2.9
RepublicanGary Daniels16,08621.6Decrease 2.9
RepublicanClara Ruvolo15,33820.6Decrease 1.9
ConservativeNorman E. Wahner1,0251.4Increase 0.4
ConservativeHosey Best8961.2Increase 0.1
Total votes74,529 100.0
New Jersey general election, 1997[34]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticHerbert C. Conaway Jr. 27,447 24.63 Increase 3.2
DemocraticJack Conners 27,402 24.59 Increase 3.4
RepublicanKen Faulkner27,33524.53Decrease 3.2
RepublicanGeorge Williams25,12222.5Decrease 3.0
ConservativeHosey Best1,2571.1N/A
ConservativeRaymond Hellings1,0911.0N/A
ReformCarmen S. Zarrelli9000.8N/A
ReformGeorge Guzdek8800.8Decrease 0.7
Total votes111,434 100.0

References

  1. ^ “Rep. Herb Conaway – D New Jersey, 3rd – Biography”. LegiStorm. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Assemblyman Conaway’s legislative web page Archived January 24, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 23, 2022.
  3. ^ “Assemblyman Herb Conaway Jr., M.D. Bio Page”. NJ Assembly Majority Office. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  4. ^ Staff (July 25, 2014). “Rest in Peace: Eva Christine Conaway”. Politicker NJ. Archived from the original on January 13, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c Kitchenman, Andrew (May 20, 2015). “Profile: Assemblyman Brings Physician’s Perspective to Healthcare Issues”. NJ Spotlight. Archived from the original on January 13, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  6. ^ Conaway, Herbert (1985). “Black Political Strategy”. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ a b c Herb Conaway, M.D. profile, Denison for State Senate / Conaway & Conners for State Assembly. Accessed August 8, 2007. Archived July 7, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Assembly Member Herbert C. ‘Herb’ Conaway Jr. Archived October 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Project Vote Smart. Accessed August 8, 2007.
  9. ^ Staff. “Conners Ordered To Leave Assembly \ A Disputed Election Led To A Ruling That A Republican Must Take His Seat, Setting Stage For Rematch With Ken Faulkner.” Archived July 21, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 3, 1998. Accessed June 23, 2010.
  10. ^ Friedman, Matt. “N.J. Assemblyman rejects parents’ plea for more say on kids’ vaccinations” Archived March 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2011. Accessed March 17, 2011.
  11. ^ Floor Statement – Assembly January 31, 2019 by Herb Conaway Archived December 10, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed December 11, 2019.
  12. ^ Carol A. Murphy (D) Archived May 20, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 23, 2022.
  13. ^ New Jersey State Constitution 1947 (Updated Through Amendments Adopted in November, 2020): Article IV, Section II Archived February 5, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 28, 2022.
  14. ^ Legislative Roster for District 7 Archived January 13, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 22, 2024.
  15. ^ Mansnerus, Laura. “ON POLITICS; Clueless in New Jersey, Or Refreshingly Out of Touch?”, The New York Times, November 7, 2004. Accessed July 23, 2009.
  16. ^ Wildstein, David (October 14, 2023). “Conaway appears likely to run for Congress in NJ-3”. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  17. ^ Wildstein, David (December 7, 2023). “Herb Conaway enters race for Andy Kim’s House seat”. New Jersey Globe. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  18. ^ Conaway wins Democratic primary in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District Archived August 28, 2024, at the Wayback Machine, WHYY News, June 4, 2024
  19. ^ Secretary of State of New Jersey (December 5, 2024). “Official General Election Results: U.S. House of Representatives” (PDF). Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  20. ^ Secretary of State of New Jersey (July 2, 2024). “Official Primary Election Results: U.S. House of Representatives” (PDF). Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  21. ^ Secretary of State of New Jersey (November 30, 2004). “Official General Election Results: U.S. House of Representatives” (PDF). Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  22. ^ Secretary of State of New Jersey (June 9, 2024). “Primary Election Results: U.S. House of Representatives” (PDF). Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  23. ^ “Candidates for General Assembly – For GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2023 Election” (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  24. ^ “2017-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf” (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  25. ^ “2015-official-ge-results-nj-general-assembly.pdf” (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 30, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  26. ^ “2013-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf” (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 7, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  27. ^ “2011-official-gen-elect-gen-assembly-results-121411.pdf” (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 14, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  28. ^ “2009-official-gen-elect-gen-assembly-tallies-120109.pdf” (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 4, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  29. ^ “2007-official-general-election-tallies(ga)-12.12.07.pdf” (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  30. ^ “05831236.pdf” (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 11, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  31. ^ “2003g_a_candidate_tally.pdf” (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  32. ^ “2001-general-elect-gen-assembly-tallies.pdf” (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 5, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  33. ^ “1999-general-elect-gen-assembly-candidate-tallies.pdf” (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 29, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  34. ^ “1997-general-election-results-state-assembly.pdf” (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 29, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by

 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district
2025–present		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by

 United States representatives by seniority
383rd		Succeeded by


source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Conaway