David Bailey (New Jersey politician)

David Bailey Jr. is an American Democratic Party politician serving as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 3rd legislative district, taking office on January 9, 2024.

David Bailey Jr.
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 3rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2024 Serving with Heather Simmons
Preceded by	Beth Sawyer Bethanne McCarthy Patrick
Personal details
Political party	Democratic
Education	Pennsylvania State University Eastern University

Biography

Born and raised in Alloway Township, New Jersey, Bailey attended Woodstown High School.^[1] He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice and Eastern University with a master's degree in non-profit management. Bailey currently resides in Woodstown, New Jersey.^[2]

For more than 15 years, Bailey has led Ranch Hope, a nonprofit organization founded by his father, which provides behavioral health care, education, short-term shelter care, supportive housing, and adventure-based services for thousands of children and families annually.^[3]

Elective office

Baily was selected as part of a Democratic slate that included Heather Simmons for Assembly and Senate candidate John Burzichelli.^[3]

In the 2023 New Jersey General Assembly election, Bailey and his Democratic running mate Heather Simmons, defeated Republican incumbent Bethanne McCarthy Patrick and her running mate Thomas J. Tedesco.^[4][5] Bailey was one of 27 members elected for the first time in 2023 to serve in the General Assembly, more than one-third of the seats.^[6]

District 3

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.^[7] Representatives from the 3rd District for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:^[8]

• Senator John Burzichelli (D)
• Assemblyman David Bailey (D)
• Assemblywoman Heather Simmons (D)

Electoral history

3rd Legislative District General Election, 2023^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Heather Simmons	30,861	25.6
	Democratic	Dave Bailey Jr.	30,737	25.5
	Republican	Bethanne McCarthy Patrick (incumbent)	29,522	24.5
	Republican	Tom Tedesco	29,480	24.4
Total votes			120,600	100.0
	Democratic gain from Republican

References

1. "Memorial Hospital of Salem elects three new board members", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 26, 2016. Accessed January 10, 2024. "A lifelong resident of Salem County, Bailey was born and raised on the Ranch Hope campus, graduated from Woodstown High School and currently resides in Woodstown, with his wife, Julie, and three children."
2. Dave Bailey Jr., District 3 Team. Accessed December 23, 2023. "Bailey Jr. earned a master’s in nonprofit management from Eastern University. He volunteers with Meals on Wheels and is a member of the Rotary Club of Woodstown. He and his wife Julie reside in Woodstown and have three adult children."
3. Wildstein, David. "Gloucester county commissioner will run for Assembly in 3rd district on Burzichelli’s ticket", New Jersey Globe, March 20, 2023. Accessed December 23, 2023. "Simmons will run on a slate with Senate candidate John Burzichelli (D-Paulsboro) and another Assembly contender, David Bailey, the CEO of Ranch Hope, a prominent non-profit organization based in Salem County.... Bailey, 56, has followed in the footsteps of his father, Rev. David L. Bailey, who founded Ranch Hope to help troubled youth in 1962. The organization has a staff of roughly 200 to assist at-risk children and their families."
4. Connolly, John. "NJ election results 2023: State Senate, Assembly seats decided", The Record, November 9, 2023. Accessed December 23, 2023.
5. Official List Candidates for General Assembly for General Election November 7, 2023, New Jersey Department of State, December 6, 2023. Accessed December 23, 2023.
6. Wildstein, David. "37 new lawmakers take office at noon", New Jersey Globe, January 9, 2024. Accessed January 9, 2024. "The 221st New Jersey Legislature begins today, with 37 new lawmakers – nearly one-third of the legislature – being sworn in at noon. That number includes ten new Senators and 27 new members of the General Assembly."
7. New Jersey State Constitution 1947 (Updated Through Amendments Adopted in November, 2020): Article IV, Section II, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 28, 2022.
8. Legislative Roster for District 3, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 21, 2024.
9. "Candidates for General Assembly - For GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2023 Election" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. Retrieved December 6, 2023.