Chairman Joseph P. Cryan

Thank you for visiting the NJDSC's new website. As Chairman, my goal is to continue to move the Party forward, and this includes reaching out to people in new ways.

This website should serve as a resource to you, a vehicle for getting engaged in the Democratic Party and a stepping stone for getting involved in the political process.

While internet activism is an important part of the Democratic Party's continued success, this website is just one of a number of resources the State Committee operates to aid Democrats at all levels in New Jersey and to advance the principles and priorities of the Democratic Party.

I urge you to make use of the information provided on this website, use it as a bridge to other Internet resources and as a means of communicating and organizing with others. This website, OUR website, is an active tool for a Party that is always moving forward.

I encourage you to make use of all our resources, to support the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates and to pursue your interest in the political process by getting involved, especially at the local level. The passion and commitment of individuals has always been the lifeblood of the Democratic Party.

Chairman Cryan's Biography

With a breadth of experience in business, government, law enforcement, civic affairs, and local politics, Joseph Cryan has become one of New Jersey's top political leaders in both the State Legislature and the State Democratic Party. After serving as Vice Chairman of the Democratic State Committee for four years - a time when Democrats scored unanimous election gains - Joseph Cryan was selected by Governor Jon Corzine shortly after taking office to take the helm of the State Party. In a unanimous vote, members of the Democratic State Committee confirmed Joseph Cryan as Chairman.

Joseph Cryan entered party politics in 1996 as Democratic Municipal Chairman in Union Township and moved to electoral politics in 2002, when he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 20th Legislative District.

Joe was a corporate manager with ITT Avionics, overseeing 100 employees and a $300 million business operation; he is Assistant Majority Leader in the General Assembly, Chairman of the Assembly Human Services Committee and Vice Chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee; he is Under sheriff for Union County; and he is standard bearer of the Cryan Association, an Irish-American civic and cultural affairs organization.

Politics and public service are a living legacy for Joseph Cryan. His father, the late John Cryan, was Chairman of the Essex County Democratic Party, served in the New Jersey General Assembly and was the founder of the Cryan Association, a highly-regarded civic association that promotes Irish culture and supports charitable causes. John Cryan, who emigrated from Ireland, was also the owner of Cryan's Restaurants, which became popular centers of political and activities.

Joe is also a co-founder and first president of the Irish American Society of Union, Vice President of the Brian Boru Association, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and has received numerous awards for civic activities, including the Irishman of the Year award from the Ancient Order of the Hibernians Division 3, the Dedicated Service Award from the Union Country Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Union Chapter of UNICO.

Joe lives in Union, New Jersey, and has two children, John and Megan.