John Burzichelli is a lifelong resident of New Jersey and previously represented the Third District in the State Assembly for 20 years. During this time, he served as Deputy Speaker and chaired the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, Appropriations Committee, and also acted as Vice-Chair of the Budget Committee. Burzichelli has a proven track record of advocating for small businesses and collaborati
ng across party lines to make New Jersey a more affordable place to live. He played a pivotal role in realizing the Paulsboro Marine Port and Lower Alloways Creek Wind Logistic Port, bringing good-paying jobs to the region. As a champion of tax reform, Burzichelli led efforts to eliminate the estate tax, reduce income taxes on retirees and veterans, and played a key role in delivering the most significant small business tax cut in New Jersey’s history. In addition to his career in public service, Burzichelli is the managing partner of Hill Studio and Scenic in Paulsboro. This company provides studio services and special effects to the motion picture, video, and still photography industry. He served as the Mayor of Paulsboro from 1996 to 2011.
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Heather Simmons previously served four terms as a Gloucester County Commissioner, making her the longest-serving female Commissioner in Gloucester County history and the first woman to be elected Deputy Director to the Board of Commissioners. As a Commissioner, Simmons boasts a proven record of fiscal responsibility. She initiated a three-year freeze in government spending, reduced the tax rate, and attracted substantial new business investments, leading to the creation of thousands of local jobs. A staunch advocate for small businesses, she launched the 70-member Gloucester County Economic Recovery Collaborative in 2021, focusing on post-pandemic economic recovery and resiliency. Simmons also spearheaded the county’s first small business revolving loan fund, resulting in $15 million in low-interest loans for more than 200 businesses. With 32 years of experience in public education, Simmons served as the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Rowan University. A resident of Gloucester County since 1994, Simmons earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and politics from Saint Joseph’s University, where she was the valedictorian of her class. She furthered her education with a master’s degree in public relations from Rowan University.
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Dave Bailey, Jr. is a lifelong Salem Countian and the CEO of the faith-based nonprofit Ranch Hope, Inc. He leads a dynamic team of 200 staff, including licensed clinicians, educators, health care and management professionals, volunteers, and support staff working for children, youth, and families in South Jersey. Through collaboration and partnerships in the public and private sectors, Bailey has spent his 30-year career advocating for public policies and funding to assist children, youth, and families at the federal, state, and local levels. Servant leadership is the driving force behind all of Bailey's work. He is a Board Member, Past Chair, and Government Relations Chair for the NJ Alliance for Children & Families; a former Board Member and Past Chair of the Salem County Chamber of Commerce; and a former Board Member of the Salem County College Foundation. Bailey 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. They are members of the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit in Mullica Hill.
