Assemblywoman Katz leads charge to protect NJ children from social media harms

Assemblywoman Andrea Katz originally wanted to be a teacher for at-risk children, a path she chose after she struggled academically as a child. But when those early challenges continued in college, she switched to majoring in glassblowing at Bucks County Community College.

“If you had asked me 10 years ago, 20 years ago … could I even imagine accomplishing the things I’ve accomplished? I would have told you no, I would have laughed at you,” she said. “How would a kid like me ever get involved in politics?”

Katz, a Chesterfield Democrat, has spent a lifetime overcoming hurdles. She embraced her interest in politics and today represents New Jersey’s 8th Legislative District, which includes parts of Burlington and Atlantic Counties. 

She has built a reputation as an advocate for protecting New Jersey children from social media harms.

Now in her third year in the Assembly and the chairwoman of a committee, she said she draws on her past experiences as inspiration for what she stands for in politics.

“I got to college, and I quickly realized I don’t have the superpower to be in a classroom,” Katz said. “But what I’ve come to find over the years, and now that I am involved in the government doing what I do—it’s the policies, it’s the advocacy. It is making sure that every kid in New Jersey has access to what they need.”

The road to Trenton started in 2011, when she was a stay-at-home mom and had moved to Chesterfield County with her family. At that time, there wasn’t a Democratic candidate in a local race.

“I looked at my ballot the day of the primary, and there was just one Republican guy running for township committee,” said Katz. “And no Democrat. And so partisan stuff aside, that meant that he was going to run completely uncontested from primary to general [election] and then hold the seat that governs our town. I did not think that was right.” 

That afternoon, she launched a write-in campaign. “My thought process was that somebody’s got to do it,” Katz said.

She lost, but one setback was never going to stop her. 

Katz said that her husband, Jonathan Katz, a lawyer, connected her through one of his colleagues to the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey. 

Three years later, Katz tried again. She ran for the Assembly with two running mates. During the campaign, they dropped out, leaving her to run alone. 

“It just ended up being me at the end against three men,” said Katz. “And I didn’t win. And I will tell you that was one of the hardest nights because I had knocked on so many doors. I had put so much effort into this.” 

Looking back, she acknowledges that running alone as a Democrat proved to be an impossible task, considering Chesterfield was a predominantly Republican county at the time.

“It hurt, it stung,” Katz said. “I wanted to help my community. I felt rejected. But I know I left it all on the field.”

Despite the loss, she was still determined to be involved and set her sights on running for a seat on the school board. 

“When I ran in 2014, there wasn’t an organized Democratic Party,” Katz said. “It’s a team activity. This is best done with a team. And it was. Once I built a team and that trust within the people in my community, I got onto the school board.”

On the Chesterfield Township School Board, she focused on increased mental health services and awareness for students. She also built a coalition of mothers across New Jersey to advocate for making sure every child got the academic help they needed.

In 2016, she again ran for the Assembly and won. She received the highest vote total on the ballot in Chesterfield. She said she only feels gratitude for that victory because it was the result of collective teamwork with her colleagues.

“We now have two parties in town,” said Katz. “Sometimes the Republicans have control, and sometimes the Democrats do. But we always have competitive elections, and I take pride in that because that’s what started me wanting to make sure that people in my town had that choice.” 

Katz said in a recent interview that she has no plans of running for higher office and enjoys where she is currently.

“I love what I am doing,” Katz said. “What am I going to do next? I don’t know. I didn’t think this was a path for me. I am also not naive enough to think that I am the person that gets to do everything. I am just doing the best I can with what I’ve got in front of me.”

She said she enjoys that there are more people in the Assembly compared to the Senate. 

“There’s 80 people in that chamber, and the Senate only has 40, and they are really quiet and reserved,” Katz said. “I love my chamber because I’ve got my girls.”

Katz has developed close friendships with Assemblywomen Luanne Peterpaul, a Long Branch Democrat, Rosie Bagolie, a Livingston Democrat, Tennille McCoy, a Hamilton Democrat; Margie Donlon, an Ocean Township Democrat, and Carmen Theresa Morales, a Belleville Democrat.

“Katz brings a thoughtful and steady voice to the Assembly,” Bagolie said in an email. Her commitment to public service and her willingness to work collaboratively on behalf of New Jersey families reflects the very best of what public service should be.” 

Peterpaul said in an email statement: “Katz is a true advocate for our youth, and has been a tremendous partner in the Assembly. Her proposed legislation to hold online service providers more accountable is the kind of protection our children and their families deserve. I am proud to cosponsor her ‘New Jersey Kids Code Act,’ to share such important values with a legislator of her caliber, and to call her a friend.” 

“If that’s all I got from being an assemblywoman—getting to meet my friends—that would have been enough,” Katz added. “And the fact that I have gotten to do really impactful legislation has been cool too. I really feel blessed.”

Katz serves as the Chair of the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, which focuses on farmland preservation, food safety, and environmental protection. She is also on the Telecommunications and Utilities & the Transportation and Independent Authorities committees.

“Our farmers are important because they grow our food,” Katz said. “We cannot survive without them. They work very hard, and sometimes the government gets in the way.

Her three children, ages 19, 17, and 14, are another source of inspiration for Katz and her overall political ambitions.

“What I see in my kids is what inspires me to keep going to make sure that tomorrow is even better than today,” said Katz. “They [my kids] are very supportive of what I do, which I am grateful for.” 

Katz says juggling her responsibilities is a challenge, but in a good way. 

“I can look at my schedule on my phone, but that doesn’t tell me which direction my day is going to go,” Katz said. “And that’s the best part of it—I try to take it all on.”

Katz says her highlight so far this year is working with Gov. Mikie Sherrill. 

“I have really enjoyed getting to know and working with our new governor,” Katz said. “She has been very refreshing. It is great to have another woman to work with—we do not have enough women running around these halls as it is. I am here to get it done and make the world a better place, at least my little corner of it, and that’s what she wants to do.”

She is currently advocating for a three-bill package: A4013, A4014, and A4015, protecting kids from the harms of prolonged social media use. 

One of those measures, Katz’ Kids Code Act, requires online media platforms to implement regulations protecting minors’ privacy. 

Her bill package received unanimous, bipartisan committee support in February, and she believes in working meaningfully with all her colleagues.

“Sometimes all we need to do is have a good, hearty debate on things. And if you don’t have good relationships with the people on both sides of the aisle, you’re not going to get the right answers,” Katz said. “You may come at it from a different perspective. You may come at it from somewhere completely different than what I’m seeing. But as long as you’re in this to make our little corner of the world better, I’m your partner.” 

If she could offer any advice to her past self, it’s this: “Keep being yourself and keep working. Do not ever let anybody tell you you have to be different. It is that authenticity that resonates with people at the end of the day. Stay authentic and passionate about what’s important to you, and do not let them change you.”

This article is written by Brinda Patel, courtesy of the NJ State House News Service