Representative Gary Schaer Contact information

Gary Steven Schaer (born September 11, 1951) is an American Democratic Party politician who has been serving in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 10, 2006. He represents the 36th Legislative District. Schaer is also a prominent figure on the Passaic, New Jersey City Council, where he holds the position of council president.

Biography:

• Early Life and Education: Schaer grew up in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey. He attended American University, majoring in political science.
• City Council Service: Schaer has been a member of the Passaic City Council since 1995. His involvement spans several years, including periods as the council resident. Since 2002, he has been the Director of Passaic’s Urban Enterprise Zone.
• Additional Civic Roles: Schaer served as a Commissioner on the Board of Education for the Passaic County Technical Institute from 1999 to 2003. He was also a commissioner on the Passaic Housing Authority from 1992 to 1996.
• Professional Background: Schaer has worked in the financial services industry for over 20 years. He currently serves as an investment consultant and vice president at Ryan Beck & Company.
• Orthodox Jewish Representation: Notably, Schaer is the first Orthodox Jew in the New Jersey Legislature.
• Mayoral Role: In May 2008, Schaer briefly became the acting mayor of Passaic following the resignation of the incumbent mayor, Samuel Rivera, who had pleaded guilty to corruption charges. Although Schaer considered running for the remainder of the term, he ultimately declined and was succeeded by Alex Blanco.
• Recent Appointment: In March 2023, Schaer was hired as the executive director of the Passaic County Improvement Authority.
• Personal Life: A resident of Passaic, Schaer is married to Donna and has three children.

Legislative Career:

• Schaer was elected to the Assembly in November 2005, taking the seat previously held by Republican Paul DiGaetano. He represents the 36th District, which includes only the City of Passaic in Passaic County. His predecessor, DiGaetano, had continuously held the seat since 1992.
• Throughout his tenure, Schaer has been actively involved in legislative matters. He currently serves as the Policy Chair of the Assembly and is the Vice Chair of the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees and the NJ-Israel Commission.

Gary Schaer’s contributions to New Jersey politics and his commitment to public service have left a lasting impact on his community. As a dedicated representative, he continues to advocate for the interests of his constituents and work towards positive change.