Longtime journalist Rhonda Schaffler is joining the Assembly Majority Office as communications director, it was announced Monday.
Schaffler, who most recently was with NJSpotlight News, has a long career in television and print journalism.
Prior to that, Schaffler served as a multimedia reporter for Thomson Reuters, an anchor for Bloomberg News, an anchor and correspondent for CNN and a journalist for Dow Jones. She also served a stint as a media consultant for the U.N., raising awareness of microcredit initiatives designed to alleviate poverty and stimulate economic growth in developing countries.
In her new role, Schaffler will lead the caucus’ efforts to upgrade its communications efforts to meet the changing 21st-century media landscape, from the State House press corps to local media outlets and growing digital channels that allow lawmakers to speak directly to their constituents.
She also will work to ensure a unified message around key legislative priorities even as she works with individual lawmakers to highlight their work on important initiatives — both in the State House and around the state.
“We are proud to welcome Rhonda Schaffler to serve as communications director for the Assembly Democrats after an extensive national search,” Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Woodbridge) said.
“Rhonda’s long experience with kitchen-table issues will help our caucus highlight our leadership keeping New Jersey affordable for working families even as we create jobs and tackle issues ranging from property tax relief to continuing to rebuild our communities following the pandemic.”
Schaffler said she is ready to get started.
“I am excited to begin working with the Assembly Democratic caucus at this critical time in our state’s history,” she said. “I believe in our members’ agenda to deliver for working families across New Jersey and am looking forward to utilizing my long experience in journalism to clearly communicate our track record to residents across our great state.”
