It started Friday, with word from PoliticoPro that Essex County Democrats were pulling support for longtime Assemblyman Thomas Giblin, after reports of a workplace harassment allegation by Giblin’s chief of staff. Giblin went on the record, denying the allegations and stating he would continue to seek re-election. Yet, by late Friday evening, InsiderNJ reported that after 18 years, Giblin would not seek a 10th term in office, and that Montclair’s Alixon Collazos would likely replace Giblin.
Collazos confirmed the news Saturday, in her first interview since deciding to run.
“I am a Latina and an immigrant who came to America from Colombia when I was 14 years old. I was the first in my family to go to college, so it isn’t lost on me that opportunities like this don’t knock on everyone’s door. I’m honored to be thought of for this office,” said Collazos, adding she was very excited and still in shock after the whirlwind of the last 24 hours.
In 2015, Collazos was part of the second graduating class of Emerge New Jersey, a non-for-profit organization that trains Democratic women to run for public office. She also serves on the executive board of the New Jersey Hispanic Research and Information Center (NJHRIC) and Latinas United for Political Empowerment Fund (LUPE Fund).
“The Emerge training allows you to see yourself in these kinds of positions and prepared me to say yes,” says Collazos.
Collazos would join state Senator Dick Codey and Assemblyman John McKeon in a June Democratic Primary where they will face a Democratic slate headed by Senator Nia Gill and running mates, Eve Robinson (D-Montclair) and Frank Kasper (D-Clifton).
The change in the ticket comes down to the wire, with Monday being the last day to file petitions for the June Primary. Collazos said that whatever unfortunate circumstances resulted in Giblin stepping down, she was happy to be asked to fill the void.
A government affairs professional with over 15 years of experience, Collazos is a public affairs specialist working with the BGill Group, a full service public affairs, political consulting and digital media firm. The company, founded by Collazos’ husband, Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, serves clients that include New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, numerous local elected officials, leading labor organizations and private sector companies.
During New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s first campaign, Collazos served as the director of the Latino Outreach Program where she helped design and execute the successful outreach program for the first time candidate. Under her leadership, the campaign established a series of Latino Policy Forums allowing for early input from the Latino community on the campaign’s policy agenda.
By replacing Giblin, Collazos not only brings diversity to the ticket, but diversity of ideas on policy. Giblin was one of five Democratic members of the Assembly who abstained from the vote on the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act.
The new 27th District includes Montclair, Clifton, West Orange, Livingston, Millburn, and Roseland.
“I am looking forward to getting to know all these different communities, not just the towns, but listening to the different, diverse groups within them and understanding their priorities so I can help provide what they need,” says Collazos.
As she shifts into campaign mode, Collazos feels fortunate to have support from family, friends (some who are collecting signatures this weekend) and local organizations who have encouraged her on this journey and know this has been her longtime goal.
“I talked to Brendan about what this means for our family and said out loud, ‘can I do this?’” says Collazos. “He told me ‘yes, you can do this.’ Having that kind of support has helped me move forward with so much ease.”
Her 14-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter are also excited and ready to support Collazos, with the youngest wanting to go out and help right away.
“They know this is a team effort and we have to work on this as a family,” says Collazos.