Eric Houghtaling

Eric Houghtaling (born September 5, 1954) is an American Democratic politician who represented the 11th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2016 to 2022, which covers portions of Monmouth County. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Houghtaling served as an elected official in Neptune Township, New Jersey.

Eric Houghtaling
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 11th District
In office
January 12, 2016 – January 11, 2022
Serving with Joann Downey
Preceded byMary Pat Angelini
Caroline Casagrande
Succeeded byMarilyn Piperno
Kimberly Eulner
Deputy Majority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly
In office
January 9, 2018 – January 11, 2022
LeaderLouis Greenwald
Preceded byAngelica M. Jimenez[1]
Chair of the New Jersey General Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
In office
January 14, 2019 – January 11, 2022
Preceded byBob Andrzejczak
Personal details
Born (1954-09-05) September 5, 1954
Neptune Township, New Jersey
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLinda Houghtaling
Residence(s)Neptune Township, New Jersey
WebsiteLegislative Website

Early life

Houghtaling was born in Neptune Township, New Jersey. He is currently a resident of Neptune.[2] Houghtaling works as an electrician and member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.[3] Houghtaling and his wife, Linda, have three children and seven grandchildren.[2] Houghtaling served on the Neptune Township Council from 2011 to 2015, and later became Mayor of Neptune Township in 2013.[4]

New Jersey Assembly

Houghtaling was elected to the General Assembly alongside running mate Joann Downey in November 2015, defeating Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande.[5] Houghtaling and Downey's victory was considered to be an unexpected upset.[6][7] Houghtaling was sworn into office on January 12, 2016. Houghtaling has worked to increase public awareness of Pancreatic Cancer and introduced legislation, which was later signed into law, designating November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in New Jersey. In July 2018 Houghtaling and fellow Assemblywoman Joann Downey accused fellow Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso of violating the Truth-In-Caller ID while sending out robocalls.[8]

In 2021, Houghtaling and Downey narrowly lost their reelection bids in an upset to Republican candidates Marilyn Piperno and Kim Eulner.[9]

Committees
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations
  • Labor
  • Telecommunications and Utilities

Electoral history

Assembly
New Jersey general election, 2017[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joann Downey 31,347 27.7 Increase 2.5
Democratic Eric Houghtaling 31,012 27.4 Increase 1.8
Republican Robert Acerra 25,672 22.6 Decrease 2.2
Republican Michael Whelan 25,320 22.3 Decrease 2.1
Total votes '113,351' '100.0'
New Jersey general election, 2015[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Eric Houghtaling 15,149 25.6 Increase 5.0
Democratic Joann Downey 14,906 25.2 Increase 5.0
Republican Mary Pat Angelini 14,653 24.8 Decrease 5.3
Republican Caroline Casagrande 14,418 24.4 Decrease 4.7
Total votes '59,126' '100.0'

References
  1. "GENERAL ASSEMBLY". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  2. "Assembly Members Houghtaling & DowneyNeptune Township, New Jerseyaccess-date=2016-06-29".
  3. "Asseman Eric Houghtaling". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  4. "Eric Houghtaling (D)". New Jersey Legislature. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  5. "2015 New Jersey Monmouth County Election Results" (PDF). p. 36. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  6. "LD11 Shocker: Democratic Victory in Monmouth County". 2015-11-04. Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  7. "Elections 2015: Democrats oust Republicans in Assembly's 11th District". Retrieved 2016-06-29.
  8. "Ethics panel finds probable cause to investigate DiMaso". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  9. "Piperno, Eulner win Assembly seats in Monmouth in pickup for GOP". 14 November 2021.
  10. "2017-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  11. "2015-official-ge-results-nj-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
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