Al Barlas

Al Barlas (born June 21, 1981) is an American Republican Party politician serving as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 40th legislative district, having taken office on January 9, 2024.

Biography
A resident of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, Barlas is employed as co-administrator and director of marketing for the New Jersey Intergovernmental Insurance Fund and has been the chairman of the Essex County Republican Committee since 2011. He served as the Republican chair of the New Jersey Apportionment Commission.

A Muslim American who was born in Pakistan, Barlas announced in June 2016 that he still supported Donald Trump's candidacy in the 2016 United States presidential election, despite Trump's criticism of Islam and Muslims after the Orlando nightclub shooting that took place in the preceding days.

New Jersey General Assembly
In the wake of the 2021 apportionment, with several municipalities in Essex County added to the district, Barlas gained support from Republican leaders for the second Assembly seat that had been held by Kevin J. Rooney. Barlas and incumbent Christopher DePhillips defeated Democrats Giovanna Irizarry and Jennifer Marrinan in the 2023 New Jersey General Assembly election. Barlas was one of 27 members elected for the first time in 2023 to serve in the General Assembly, more than one-third of the seats.

Committees
Committee assignments for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:
 * Budget
 * Community Development and Women's Affairs
 * Labor

District 40
Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The representatives from the 40th District for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:
 * Senator Kristin Corrado (R)
 * Assemblyman Al Barlas (R)
 * Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R)