About Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle

As an Assemblywoman, businesswoman and Freeholder, Valerie Vainieri Huttle is a Real Democrat who's standing up for real people in Bergen County and Trenton.

Valerie has led the fight against developers to protect thousands of acres of open space and clean drinking water for Bergen County. And she helped get dangerous trucks off the roads near our schools. Valerie is proud to have helped develop a comprehensive, effective breast cancer screening program. She also continues to be a strong advocate for the work of social service and cultural arts non-profit agencies.

In just her first term in the New Jersey General Assembly, Valerie is already making a mark in Trenton, where she serves on both the Appropriations and Human Services committees. She's worked to carefully prioritize state spending in a time of great fiscal challenge. Valerie is particularly proud to have created the Department of Children and Families to reform DYFS – New Jersey's beleaguered child welfare agency. She also sponsored legislation creating the Office of Women's Research and Policy, establishing a breast cancer screening access program and a Commission on Women Veterans.

Valerie believes that a healthy business climate attracts smart investment, bringing increased revenue and employment. And understanding the need to bring economic vitality to New Jersey by encouraging business growth, she opposed a surcharge in the Corporate Business Tax for the 2007 state budget.

Valerie has built a strong record standing up the bossism that is casting a shadow over the Bergen County Democratic Organization. She's worked with Loretta and Gordon, along with scores of grassroots Democrats in the 37th District to open up the political process.

For six years, as a Bergen County Freeholder, Valerie Vainieri Huttle chaired the Health and Human Services Committee. She is proud to have been unanimously chosen by her peers to serve the Board as the first ever Chairwoman under its present County Executive form of government. Valerie has served on Freeholder committee for Cultural and Historic Affairs and as a trustee of the Bergen County Economic Development Corporation.

Valerie is an Ex-Officio member of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. In Englewood, she helped create the Bergen Performing Arts Center, a cultural icon in Bergen County. Valerie is a former member of the Board of Palisades General Hospital and founder of the Southern Bergen County Homeowners Association. She is a former board member of the Bergen County Community Action Partnership agency and the Adler Aphasia Center Board of Directors. Valerie also helped co-found “WIN”, Women Involved Now – an educational and social network for women in the community.

Valerie is a staunch supporter of the work of non-profit agencies and sat on the Board of Trustees as Vice-President of Shelter Our Sisters, an organization that brings awareness to the plight of victims of domestic violence while providing hope and revitalization to their lives through counseling and direct care.

Valerie Vainieri Huttle is a Real Democrat fighting for Real Democratic Values in Bergen County and throughout New Jersey. For example, in 2004, the Governor appointed Valerie to the Highlands Task Force where she helped prepare the plan that created the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act. And as a state legislator, she pledges to continue working in Trenton as an advocate for families, addressing the needs of seniors and children while protecting the quality of life for all New Jerseyans.

A successful businesswoman, Valerie is a licensed funeral director. For over 25 years, she's served as President and Director of the Vainieri Funeral Home in North Bergen.

Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle and her husband Frank live in Englewood. They have two daughters, Alexandra and Francesca. In 1980, Valerie graduated Cum Laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a B.A. in English and received a state certification for teaching. Valerie also attended Rider University.