Two highly-regarded former aides to Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) have landed top posts in the front office of incoming Gov. Phil Murphy.
Justin Braz, an experienced political operative and legislative staffer, will be the Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs. He was Schaer’s Chief of Staff from 2013 to 2017, and also worked as Chief of Staff to Assemblywoman Annette Quijano. Braz was the Labor Director for Victory 2017 during the last election cycle, and formerly worked as the New Jersey Political Coordinator for 1199 SEIU. He directed GOTV efforts for Democrats in District 38 in 2011.
Stephanie Lagos has been named Chief of Staff to incoming First Lady Tammy Murphy. The former Peace Corps volunteer was Schaer’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director before joining the Murphy campaign as a senior policy director.
Schaer was a top contender to become Assembly Speaker, but sided with Vincent Prieto in last year’s leadership battle. Speaker Craig Coughlin replaced Schaer as Chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee.