Share on WeChat
https://www.powervoter.us:443/vin_gopal
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.
Quick Facts
Personal Details

Caucuses/Former Committees

Former Member, Economic Growth Committee, New Jersey State Senate

Former Vice Chair, Transportation Committee, New Jersey State Senate

Education

  • BA, Political Science, Penn State University
  • MPA, Rutgers University

Professional Experience

  • BA, Political Science, Penn State University
  • MPA, Rutgers University
  • Adjunct Professor, Monmouth University, 2019-present
  • Managing Partner, Direct Development, LLC, 2010-present
  • Co-Owner, Community Magazine New Jersey, 2008-present
  • Co-Owner, MarketME
  • Co-Owner, Network Connections
  • Co-Owner, Selective Singles

Political Experience

  • BA, Political Science, Penn State University
  • MPA, Rutgers University
  • Adjunct Professor, Monmouth University, 2019-present
  • Managing Partner, Direct Development, LLC, 2010-present
  • Co-Owner, Community Magazine New Jersey, 2008-present
  • Co-Owner, MarketME
  • Co-Owner, Network Connections
  • Co-Owner, Selective Singles
  • Majority Conference Leader, New Jersey State Senate, 2018-present
  • Senator, New Jersey State Senate, District 11, 2018-present
  • Candidate, New Jersey General Assembly, District 11, 2011

Former Committees/Caucuses

Former Member, Economic Growth Committee, New Jersey State Senate

Former Vice Chair, Transportation Committee, New Jersey State Senate

Current Legislative Committees

Member, Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee

Vice Chair, Higher Education Committee

Chair, Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • BA, Political Science, Penn State University
  • MPA, Rutgers University
  • Adjunct Professor, Monmouth University, 2019-present
  • Managing Partner, Direct Development, LLC, 2010-present
  • Co-Owner, Community Magazine New Jersey, 2008-present
  • Co-Owner, MarketME
  • Co-Owner, Network Connections
  • Co-Owner, Selective Singles
  • Majority Conference Leader, New Jersey State Senate, 2018-present
  • Senator, New Jersey State Senate, District 11, 2018-present
  • Candidate, New Jersey General Assembly, District 11, 2011
  • Volunteer, Long Branch Fire Department, 2016-present
  • Member, Advisory Board of New Leaders Council – New Jersey, present
  • Member, Bayshore Community Hospital's Foundation Board for Meridian Health Services
  • Member, Board of Trustees, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Monmouth County, Finance Committee, present
  • Legislative Aide, Newark City Council
  • Chairman, Monmouth County Democrats, 2012-2017
  • President, Hazlet Township Business Owners Association, 2010-2013
  • Board of Trustees, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Monmouth County, 2010-2012
  • Board of Directors, Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, 2009-2012
  • Chair, Government Affairs Committee, Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, 2010-2011
  • Volunteer EMT, Colts Neck First Aid Squad, 2002-2006
  • Volunteer EMT, Freehold First Aid Squad, 2002-2006

Other Info

— Awards:

  • Northern Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce Beacon of Hope Award - 2015
  • Community Affairs Resource Center Honoree - 2015

Current Car:

American-Made GMC - I try to always buy American whenever I can

  • Physician - Has been a local doctor in Monmouth County since the 1970s

Favorite Musician:

Bruce Springsteen

Personal Hero and Why:

My mom - her determination in making sure her children had a good upbringing while working a full-time job and still going to all of our school activities at night. Her determination inspires me each and every day.

Policy Positions

New Jersey State Legislative Election 2017 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
- Yes

4. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Budget, Spending, & Tax

Budget Stabilization:

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing New Jersey's budget.

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket
- No Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- I would only support a tax increase on those making over 1 million dollars

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

Do you support limits on the following types of contributions for state candidates?

1. Individual
- Yes

2. Political Action Committee
- Yes

3. Corporate
- Yes

4. Political Party
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
- Yes

6. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

7. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

8. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

9. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
- Yes

3. Do you support legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?
- Yes

4. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No Answer

5. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

6. Do you support delaying the seizure of assets by law enforcement officials until after a conviction?
- No Answer

7. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Economic

1. Do you support government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
- Yes

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage?
- Yes

7. Do you support legalized state-sponsored sports betting in New Jersey?
- Yes

8. Do you support a tax on short-term housing rentals in New Jersey?
- No Answer

9. Other or expanded principles
- Yes on increasing the minimum wage but I would like legislation that is thoughtful and done in a a way which protects small-business owners. I want to have a conversation with mom and pop small business owners in the district.

Education

1. Do you support the national Common Core State Standards initiative?
- No

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No Answer

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from New Jersey high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities in New Jersey?
- No Answer

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
- Yes

3. Do you support government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun possession?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Health

1. Do you support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Social

1. Do you support same-sex marriage?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in New Jersey's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in New Jersey's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- New Jersey currently has the highest property taxes in the county. We need independent leadership to push for consolidation and shared services with a fully funded school formula while creating new economic opportunities throughout the state. We need to re-instate the urban enterprise zones which support our mom and pop businesses in Monmouth County. I also support pay equity, women's healthcare funding and background checks and I will be a consistent voice for the taxpayers of Monmouth County.

Speeches