New Jersey's 12th Congressional District

New Jersey's 12th Congressional District is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat), who has held the seat since 2015. Watson Coleman has an overall VoteSee report card grade of C, voted in 99% of roll-call votes on bills this Congress, and votes with the Democratic majority 97% of the time. The district includes Trenton, Plainfield, and Princeton. It takes in all or part of 4 counties; the most populous parts are in Middlesex County and Mercer County. About 779,000 people live in the district, and the median household income is $113,235.

Current Representative

Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democrat) has represented New Jersey's 12th Congressional District since 2015.

VoteSee report card grade: C
Attendance in the 119th Congress: 99% of roll-call votes on bills
Votes with the Democrat majority: 97%

See Bonnie Watson Coleman's full voting record and issue positions →

2026 Election

U.S. House: New Jersey 12th District

Winner: Adam Hamawy.

This is an open seat: Bonnie Watson Coleman is not running for re-election. 4 candidates were on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot.

Adam Hamawy (Democratic): raised $2.0M, $240K cash on hand
Gregg Mele (Republican): raised $102K, $14K cash on hand
Winston Jordan (Independent)
Andres Jinete (Green)

Polls: No public polls

See the full 2026 race →

District Demographics

Population: 778,950
Median household income: $113,235
Median age: 40
Median home value: $470,600
Bachelor's degree or higher: 48.8%

Source: American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, 119th Congress boundaries.

How Watson Coleman Voted Recently

Yea on American Enrichment Deployment Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Nuclear REFUEL (Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing) Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Retire through Ownership Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Ratepayer Protection Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed

Breaks with the Democrat majority

Nay on National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Nay on Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 (Jul 14, 2026) — Passed
Nay on AI Warnings And Resources for Education Act (Jun 29, 2026) — Passed

Who Held This Seat Before

Members of Congress who previously represented New Jersey's 12th Congressional District. District lines are redrawn after each census, so earlier members may have represented a different area under this number.

Rush Holt — Democrat (1999–2015)
Michael Pappas — Republican (1997–1999)
Richard Zimmer — Republican (1991–1997)
James Courter — Republican (1983–1991)
Matthew Rinaldo — Republican (1973–1983)
Florence Dwyer — Republican (1967–1973)
Paul Krebs — Democrat (1965–1967)
George Wallhauser — Republican (1959–1965)
Robert Kean — Republican (1939–1959)
Frank Towey — Democrat (1937–1939)
Frederick Lehlbach — Republican (1933–1937)
Mary Norton — Democrat (1925–1933)

Where the District Is

New Jersey's 12th Congressional District covers 438 square miles of land. Boundaries are for the current (119th) Congress.

Counties

Middlesex County (part): 42% of residents
Mercer County (part): 27% of residents
Somerset County (part): 24% of residents
Union County (part): 7% of residents

Largest communities

Trenton
Plainfield
Princeton
Old Bridge
Somerset
North Plainfield
Hillsborough
South River