{"entity":{"id":11124,"slug":"congress-w000822","name":"Bonnie Watson Coleman","type":"person","role":"US Representative (D-NJ-12)","description":"Bonnie Watson Coleman is the Democratic U.S. Representative (NJ's 12th congressional district). The platform has 10 voting records on file (2018-2025) and 45 verified facts on file covering this member's voting positions, financial disclosures, and stated platform commitments.","imageUrl":null,"createdAt":"2026-04-20T04:56:41.330Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-24T19:15:34.241Z"},"electedOffice":{"chamber":"U.S. House","state":"NJ","district":"12","party":"Democratic","in_office_since":null},"significance":{"score":6,"components":{"totalFindings":0,"connectionDegree":2,"recentFindings90d":0,"activeResearchJobs":0,"goblinAttributions":4,"recentSyntheses90d":0,"moneyFlowChainsTotal":0,"closedLoopMemberships":0,"moneyFlowHopsRecent90d":0},"computedAt":"2026-10-16T01:34:31.424Z"},"facts":[{"id":25006,"text":"Watson Coleman is the first African-American woman to represent New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives and retired from Congress effective at the end of the 119th Congress (November 2025 announcement).","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2025-11-10","source":{"title":"Donor mapping evidence: Watson Coleman is the first African-American woman to represent New Jersey in th","url":"https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/statements-on-the-retirement-of-bonnie-watson-coleman/","publication":"FEC / handoff"}},{"id":25022,"text":"Voted nay on H.R. 1 / One Big Beautiful Bill Act (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) on 2025-07-03: Opposed Trump's signature tax and spending bill. Called it the 'Big Ugly Bill' and stated: 'I am appalled at the cruelty on display'—noting it would strip health insurance from approximately 320,000 New Jersey residents and 'threatens healthcare for seniors and children, strips food assistance from millions, slashes student loan protections.' All NJ Democrats voted no; bill passed 218-214.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2025-07-03","source":{"title":"Roll call: H.R. 1 (119th)","url":"https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025190","publication":"Congress.gov"}},{"id":25020,"text":"Voted nay on H.R. 22 (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act) on 2025-04-10: Voted against legislation requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. Called it 'a voter suppression bill that will cause an untold number of eligible voters to be purged from voter rolls'—consistent with her House Appropriations Committee advocacy for voting rights.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2025-04-10","source":{"title":"Roll call: H.R. 22","url":"https://www.insidernj.com/press_release/rep-watson-coleman-condemns-passage-of-voter-suppression-bill/","publication":"Congress.gov"}},{"id":25021,"text":"Voted nay on H.R. 21 (Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act) on 2025-01-23: Opposed legislation establishing criminal penalties for healthcare practitioners after failed abortions. Henry Cuellar of Texas was the only Democrat to vote for the bill (passed 217-211). Consistent with her 100% NARAL/Planned Parenthood record.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2025-01-23","source":{"title":"Roll call: H.R. 21","url":"https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202527","publication":"Congress.gov"}},{"id":25019,"text":"Voted nay on H.R. 29 (Laken Riley Act) on 2025-01-07: One of 159 House Democrats to oppose mandatory ICE detention for undocumented immigrants accused of theft offenses. All New Jersey Democrats voted against the bill except Rep. Conaway.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2025-01-07","source":{"title":"Claim: Rep. Angie Craig voted 'Yea' on passage of H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act, which m","url":"https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/20256","publication":"Handoff"}},{"id":25005,"text":"In the 2024 cycle, Watson Coleman raised $732,249.79 with top industries being Pharmaceuticals/Health Products ($100,285), Health Professionals ($45,968), and Building Trade Unions ($42,000).","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2024-12-31","source":{"title":"Donor mapping evidence: In the 2024 cycle, Watson Coleman raised $732,249.79 with top industries being P","url":"https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/campaign-finance/24799/bonnie-watson-coleman","publication":"FEC / handoff"}},{"id":25002,"text":"Johnson & Johnson contributed $10,500 in the 2024 cycle, all from its PAC. Bristol-Myers Squibb contributed $7,525 ($25 individual + $7,500 PAC). AbbVie contributed $10,000, all from its PAC. Otsuka America contributed $10,000, all from its PAC. These pharma companies are major employers in New Jersey's 12th District.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2024-12-31","source":{"title":"Donor mapping evidence: Johnson & Johnson contributed $10,500 in the 2024 cycle, all from its PAC. Brist","url":"https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/bonnie-watson-coleman/contributors?cid=N00036158&cycle=2024","publication":"FEC / handoff"}},{"id":25004,"text":"JStreetPAC contributed $55,056 ($45,556 individual + $9,500 PAC) over the 2013–2024 cycle.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2024-06-30","source":{"title":"Donor mapping evidence: Bonnie Watson Coleman's campaign committee raised $5,842,229 across her career (","url":"https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/bonnie-watson-coleman/summary?cid=N00036158&cycle=CAREER","publication":"FEC / handoff"}},{"id":25003,"text":"Lawyers and law firms contributed $326,299, with $254,349 from individuals and $71,950 from PACs.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2024-06-30","source":{"title":"Donor mapping evidence: Bonnie Watson Coleman's campaign committee raised $5,842,229 across her career (","url":"https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/bonnie-watson-coleman/summary?cid=N00036158&cycle=CAREER","publication":"FEC / handoff"}},{"id":25001,"text":"Building trade unions contributed $277,998, overwhelmingly from PACs ($275,300). Public sector unions contributed $261,775, mostly from PACs ($257,000).","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2024-06-30","source":{"title":"Donor mapping evidence: Bonnie Watson Coleman's campaign committee raised $5,842,229 across her career (","url":"https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/bonnie-watson-coleman/summary?cid=N00036158&cycle=CAREER","publication":"FEC / handoff"}},{"id":25000,"text":"Princeton University was the single largest organizational contributor at $79,817, all from individuals.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2024-06-30","source":{"title":"Donor mapping evidence: Bonnie Watson Coleman's campaign committee raised $5,842,229 across her career (","url":"https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/bonnie-watson-coleman/summary?cid=N00036158&cycle=CAREER","publication":"FEC / handoff"}},{"id":24999,"text":"The Pharmaceuticals/Health Products industry was the top contributing industry at $397,839, overwhelmingly from PACs ($340,500) versus individuals ($57,339).","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2024-06-30","source":{"title":"Donor mapping evidence: Bonnie Watson Coleman's campaign committee raised $5,842,229 across her career (","url":"https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/bonnie-watson-coleman/summary?cid=N00036158&cycle=CAREER","publication":"FEC / handoff"}},{"id":24998,"text":"Bonnie Watson Coleman's campaign committee raised $5,842,229 across her career (2013–2024), with $189,021 cash on hand as of June 30, 2024.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2024-06-30","source":{"title":"Donor mapping evidence: Bonnie Watson Coleman's campaign committee raised $5,842,229 across her career (","url":"https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/bonnie-watson-coleman/summary?cid=N00036158&cycle=CAREER","publication":"FEC / handoff"}},{"id":25018,"text":"Voted nay on H.R. 8034 (Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024) on 2024-04-20: The only New Jersey House member to vote against the $26 billion Israel military aid package, citing the 'seemingly indiscriminate bombing' that has killed 'over 34,000 innocent civilians, including 13,000 children.' Voted for the three other foreign aid bills the same day.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2024-04-20","source":{"title":"Roll call: H.R.8035","url":"https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024151","publication":"Congress.gov"}},{"id":25012,"text":"[vote] Watson Coleman voted nay on the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 8034) on the same day, the only New Jersey House member to do so. She stated she 'could not in good conscience vote to send further offensive weapons to the far-right Netanyahu government.'","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2024-04-20","source":{"title":"Claim: Watson Coleman voted in favor of three foreign aid bills on April 20, 2024: Ukra","url":"https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-foreign-aid-funding-package","publication":"Handoff"}},{"id":25011,"text":"[vote] Watson Coleman voted in favor of three foreign aid bills on April 20, 2024: Ukraine aid (H.R. 8035), Indo-Pacific aid (H.R. 8036), and Iran/Russia sanctions. She stated she 'has historically supported funding for Israel's defensive capabilities such as the Iron Dome.'","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2024-04-20","source":{"title":"Claim: Watson Coleman voted in favor of three foreign aid bills on April 20, 2024: Ukra","url":"https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-foreign-aid-funding-package","publication":"Handoff"}},{"id":25017,"text":"Voted nay on H.Res. 798 (Resolution Condemning Support for Hamas and Antisemitism on College Campuses) on 2023-11-02: One of only 23 House members to vote against the resolution, and the only New Jersey Democrat. Stated that while 'rising antisemitism on college campuses is appalling,' the resolution contained significant factual errors, including mislabeling the Brandeis student senate as perpetrators. Drew sharp criticism from Republican opponent Darius Mayfield and became a flashpoint in the 2024 primary.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2023-11-02","source":{"title":"Roll call: H.Res. 798","url":"https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/02/house-antisemitism-hamas-college-campuses-00125135","publication":"Congress.gov"}},{"id":25008,"text":"[platform] Watson Coleman is a steadfast advocate for comprehensive sex education and reproductive rights. On her official House website, she argues that funding 'proven HIV/AIDS prevention' is far more effective than 'continuing a failed abstinence-only education policy.' She is endorsed by Planned Parenthood and has a lifetime 100% NARAL rating.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2023-07-11","source":{"title":"Claim: Watson Coleman is a steadfast advocate for comprehensive sex education and repro","url":"https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/issues/women","publication":"Handoff"}},{"id":25016,"text":"Voted yea on H.R. 8404 (Respect for Marriage Act) on 2022-12-08: Voted to codify federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages, stating it would officially repeal the 'defunct and discriminatory' Defense of Marriage Act.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2022-12-08","source":{"title":"Roll call: H.R. 8404","url":"https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022513","publication":"Congress.gov"}},{"id":25014,"text":"Voted yea on H.R. 3684 (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) on 2021-11-05: Voted for $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, calling it a 'once-in-a-generation investment'—and had worked as a Progressive Caucus leader to hold the infrastructure vote until the Build Back Better framework was secured.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2021-11-05","source":{"title":"Roll call: H.R.3684","url":"https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2021369","publication":"Congress.gov"}},{"id":25013,"text":"Voted yea on H.R. 1319 (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) on 2021-02-27: Supported $1.9 trillion COVID relief delivering $1,400 stimulus checks, expanded child tax credits, and over $300 million to school districts in her 12th District—and later pushed for $2,000 monthly recurring stimulus payments.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2021-02-27","source":{"title":"Roll call: H.R. 1319 / American Rescue Plan Act","url":"https://www.congress.gov/roll-call-votes/117th-congress/1st-session/h72","publication":"Congress.gov"}},{"id":25007,"text":"[vote] Watson Coleman voted yea on H.R. 748, the CARES Act, a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package that included a $40 million provision to fund abstinence-only sex education under Title V, a rider inserted by Senate Republicans.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2020-03-27","source":{"title":"Claim: Watson Coleman voted yea on H.R. 748, the CARES Act, a $2 trillion coronavirus r","url":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/748","publication":"Handoff"}},{"id":25015,"text":"Voted nay on H.R. 4909 (STOP School Violence Act of 2018) on 2018-03-14: One of only 10 House members to oppose the school safety bill. Declared school violence a 'top priority' but argued the bill lacked gun safety provisions and other critical protections—a highly visible vote that drew Republican campaign attacks and coverage in the NJ press.","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2018-03-14","source":{"title":"Roll call: H.R. 4909","url":"https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/201886","publication":"Congress.gov"}},{"id":25010,"text":"[vote] Watson Coleman voted nay on the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 (H.R. 4909), which passed 407-10. She was one of only 10 House members to oppose it, citing that it 'lacks a number of critical protections.'","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2018-03-14","source":{"title":"Claim: Watson Coleman voted nay on the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 (H.R. 4909), wh","url":"https://www.nj.com/politics/2018/03/why_this_nj_democrat_voted_no_on_school_safety_bill.html","publication":"Handoff"}},{"id":25009,"text":"[statement] Watson Coleman stated on the House floor in 2018: 'Addressing school violence is a top priority for me.'","confidence":"primary","dateOccurred":"2018-03-14","source":{"title":"Claim: Watson Coleman stated on the House floor in 2018: 'Addressing school violence is","url":"https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-statement-on-the-stop-school-violence-act-of-2018","publication":"Handoff"}},{"id":25037,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Poverty rate: 6.3%","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Demographic anchor","url":"https://legisletter.org/legislator/bonnie-watson-coleman-W000822/district","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25036,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Homeownership rate: 66.1%","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Demographic anchor","url":"https://legisletter.org/legislator/bonnie-watson-coleman-W000822/district","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25035,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Bachelor's degree or higher: 48.8%","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Demographic anchor","url":"https://legisletter.org/legislator/bonnie-watson-coleman-W000822/district","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25034,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Population: 778,950","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Demographic anchor","url":"https://legisletter.org/legislator/bonnie-watson-coleman-W000822/district","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25033,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median household income: $113,235","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Demographic anchor","url":"https://legisletter.org/legislator/bonnie-watson-coleman-W000822/district","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25032,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: New Jersey Ballot Question — Bail Reform Constitutional Amendment (2022) — passed, margin 62% yes to 38% no","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Ballot measure","url":"https://maltajusticeinitiative.org/new-jersey-voters-approve-dedicated-funding-for-open-space-pass-bail-reform/","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25031,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: New Jersey Ballot Question — Constitutional Amendment to Dedicate Funds for Open Space Preservation (2022) — passed, margin 64.6% yes to 35.4% no","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Ballot measure","url":"https://maltajusticeinitiative.org/new-jersey-voters-approve-dedicated-funding-for-open-space-pass-bail-reform/","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25030,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: New Jersey Public Question 1 — Legalize Recreational Marijuana (Constitutional Amendment) (2020) — passed, margin 67% yes to 33% no","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Ballot measure","url":"https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-new-jersey-question-1-legalize-recreational-marijuana.html","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25029,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 44-45 (share 0.12)","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Top employer","url":"https://www.census.gov/mycd/?st=34&cd=12","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25028,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 61 (share 0.14)","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Top employer","url":"https://www.census.gov/mycd/?st=34&cd=12","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25027,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 62 (share 0.17)","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Top employer","url":"https://www.census.gov/mycd/?st=34&cd=12","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25026,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Top employer: Bristol-Myers Squibb (Princeton area campus) (4000 employees)","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Top employer","url":"https://www.census.gov/mycd/?st=34&cd=12","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25025,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Top employer: Princeton University (6500 employees)","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Top employer","url":"https://www.census.gov/mycd/?st=34&cd=12","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25024,"text":"[constituency_baseline] Top employer: Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick, just outside district boundary, but major employer for district residents) (15000 employees)","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":{"title":"Constituency baseline: Top employer","url":"https://www.census.gov/mycd/?st=34&cd=12","publication":"Census/BLS/SoS"}},{"id":25023,"text":"[constituency_baseline] District summary: New Jersey's 12th Congressional District covers portions of Mercer, Somerset, Union, and Middlesex counties in central New Jersey. It includes Princeton, Trenton, Plainfield, Ewing, South Brunswick, and Franklin Township. The district is 97.6% urban and known for its concentration of research and educational institutions including Princeton University, the Institute for Advanced Study, Rider University, and The College of New Jersey, as well as pharmaceutical giants Johnson & Johnson and Bristol-Myers Squibb. It is a majority-minority district (39.8% White, 21.5% Hispanic, 19.4% Asian, 15.6% Black) with a highly educated population—48.8% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. With a Cook PVI of D+12 to D+25, it is one of the most reliably Democratic districts in the nation.","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":null}],"connections":[{"id":14962,"relationshipType":"same_entity","description":"Bonnie Watson Coleman and Elise Stefanik are both listed in the known entities database as individual members of the U.S. House of Representatives, but no direct documented connection between them is provided in the facts.","confidence":"inferential","firstDocumented":"2025","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":9325,"name":"Elise Stefanik","slug":"elise-stefanik","type":"elected_official"}},{"id":19417,"relationshipType":"colleague","description":"Pou declined to label Israel's actions as 'genocide' or 'war crimes,' while fellow NJ Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman used both terms — highlighting a policy distinction between the two.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2025","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":10830,"name":"Nellie Pou","slug":"congress-p000621","type":"person"}},{"id":14964,"relationshipType":"vote_divergence","description":"Watson Coleman voted nay on H.R. 21 (Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act); Henry Cuellar was the only Democrat to vote for the bill, showing a policy divergence between the two Democrats.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2025","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":11216,"name":"Henry Cuellar","slug":"congress-c001063","type":"person"}},{"id":14963,"relationshipType":"affiliation","description":"Watson Coleman voted nay on H.R. 29 (Laken Riley Act), which would have mandated ICE detention for undocumented immigrants accused of theft offenses, opposing mandatory ICE detention policies.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2025","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":79,"name":"US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)","slug":"us-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-ice","type":"institution"}},{"id":14961,"relationshipType":"vote_alignment","description":"Watson Coleman voted nay on H.R. 29 (Laken Riley Act); all New Jersey Democrats voted against the bill except Rep. Conaway, creating a divergence in their votes.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2025","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":10855,"name":"Herbert C. Conaway","slug":"congress-c001136","type":"person"}}],"contradictions":[],"permalink":"https://www.goblinhouse.net/entity/congress-w000822","timelineUrl":"https://www.goblinhouse.net/entity/congress-w000822/timeline"}