Former State Sen. Sandra Bolden Cunningham of Jersey City Dies at 76; Flags to Fly at Half-Staff Oct. 13

Sandra Bolden Cunningham, the Jersey City Democrat who represented the 31st Legislative District in the New Jersey Senate for more than 16 years, has died. She was 76.

Cunningham died on Tuesday, Oct. 6, according to the Governor's office. Acting Gov. Nicholas Scutari signed Executive Order No. 27 on Friday, Oct. 9, directing that U.S. and New Jersey flags fly at half-staff on Tuesday, Oct. 13, in her honor. The release called her a trailblazing legislator and a dedicated public servant.

Flags at half-staff on Oct. 13

• What: U.S. and New Jersey flags lowered to half-staff in memory of former Sen. Cunningham.
• When: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.
• Where: State government buildings and agencies, according to the New Jersey Globe's report on the order.
• Who signed it: Scutari, who was serving as acting governor while Gov. Mikie Sherrill was out of state, the New Jersey Globe reported.

A long career in Trenton

Cunningham served in the state Senate from 2007 until she retired in 2024, representing the Hudson County-based 31st District, which includes Bayonne and much of Jersey City. According to the Governor's office and the New Jersey Globe, she held several Senate leadership posts, among them majority whip, deputy majority leader and Senate president pro tempore. She also chaired the Senate Higher Education Committee, the Globe reported.

The New Jersey Globe credits her with helping enact New Jersey's "ban the box" law, which limits when employers can ask job applicants about criminal records. The Globe also says she worked to expand expungement and to restore voting rights to people on parole and probation. On higher education, she pushed for affordable college and helped fund scholarships through the Sandra and Glenn Cunningham Foundation, according to the Globe.

She was married to former Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham until his death in 2004, Patch reported. The New Jersey Globe reported that she died after a lengthy illness.

Tributes

Leaders from both houses of the Legislature and from Hudson County paid tribute after her death, according to statements collected by the New Jersey Globe and Patch:

• Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz called her a close friend and a dedicated public servant, and pointed to the "ban the box" law as part of her legacy.
• Former Gov. James E. McGreevey remembered her as a champion of second chances and of reentry work. "New Jersey is better because of her," he said, according to Patch.
• Scutari, in his role as Senate President, called her a generational leader who fought for Jersey City and carried on her late husband's legacy.
• Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin cited her work on higher education and said the state is fairer because of her service.
• Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, speaking for the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus, honored her work on criminal justice reform, bail reform and the CROWN Act.
• Former Senate President Steve Sweeney recalled her push for automatic expungement and "ban the box."
• Assemblyman Jerry Walker remembered a 25-year friendship and pledged to continue her work to make Liberty State Park a destination for families.

Services

Funeral and visitation details had not been announced as of Oct. 9. JerseyTalks will update this story when the family or officials publish them.

Sources: Office of the Governor of New Jersey, release on Executive Order No. 27, Oct. 9, 2026; New Jersey Globe (Oct. 9) and its collected statements (Oct. 7); Patch (Oct. 7).

Photo: The New Jersey Senate chamber in the State House, Trenton. © 2024 Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Cropped.