History-Making U.S. Rep. Dr. Herb Conaway Says He is Ready to Make SJ’s Voice Heard in Congress
Photo of U.S. Rep. Dr. Herb Conaway courtesy of U.S. Rep. Conaway website
BY CHARLES CURTIS III | For AC JosepH Media
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Progress is made by those who have a vision and a plan.
History-making Congressman Herb Conaway Jr., M.D., is an example of how community advancement can be achieved through education, diligence, and a desire for community uplift.
When Conaway, a long-time South Jersey assemblyman in the state legislature, won a seat in the House of Representatives last November, he became the first Black physician to have voting rights in Congress — ever.
“Decisions we make are so impactful for so many,” Conaway told Front Runner New Jersey earlier this year. “We have to decide what to do with respect to public health, what you decide to do with respect to looking after the next generation in terms of their education, in terms of the environment they’ll inherit, in terms of the economic climate that they’ll that you want them to your children and others to enjoy as they make their way through life.
Conaway said his desire to create a more equitable society has been reflected in his work as an elected official. Conaway represents New Jersey’s Third District, which includes Burlington, Monmouth, and Mercer counties.
“I couldn’t help but think it’s taking too long for an African American physician to have the privilege of voting in the House,” Conaway said. “And so, while I’m pleased, as one naturally would be, it’s also an opportunity.
“I couldn’t help but take a moment of sober reflection on the history of our nation, which has left this distinction to happen so late in our history.”
His election victory illuminated his extensive service. For 25 years, Conaway served the residents of New Jersey’s 7th Legislative District as an assemblyman. According to conaway.house.gov, as a member of the New Jersey Legislature, he chaired the Health Committee and served on the Budget Committee and the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.
“I am committed to working with my colleagues to defend democracy, protect reproductive rights, and uplift our economy to ensure that the working families in my district and across the country can thrive for years to come,” said Conaway, who lives in Delran.
“I am eager to get to work, putting people over politics to deliver results for everyone back home.”
Born and raised in Bordentown, his father was a teacher and his mother a nurse, setting up his foundation early. He would inherit his parents’ thirst for education and a nurturing spirit reflected in his career path.
Conaway earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton University, a medical degree from Jefferson Medical College, and a law degree from Rutgers Law School in Camden.
Often referred to as “the smartest man in Trenton” because of his matching advanced medical and law degrees, Conaway has made a lasting impact on his colleagues, often sought as a source of information because of his extensive knowledge and experience.
“As a thoughtful person, I don’t need to speak about everything,” Conaway said. “I make sure that studied and well versed in the areas that I know best. I tried to be a trusted resource for my colleagues in the state legislature, and I hope that I can achieve that level of trust here in the Congress.”
His words on the matter highlight his humility as he attributes much of his success to his team and support system.
“My jobs have been very well supported by just first-rate staff,” Conaway said. “I’m proud of the staff that I’ve had over many years, and particularly proud to see them go off and do great things, often in public life, but also the private sector as well.”
“I’ll continue to do here in the Congress what I have always done, lead with the truth, with the facts, and be an honest conveyor of those things, and let the decisions that I have to make flow from a fact-based, science-based foundation.”
Conaway makes clear his mission to improve the quality of life for New Jersey residents and what his areas of focus will be to ensure that.
“I’m going to bring New Jersey with me, and we have a lot of sensibilities around being responsible measures to prevent gun violence and a health care system that stresses public health and stresses access to healthcare for everybody, irrespective of their income,” Conaway said.
True to his words, Conaway said he looks forward with no plans of slowing down. He has found mutual respect from other physicians in Congress, even working with Republicans on issues concerning public health and safety.
“You might expect our issues are generally very bipartisan and we’re generally fairly well aligned on things that matter to the health of our patients,” Conaway said.
His willingness to work with individuals who may not have the same perspective simply for the betterment of the community is refreshing and a necessary image to have, especially in times like now, when political division has run rampant.
Continuing his work, Conaway was appointed to the Veterans Affairs Committee and the Small Business Committee, because “those services there will be very important to the residents of New Jersey,” he said.
Conaway is on the health subcommittee of Veterans Affairs, which has a large portfolio regarding all matters related to veteran health care.
“I served Air Force Base for four years and was the director of the primary care clinic there for about half of that time on the base,” Conaway said enthusiastically. “The veterans who served there and retired in the area are very important to me, and I am anxious to get to work serving their needs.”
For decades, Conaway has had his hand on the pulse of New Jersey on the front lines advocating for public education, public health, veterans’ rights, and environmental justice.
As a trailblazer, Conaway will be carrying the torch of legacy to a new generation of legislators will establishing his own legacy for the future African American congressmen and women coming behind him.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The story was written from an interview Front Runner New Jersey Editor Clyde Hughes had with Dr. Herb Conaway earlier this year.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Charles Curtis III is a media creator in Camden. He is a two-time participant in the prestigious South Jersey Information Equity Project and earlier this year was selected for the FRNJ’s Class of 2025 30 Under 40 Top Black Leaders of South Jersey.
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