Laura Bustamante
Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor, Jersey City
Laura Bustamante is a dedicated professional with a strong commitment to public service, demonstrated through her extensive experience in political campaigns, strategic consulting, and grassroots organizing. She currently serves as the Chief of Staff to Jersey City Mayor James Solomon, a role in which she oversees the administration’s senior leadership team and spearheads the Mayor’s "People First" agenda focused on affordability, transparency, and inclusive governance.
A seasoned political operative, Laura most recently served as the Deputy State Director and Political Director for U.S. Senator Andy Kim. In that capacity, she led strategic engagement across the state and was credited as an instrumental part of building the people-powered movement that secured Senator Kim’s historic election victory in November 2024.
The Colombian native has compiled an impressive record of successful campaigns, including victories for Governor Mikie Sherrill, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, and Dover Councilwoman Karol Ruiz. Before her time with Senator Kim, she served as Vice President at Tonio Burgos & Associates, one of New Jersey’s most influential lobbying firms.
Beyond her government service, Laura is a powerhouse in grassroots advocacy as a Founder and Board Chair of Pride Action Fund. Under her leadership, this statewide Political Action Committee is committed to championing issues that build grassroots power across New Jersey to defend LGBTQ+ rights, strengthen communities, and elect leaders who believe in dignity, safety, and equality for all.
Bustamante’s political acumen and community impact have earned her significant recognition. She has been named numerous times to Insider NJ’s LGBTQ+ OUT 100 Power List, and is recognized as a rising star. Her commitment to expanding political participation across overlooked communities is evident in her work in Union County, where she helped organize and improve Latino voter turnout, as well as her service on the Board of Hudson Pride Center and the Steering Committee of the Latino Action Network.
Laura is the first in her family to graduate from college, holding a Master of Public Administration & Public Policy and a Master of Science in Protection Management (specializing in emergency management in urban cities) from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science & National Security from New Jersey City University.