Head shot of Petra Gaskins wearing a green jacket against a background of blurred trees

Petra Gaskins

Councilmember, City of New Brunswick

Petra Gaskins is a proud resident of the City of New Brunswick and was sworn into the City Council on January 2, 2023.

Petra’s interest in politics originated from her personal experience of homelessness due to child abuse and parental abandonment. From her pre-teen years to adulthood, she constantly had to confront seemingly unjust bureaucracies that spurred within her a determination to get involved.

Today, Petra Gaskins is the Chief of Staff to Senator Andrew Zwicker. Previously she served as Director of Outreach & Programming for Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and as an Aide to Governor Phil Murphy. She is most known for creating outside-the-box opportunities to elevate those whose voices have been systemically ignored.

Petra holds a B.A degree in Political Science and Global Studies from Rider University.