Eagleton Faculty, Staff and Visiting Associates
T. Missy Balmir
Adjunct Faculty
B.A. degree in political science, Rider University; M.A. degree in public affairs and politics, Rutgers University
For over 20 years, T. Missy Balmir has worked for many of New Jersey’s political leaders at the state, federal, and municipal levels serving in senior roles on campaigns and in government. In 2012 she launched her consulting firm, Thorough Planning, working with government entities and Fortune 500 companies on their community engagement strategies. Balmir has been the African American base vote director and denior advisor for Buono for Governor in 2013, Booker for Senate in 2014, Menendez for Senate in 2012/2018, and a consultant for the NJ Senate Majority PAC under Senator Steve Sweeney. She served as the deputy campaign manager for Senator Cory Booker’s 2020 re-election campaign and co-chair of the NJ Democratic State Committee Black Caucus.
In addition to her extensive political experience, Balmir is a seasoned government official. She has served as assistant commissioner of operations at the NJ Department of Human Services, director of intergovernmental affairs in the Office of the Governor in the Corzine administration, as well as the chief of staff to East Orange Mayor Lester E. Taylor, business administrator in Hamilton Township under Mayor Jeff Martin, and senior outreach advisor to U.S. Senator Bob Menendez.
Balmir was a former member of the City of Trenton School Board and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Trenton Alumnae Chapter. She is a proud graduate of Trenton Central High School. Balmir has a degree in political science from Rider University and a master’s degree in public affairs and politics from Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. She was a Graduate Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics and is currently an adjunct professor at the Eagleton Institute. Missy is also a member of the New Jersey American Water Board of Directors. She lives in Roselle, NJ, with her husband, former Hudson County Commissioner Gerard M. Balmir, Jr.