Colleen O'dea

Senior writer at NJ Spotlight News

high bridge, new jersey, united states

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Experienced professional reporter and writer. Freelance writing and editing.Proficient working with database, spreadsheet, GIS/mapping, publishing and internet software (MS Office suite, Arcview, Dreamweaver, Mapbox, Google tools).Numerous national and state journalism awards.Specialties: Education, Census/demographics, Data analysis and presentation, government, social issues, the law.

Featured Articles

Candidates declare for special election to replace Sherrill in Congress

More than a dozen candidates — almost all of them Democrats — filed for the chance to fill New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill’s former congressional seat in North Jersey and now face an abbreviated campaign season to end in an unusual early February pri... See more

njspotlightnews.org•Colleen O'dea•Dec 2, 2025

How municipalities voted for New Jersey governor - NJ Spotlight News

How municipalities voted for New Jersey governor The maps show the results of this year’s gubernatorial election, nearly all of them official, compared with the last gubernatorial election in 2021 and last year’s presidential election. Each map shows the ... See more

njspotlightnews.org•Colleen O'dea•Nov 26, 2025

Voters to chose Sherrill's congressional replacement on April 16

Gov. Phil Murphy moved swiftly to start the process for replacing Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, designating April 16 as the date for a special election. Sherrill, a Democrat who won the race to replace Murphy by more than 14 ... See more

njspotlightnews.org•Colleen O'dea•Nov 21, 2025

Why does the counting go on well after Election Day ends?

The political ads may stop after Election Day, but the vote counting does not. In every election, there are some New Jersey counties where returns in a few voting districts may not get counted at the end of a very long day for election workers. These resu... See more

njspotlightnews.org•Colleen O'dea•Nov 18, 2025

NJ moves to give voters help with troubled ballots

More than a thousand voters who make a mistake each year when submitting a mail-in ballot would have the chance to correct a problem involving ballot envelopes and have their votes count under a bill that cleared a state Senate committee Thursday. Sen. Pa... See more

njspotlightnews.org•Colleen O'dea•Nov 14, 2025

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Creative Writing, Writing at New York UniversityGraduated: 1987

Bachelor Of Arts, English, Journalism at Saint Peter'S UniversityGraduated: 1984

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Colleen O'dea

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Featured Articles

Candidates declare for special election to replace Sherrill in Congress

How municipalities voted for New Jersey governor - NJ Spotlight News

Voters to chose Sherrill's congressional replacement on April 16

Why does the counting go on well after Election Day ends?

NJ moves to give voters help with troubled ballots

Is this you?

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Featured Articles

Candidates declare for special election to replace Sherrill in Congress

How municipalities voted for New Jersey governor - NJ Spotlight News

Voters to chose Sherrill's congressional replacement on April 16

Why does the counting go on well after Election Day ends?

NJ moves to give voters help with troubled ballots