A resident ofCedar Grove, New Jersey,[1] Barlas is employed as co-administrator and director of marketing for the New Jersey Intergovernmental Insurance Fund and has been the chairman of the Essex County Republican Committee since 2011.[2] He served as the Republican chair of theNew Jersey Apportionment Commission.[1]
In the wake of the2021 apportionment, with several municipalities inEssex County added to the district, Barlas gained support from Republican leaders for the second Assembly seat that had been held byKevin J. Rooney.[4] Barlas and incumbentChristopher DePhillips defeated Democrats Giovanna Irizarry and Jennifer Marrinan in the2023 New Jersey General Assembly election.[5][6] Barlas was one of 27 members elected for the first time in 2023 to serve in the General Assembly, more than one-third of the seats.[7]
^abElection profile: 40th Legislative District, NJ Spotlight News. Accessed January 11, 2024. "Incumbent GOP Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, a Wyckoff attorney and the vice president of a consulting and systems company, is running with Al Barlas, a Cedar Grove man who served as the Republican chairman of the New Jersey Legislative Apportionment Commission."
^Wildstein, David."Bergen, Passaic, Essex back Corrado, DePhillips and Barlas in 40th district next year",New Jersey Globe, November 10, 2022. Accessed January 11, 2024. "With about one-third of the newly drawn 40th legislative district now sitting in Essex County, State Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-Totowa) and Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R-Wyckoff) will seek re-election next year on a ticket with Essex County GOP Chairman Al Barlas running for the State Assembly – a move that has the support of party leaders in Bergen, Passaic and Essex. The move leaves Assemblyman Kevin Rooney (R-Wyckoff) without a seat next year as party leaders adjust for the realities of legislative redistricting that puts seven Essex County municipalities into the district.... Born in Pakistan, Barlas would become the first South Asian American Republican to serve in the legislature, and potentially brings diversity to the Republican Party in Trenton."
^Wildstein, David."37 new lawmakers take office at noon",New Jersey Globe, January 9, 2024. Accessed January 9, 2024. "The 221st New Jersey Legislature begins today, with 37 new lawmakers – nearly one-third of the legislature – being sworn in at noon. That number includes ten new Senators and 27 new members of the General Assembly."
