In 1997, incumbent 29th District Assemblyman Jackie R. Mattison resigned in May 1997 following his sentencing for bribery charges. Coutinho was chosen by the local Essex County Democratic Committee members to fill the seat until the expiration of Mattison's term in January 1998. His appointment to the New Jersey Legislature made him the first Portuguese-American to serve in the Legislature. He declined to seek election to a full term.
