The contest to replace Hal Wirths and Parker Space in the General Assembly continued to take shape on Wednesday as two candidates – Sussex Commissioner Dawn Fantasia and Chester Mayor Mike Inganamort – announced that they’re running as a ticket.
“Our state government has lost touch with reality. As a mayor and taxpayer, I see how the cycle of tax, borrow, spend is gouging New Jerseyans and literally splitting families apart,” said Inganamort in a statement announcing the pairing. “Growing up in Sussex County, Dawn and I saw first-hand that there is a better way. Cut taxes for every New Jersey family, fix the broken school funding formula, support struggling small businesses, back the blue and our volunteer first responders, and defend our Constitutional rights and freedoms in Northwest Jersey. Our district needs conservative fighters who will clearly and unequivocally stop the far-left extremism coming out of Trenton. We cannot afford the alternative.”
“District 24 has always had strong conservative leadership, exemplified most recently by my husband Assemblyman Parker Space and Assemblyman Hal Wirths,” said Jill Space, Sussex County Commissioner and the spouse of retiring Assemblyman Space. “Knowing Dawn and Mike for as long as I have, I am confident that they will continue that leadership and deliver for our District.”
The 24th Legislative District includes the entirety of Sussex County, Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mt. Olive, Netcong, Roxbury, and Washington Township in Morris County, and Allamuchy and Independence over in Warren.
The field of likely contenders includes Lafayette Board of Education President Josh Aikens, Robert Kovic (an attorney), Warren County Commissioner Jason Sarnoski (not yet announced but believed to be a likely entry), and former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan who recently relocated to the district.
