Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill joined over 150 Morris County Democrats at the Hanover Marriott on Thursday, April 20 to recognize New Jersey Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, whose retirement comes at a time when changes to the legislative map and representation in towns across Morris County are ahead, including for Madison.
As the event’s hostess, Morris County Democratic Committee (MCDC) Chair Amalia Duarte welcomed the attendees to the Committee’s Spring Dinner Celebration. Ms. Duarte then introduced all the elected officials attending the event, noting “how wonderful it is to see so many elected Democrats serving in Morris County municipalities.”
She also announced that the evening’s special guest, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, has been named the Most Effective Legislator in New Jersey and that both the Congresswoman and Ms. Jasey will be receiving honorary degrees from Bloomfield College this spring.
Madison Mayor Bob Conley was the keynote speaker, as Madison is the largest of the six municipalities in Morris County currently represented by Mila Jasey and John McKeon in the Assembly and former Governor Dick Codey in the State Senate.
Mayor Conley observed that it was twelve years ago that Madison was moved from New Jersey’s 21st to its 27th legislative district. “On paper it looked like we were moving from being the forgotten child in a primarily Union County district to possibly a forgotten child in the primarily Essex County district. This certainly proved not to be the reality, as Mila and her colleagues welcomed us into the big 27th district family with open arms.”
Recalling her 16 years of legislative service, Mayor Conley noted that Mila Jasey came to Trenton with “a passion for quality education and public health services and she never stepped back from this passion.”
He stated that Madison voters quickly learned that “if there is one person you could count on to fight for quality education for all, it was Mila Jasey. She has always dedicated herself to our number one resource, our children including the most vulnerable, the children who are our future.” He then added that her background as a health nurse made her “one of the strongest supporters of front-line workers, while fighting for access to public health and supporting reproductive rights.”
Conley concluded his remarks by stating that as Mila steps down, “she has left New Jersey stronger. I don’t think there is a more caring person serving in any office in this state. Mila, we all thank you for your service and support for over 16 years.”
Mila Jasey’s retirement is not the only legislative change facing Madison voters. With the recent redistricting, Madison has been moved again, this time to the 25th legislative district, which is currently represented by Republicans in both the Senate and Assembly.
Seeking to replace them in Trenton are Christine Clarke, who is running for the Senate seat and Dr. Jonathan Torres and Diane Salvatore who want to represent the 25th District voters in the Assembly.
Christine Clarke is an environmental activist and grassroots organizer who wants to help build a clean energy economy in New Jersey, improve healthcare, protect clean air and water and do so with common-sense fiscal responsibility. Dr. Torres is an award-winning family medicine physician and physician educator, who works in the Department of Family Medicine at Morristown Medical Center and who founded the osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine residency program in 2016. Madison resident Diane Salvatore, is a magazine and digital journalism professional and a four-time Editor-in-Chief for national publications, including Consumer Reports.
Clarke, Torres, and Salvatore have been endorsed by the MCDC as have Jonathan Sackett of Rockaway Township, who is running for the Morris County Commission and Caroline O’Brien of Montville who is running for Morris County Clerk.
Also appearing on the June Democratic Primary Ballot will be Madison Democratic Committee endorsed candidates: Mayor Conley, and Borough Council candidates Council member Bob Landrigan and Planning Board and Historic Preservation Commission member John Forte.
Caption:
Candidates for State Assembly Diane Salvatore (far left) and Dr. Jonathan Torres (far right) join (from left to right) Candidate for State Senate Christine Clark, Madison Mayor Bob Conley, and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill in honoring retiring Assemblywoman Mila Jasey at the Morris County Democratic Committee’s Spring Dinner Celebration that was held on Thursday, April 20, at the Hanover Marriott