Assemblywoman-elect Nancy Munoz (R-Summit) becomes the first widow to directly succeed her husband in the New Jersey Legislature. She won a special election last night to replace Eric Munoz, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 61.
After Patrick Scanlon died in August 1977, his widow, Mary Scanlon, won a November 1977 election to fill his seat. But the same day, voters elected Joseph Papasidero to fill the remaining two months of Patrick Scanlon's term. Mary Scanlon actually succeeded Papasidero. (Deborah Scanlon, a Union County Freeholder, is the daughter-in-law of Patrick and Mary Scanlon.)
Sandra Bolden Cunningham now occupies the State Senate seat once held by her late husband, Glenn Cunningham. Joseph Doria, a former Assembly Speaker and the Mayor of Bayonne, replaced Glenn Cunningham in the Senate. Sandra Cunningham went to the Senate when Doria became Commissioner of Community Affairs.
