TRENTON – Following a spasmodic process to replace Fred Scalera, Essex County Undersheriff Kevin Ryan was sworn into the 36th District Assembly seat today.
Ryan, a former staffer to state Sen. Pres Carmen Orechio, recounted his days growing up in Nutley exposed to the political scene in the chamber.
He vowed to run for a full two-year term this November.
The 36th District sits mainly in Bergen County – where state Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge) resides – but also touches Essex and Passaic counties.
Ryan thanked all three Democratic county chairs: Michael Kasparian of Bergen, John Currie of Passaic, and Phil Thigpen of Essex, who was present.
Given the contentious battle to land Ryan in the seat between Sarlo and Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo – also in the statehouse paying tribute – and a contingent of Bergenites who wanted the seat, Ryan’s public burying of the hatchet was interesting.
Districtmate Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) complimented Scalera for his service and said Ryan “brings the same humility, intelligence, and insight to this Assembly.”
In a nod to DiVincenzo’s bipartisan allegiances Ryan said the problems of the state “do not have an R or a D.”
