Mazzeo: Senate bid unlikely

Don’t expect Vince Mazzeo to run for a seat in the legislature’s upper chamber.

The assemblyman, who won his fourth term in November, said he’d likely remain in the lower chamber, where his growing tenure has secured him a measure of influence.

“I don’t think so right now,” Mazzeo said when asked if he would mount a Senate bid. “I’m not there yet. A lot of things can change, but right now, I’m working on a new session. You know, I’ve been at it for seven years. There’s something to say about being in the Assembly for seven years. You got a lot of — I’m the chairman of state and local government. I’ve done some good things here. I like the Assembly, so right now, my eyes aren’t really on the Senate.”

The second legislative district is one of three in New Jersey with split representation.

Mazzeo and his running mate, Assemblyman John Armato, represent the district’s seats in the lower chamber as Democrats. Republican State Sen. Chris Brown holds the district’s seat in the upper chamber.

Brown ousted Democratic incumbent Colin Bell, who was appointed to fill the Jim Whelan’s seat following the senator’s death, in 2017.