Polistina is not a senator, OLS says

The non-partisan New Jersey Office of Legislative Services says that Vince Polistina does not hold the 2nd district State Senate seat.

“Mr. Polistina is not a member of the Legislature at this time. OLS considers Mr. Polistina to be a senator-select, pending receipt of confirmation from the Senate that he has been sworn-in and his election and qualifications have been judged acceptable by the members of the house,” said Peri A. Horowitz, the OLS executive director.  “Accordingly, OLS has not provided member services to Mr. Polistina.”

Polistina, a former assemblyman won an August 4 special election convention to fill the unexpired term of State Sen. Christopher Brown (R-Ventnor).  Brown resigned in July to take a job in Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration.

New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way certified the results of that election on August 16.

Since the Senate recessed on June 30 and is not expected to return to Trenton until after the November 2 election, there has been no quorum of the upper house for Polistina to be administered the oath of office.

Instead, Polistina had former Superior Court Judge Joseph E. Kane swear him in on Monday.

Polistina is the Republican nominee for Senate in this year’s general election.  He faces Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo (D-Northfield), a close ally of Senate President Steve Sweeney.

The Atlantic County-based 2nd district has been one of the most politically competitive in the state for the last 48 years.

Horowitz’s statement came in response to a request for clarification from the Senate Majority Office.