Bloomfield Democrats Seek Replacement For Mayor Venezia

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A crucial seat of power in Bloomfield is about to change hands – and local Democrats are searching for the person who will claim it.

Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia recently emerged victorious in the 2023 general election, capturing a seat in the New Jersey Assembly in the 34th district, which includes the municipalities of Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Nutley and Orange. See Related: Bloomfield Mayor Wins NJ Assembly Seat, AP Says: 'I'm Truly Grateful'

Venezia ran unopposed for his current three-year term as mayor in 2022.

Venezia said he plans to resign from his post as mayor on Jan. 9, 2024. Read More: Venezia Will Resign As Bloomfield Mayor After Winning Assembly Seat

Here’s what comes next, he said in November:

“I wanted to give everyone an update on the process of filling the vacancy of mayor when I resign on January 9. This process is set by our township charter. I am a Democrat, so the Democratic County Committee (which is elected representatives in your neighborhoods) has 35 days to meet and submit three names to the current council, who will then vote to appoint a person to serve as interim mayor. That person and others can then run for the office of mayor at the next general election, which will be held on Nov. 5, 2024 to fill the remainder of the term which was set to go until Dec. 31, 2025. The next mayoral and council at-large election will be held in June (primary) and November (general) of 2025.”

“Over the next couple of weeks, the Democratic County Committee will be putting forth a process to make this open and fair for anyone that is interested in seeking this vacancy,” Venezia added.

That time has come, the Bloomfield Democratic Party announced Monday.

According to a news release:

“The Bloomfield Democratic Party is currently in the process of filling the vacancy in the office of mayor that will occur on January 9, 2024, when current mayor Michael Venezia is sworn into the state Assembly. Any candidate interested in seeking the office of mayor who meets the following criteria should submit their resume and a description of their community involvement and qualifications to mayorvacancybfld@gmail.com. Additionally, candidates can submit a video detailing their candidacy to the above email address and it will be shared with the full Bloomfield Democratic Committee … The process for filling the vacancy includes a meeting with the Bloomfield Democratic Committee, who will then submit three names to be voted on by the Township Council, with a subsequent special election to be held in November 2024.”

Eligible candidates must be:

• A registered Democrat
• A resident of Bloomfield for at least one year prior to March 25, 2024.
• At least 18 years of age

The deadline to submit the requisite information is Jan. 4.

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