Venezia Will Resign As Bloomfield Mayor After Winning Assembly Seat

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — There’s one bittersweet development that will come with Michael Venezia’s election to the New Jersey Assembly, he says: he’ll be resigning as the mayor of Bloomfield.

Venezia is being projected as a winner in the 2023 general election. He ran for 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.

He declared his candidacy for the state Legislature in March, noting that Bloomfield has not had representation in the State Assembly since Marion Crecco left office in 2001. Read More: Bloomfield Mayor Throws Hat Into Ring For NJ Assembly

“This is a renewed opportunity for Bloomfield to have a direct voice fighting for us for property tax relief, funding for municipal projects, and improved education system, and to have an advocate to make New Jersey a stronger, fairer place for your family and mine,” Venezia wrote.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

According to a Thursday social media post from Venezia, he plans to resign from his post as mayor on Jan. 9, 2024.

Here’s what comes next, he said:

“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.

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