Atlantic County Democrats Name Successor To Late Jim Whelan's Seat

Former Atlantic County Freeholder Colin Bell will immediately succeed the late Jim Whelan in the State Senate while looking to permanently fill the seat come November.

The Atlantic County Democratic Committee unanimously selected Bell to succeed Whelan during a meeting on Tuesday night, Sept. 5, in Egg Harbor City, the county Democrats announced. He will fill the remainder of Whelan’s term, which expires at the end of the year. He will be sworn in during the next State Senate quorum.

Bell was already slated to run as the Democrat in the Nov. 7 general election for the Second Legislative District seat, against Republican Chris Brown. Whelan had announced he would retire in January before his untimely death following a heart attack in his home last month.

"The mark of a true public servant is someone who has the willingness to always remember who they serve and the courage to always defend their constituents’ interests,” Bell said. “Senator Jim Whelan did it without hesitation and without an ask for any favor, fame, or fortune in return. On that mission and in that mold, I promise to fulfill his legacy each and every day."

Bell served three years as an Atlantic County Freeholder At-Large and was a candidate for Assembly in 2015. He is a local attorney in Atlantic City, a former Assistant Atlantic County Prosecutor and was a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic City Boys and Girls Club.

Brown and Bell will engage in a debate in the Campus Center Theatre on the Stockton University campus on Wednesday night, Oct. 25, 6 p.m.

A public memorial in Whelan's honor will take place on Thursday, Sept. 14, at Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City.

Attendees can pay their respects in the receiving line from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., followed by the service from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

See related: Jim Whelan’s Sudden Passing Shocks Officials, Colleagues

Patch file photo