Timetable Set For Democrats To Name Replacement For Jim Whelan

Atlantic County Democrats have about a month to announce a temporary replacement for Jim Whelan in the State Senate. Whelan died at his home on Tuesday following a heart attack. He was 68 years old.

The Atlantic County Democratic Committee has 35 days to appoint a replacement, The Press of Atlantic City reports.

Also on Thursday, Whelan announced a public memorial in the late senator's honor would be held on Thursday, Sept. 14, at Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City.

Speakers will include statewide and local elected officials, business, sports and local university leaders as well as close friends of Senator Whelan.

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.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the "Stockton University Foundation" with "In Memory of Jim Whelan" written in the note section or donations are also accepted online at https://stockton.edu/development-foundation/index.html or a charity of your choice.

As for the appointment, whoever is appointed will fill the remainder of Whelan’s term. Whelan previously announced he would retire in January.

Democrat Colin Bell and Republican Chris Brown are running for the seat in the Nov. 7 general elections. They will engage in a debate in the Campus Center Theatre on the Stockton University campus on Wednesday night, Oct. 25, 6 p.m.

In addition to this debate, Democratic incumbent Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo and running mate John Armato will debate Republicans Vince Sera and Brenda Taube. Also running for Assembly in the 2nd District are independent Heather Gordon and Green Party candidate Mico Lucide.

In order to participate in the debates, The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University and The Press of Atlantic City — who are co-sponsoring the debate — set forth the following criteria:

• Each candidate must receive at least 7 percent support in a Stockton Polling Institute poll taken in the 2nd District; and
• Each candidate must report raising and spending at least $5,100, the minimum amount that triggers a state Election Law Enforcement Commission requirement to file a financial disclosure report 29 days before the Nov. 7, 2017 general election.

See related: State Sen. Jim Whelan Died Of Heart Attack, Office Says
See related: Jim Whelan’s Sudden Passing Shocks Officials, Colleagues

Attached image of Jim Whelan posted on the New Jersey State Legislature's website