Ocean City Councilman Elected To NJ Assembly: What Happens Next

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Councilman Antwan McClellan won Tuesday's election to represent the 1st legislative district in the State Assembly. With his city council term set to expire June 30, there are a couple different ways Ocean City could fill his seat.

Once the election results become official, McClellan will take state office Jan. 1. Ocean City Council has two options for filling his vacancy.

City Council can choose to accept applications for interim candidates to complete the final six months of McClellan's term. Council would then conduct private interviews with candidates before discussing and voting on an appointment at a public meeting.

The interim council member would take office Jan. 1. That person or any other eligible candidate could choose to run in the May 12 municipal election to serve the next four-year term as Second Ward City Council representative.

Council could also choose to leave the seat vacant until July 1, leaving it up for the voters to decide on McClellan's successor in the May election.

Ocean City faced a similar situation in September 2015. Mayor Jay Gillian appointed Council Vice President Michael Allegretto to become the new director of community services.

City Council unanimously approved Karen Bergman as Allegretto's successor in October 2015. She ran for reelection that spring and currently holds the position of council at large.

McClellan and fellow Republican Erik Simonsen led the unofficial tally Tuesday for both available District 1 assembly seats. The district flipped to Republican representation in both state chambers, with Mike Testa defeating incumbent Democrat Bob Andrzejczak for State Senate.

Ocean City's next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 14.

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