Chester Mayor Confirms Run For Open 24th District Assembly Seat 

CHESTER, NJ — Mike Inganamort, only a few weeks into his term as mayor of Chester Township, has announced his intention to run for an open State Assembly seat in the 24th legislative district.

Inganamort made the announcement with his running mate, Sussex County Commissioner Dawn Fantasia on Wednesday, Jan 18, citing that it’s time for fresh, new conservative leaders in NJ-24.

There will be two open State Assembly seats in the 24th legislative district this election season, as incumbents Parker Space (R-Wantage) and Hal Wirths (R-Wantage) previously announced their intention to not seek re-election.

Inganamort, who was elected mayor of Chester Township last November, ran for the Republican nomination after the previous mayor Marcia Asdal, chose not to run for re-election in the 2022 election cycle.

According to Inganamort, the decision to run for State Assembly was not premeditated.

"People encouraged me to run for Assembly starting last year, but I did not contemplate actually jumping in, with a running-mate no less, until last week. That is when the field was set and the opportunity to run with Sussex County Commissioner Dawn Fantasia presented itself," Inganamort said.

Both Inganamort and Fantasia are running on a conservative platform, with the main issues being tax cuts, police support and a review of the current school funding formula.

When asked why he chose to run for the open seat, Inganamort told Patch he, "determined our community needed a voice."

While the election season would not begin until the summer with the initial primary elections, Inganamort stated his commitment to Chester Township while he is mayor.

"We have a lot to get done in Chester Township this year, and that doesn’t change. If I were to be elected to the Assembly, the Chester Township Republican Committee would recommend a replacement to the council," Inganamort said.