Inganamort Sworn-In, Begins New Post As NJ Assemblyman

CHESTER, NJ — The transition of power at the head of Chester’s township government has officially begun.

Former committeeman and most recent mayor, Michael Inganamort, has officially been sworn in as a 24th District Assemblyman.

Inganamort was sworn in on Jan. 9 during the reorganization of the 221st New Jersey Legislature. He was joined on Tuesday by his wife, Lauren, and their three daughters.

“Serving the people of the 24th Legislative District is a privilege,” Inganamort said. “I am committed to working tirelessly to address the needs of our community, especially small towns that are getting squeezed by a growing state government.”

Prior to being elected as mayor of Chester Township in November 2022, Inganamort also served as a member of the Chester Township Council for five years. He is currently the youngest member of the New Jersey Assembly Republican caucus.

Inganamort will now be responsible for representing the municipalities in the 24th District, which encompasses all of Sussex County as well as portions of Morris and Warren counties.

The district consists of Allamuchy, Andover Borough, Andover Township, Branchville, Byram, Chester Borough, Chester Township, Frankford, Franklin (Sussex), Fredon, Green, Hamburg, Hampton (Sussex), Hardyston, Hopatcong, Independence, Lafayette, Montague, Mount Olive, Netcong, Newton, Ogdensburg, Roxbury, Sandyston, Sparta, Stanhope, Stillwater, Sussex, Vernon, Walpack, Wantage, Washington (Morris).

"Thank you for the honor of representing the 24th Legislative District in the State Assembly. The honor now turns to responsibility. It’s time to get to work," Inganamort said on social media.

Inganamort was inaugurated on Tuesday alongside former Sussex County Commissioner Dawn Fantasia, the other new member of the 24th District Assembly.

Former Assemblyman Parker Space was chosen last year to replace retiring Steven Oroho and represent the district in the Senate.

Senator Space, Assemblywoman Fantasia, and Assemblyman Inganamort will operate a shared legislative office located at 1 Wilson Drive in Spata. The phone number is (973) 300-0200.

The legislators plan to open an additional office in Morris County in early 2024.

Inganamort resigned as mayor of Chester Township last week during the township's annual reorganization meeting. New Jersey law no longer allows a single person to hold two elected posts.

• Read More: Inganamort Departs Chester Township, Resigning As Mayor

To fill Inganamort's term as mayor, which ends in 2025, the Chester Township Republican Committee will recommend three candidates to the council.

That decision is scheduled to take place at the council's next meeting, on Jan. 16.

"Serving as mayor this past year and on the Council for the prior five years has been an incredible honor. While I will have a new position in Trenton, I’ll remain a proud Chester Township resident and will always look for ways to make state government work better for Chester," Inganamort previously told Patch.