First reported by InsiderNJ, members of the 2nd Legislative District of the Atlantic County Democratic Committee this evening unanimously elected former Freeholder Colin Bell to succeed the late Jim Whelan as the district’s state senator.

There are four months left on the unexpired term Mr. Whelan left behind on the seat.

In a run down election with Assemblyman Chris Brown (R-2) for the full, four-year  term, Senator-select Bell praised Senator Jim Whelan’s legacy and vowed the same commitment to Atlantic County’s families.

“The mark of a true public servant,” said Bell, “is someone who has the willingness to always remember who they serve and the courage to always defend their constituents’ interests. 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.”

The senator-elect served three years as an Atlantic County Freeholder At-Large and was a candidate for Assembly in 2015. A local attorney in Atlantic City, he’s also a former Assistant Atlantic County Prosecutor and was a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic City Boys & Girls Club.

Senator-select Bell will be seated and sworn into the New Jersey Senate at the next Senate quorum.