Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Gordon M. Johnson issued the following statement after former Tenafly Councilwoman Shama Haider and former Englewood Cliffs Councilwoman Ellen Park received the backing of the Democratic Committee of Bergen County to run as Democrats for the State Assembly in Legislative District 37.

They join Johnson for State Senate, also elected Tuesday evening, to fill out the district’s legislative slate and together make the most diverse ticket in Bergen County history.

Sixty members abstained from voting in a convention not attended by Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-37), Johnson’s opponent in the Democratic Primary.

But Johnson was happy nonetheless.

“I’m proud and humbled to head the most diverse, most inclusive and most exciting ticket in New Jersey,” said the 37th District Assemblyman nd the favorite to win the primary. “These two women are dynamic, powerful advocates for our community and I cannot wait to make Bergen County history alongside them.

“Thank you to the dedicated members of the Democratic Committee of Bergen County,” Johnson added.  “Committee members are our district’s advocates, organizers, canvassers and volunteers. They are the people that know our community best and it’s their commitment to the democratic principles of equality, inclusivity, diversity, and justice that have formed this historic legislative ticket.”

If elected, each member of the ticket would be a historical first, the assemblyman underscored.

Johnson would become the first Black State Senator from Bergen County. Haider would be the first Pakistani American and the first Muslim to serve in the state Legislature. Park would be the first Korean American woman to serve in the state Legislature.