Seton Hall University Political Science Professor Matt Hale – who writes a column for this website – last night assumed a seat on the Highland Park Borough Council.

Hale made the announcement on Facebook.

“Just a brief note to announce that I was appointed to the Highland Park Borough Council last night,” Hale wrote this morning. “Highland Park is the best borough on the planet and I am very excited to help it stay that way.”

Hale, a Democrat, accepted the appointment to replace Councilman Matthew Hersh, who congratulated his successor.

“I did resign from the Council last month for an incredible opportunity with Gov. Murphy’s administration as director of communications at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, working on an inspiring and ambitious environmental policy agenda,” Hersh wrote on Facebook.