The Senate Republican leadership team called for Senate President Stephen Sweeney to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) that occurred on Monday, August 23.

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21), Deputy Leader Bob Singer (R-30), Conference Leader Kristin Corrado (R-40), Whip Joe Pennacchio (R-26), Deputy Whip Kip Bateman (R-16), and Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24) issued the following statement:

“We are deeply concerned that Senate President Sweeney will not recognize the swearing-in of Senator Polistina. We believe the families of the 2nd Legislative District deserve the representation and support that a sitting senator can provide during this extremely difficult time.

“Republican and Democratic legislators alike have experienced a significant increase in requests for assistance from constituents who are facing a variety of challenges during the pandemic, including the well-documented issues with Governor Murphy’s broken unemployment system and the MVC.

“It’s our understanding that the district office of former Senator Chris Brown in the 2nd Legislative District was engaged in a high volume of constituent work prior to closing.

“The Atlantic County residents who were being serviced in the 2nd District by their senator’s office deserve a swift and orderly transition to ensure their needs are met in a timely fashion. Many cannot afford to wait until November to have Senator Polistina begin working for them, as the Senate President has insisted they must. They deserve to have a senator working to resolve their problems today.”