Somerset County Democratic Chair Peg Schaffer has been appointed Interim Vice Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, the organization announced today, as Vice Chair Lizette Delgado-Polanco stepped down from the position.

Delgado-Polanco resigned yesterday from her position as CEO of the NJ Schools Development Authority following a series of damaging articles by NorthJersey.com.

“Lizette Delgado-Polanco is a dear friend and has been a steadfast advocate for working families and a tremendous asset to our state party. I’m certain that she will continue to fight for progressive values,” said Chairman Currie. “I’m excited to join together with Peg Schaffer and bring her record of success to our party, with a focus on expanding outreach to grassroots and progressive activists, training more candidates and operatives, engaging new voters, and electing Democrats throughout the state.”

Schaffer was first elected Somerset County Democratic Chair in 2008, and during that time, Democrats have won numerous seats on the local, county, state and federal levels. Chairwoman Schaffer helped elect the County’s first Democratic Freeholders in decades and the County’s first Democratic Clerk, flipped control of several key municipalities, including Montgomery and South Boundbrook, elected Democrats in several towns that had never had Democratic representation, and was instrumental in organizing support for Congressman Tom Malinowski’s victory last year as well as wins in the State Legislature by Assembly members Andrew Zwicker, Roy Freiman, Joseph Danielson, Joseph Egan and more.

“Peg Schaffer is one of the Democratic Party’s transformational leaders, and her record of success in Somerset County building an organization that has picked up numerous victories speaks volumes about her abilities,” said Governor Murphy. “I know that our New Jersey Democratic State Committee will remain in strong hands with Chairman John Currie and Peg Schaffer, and I’m enthusiastically supporting this outstanding team.”

Since Governor Murphy took office last January, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee has significantly expanded its operations, fundraising, and overall capabilities. The party worked closely with Senator Bob Menendez’s re-election campaign last year as well as the campaigns of all the state’s Democratic Congressional candidates, resulting in a blue wave of victories across the state (notably in CD3, CD7, and CD11).

“The grassroots energy we’re seeing right now in the Democratic Party is unprecedented, and I’m ready to continue working to channel that enthusiasm into victories for Democratic candidates throughout the state,” said Chairwoman Schaffer. “I look forward to standing with Governor Murphy and Chairman Currie in the vitally important years to come as we work to build a stronger and fairer New Jersey.”

Schaffer will run for a full term alongside NJDSC Chairman John Currie with the strong support of Governor Phil Murphy.

Hudson County Chair Amy DeGise issued a statement of support for Schaffer.

Ocean County Democratic Committee Chairman Wyatt Earp likewise expressed his support.

“Peg is a fantastic pick for vice chair,” Earp told InsiderNJ. “I expect amazing things in our future.”