Three former 1st District Senators today endorsed Mike Testa for Senate in LD1.

Senators Nicholas Asselta, James Cafiero, and James Hurley, all former Republican State Senators that have represented New Jersey’s first Legislative District in the State Senate from 1974-2007 commented in favor of Testa’s candidacy.

“Since 2007, the first district has lost valuable programs like the Urban Enterprise and essential school funding due to lack of advocacy at the state level. Testa will bring our fight back to Trenton and make sure the voices of South Jersey residents are heard,” remarked Asselta.

Asselta, a fifth generation Vineland native, represrnted the first legislative district as an assemblyman from 1995 to 2003 and State Senator from 2003 to 2008. Michael Testa, also a lifelong Vinelander is a partner in his family’s law firm, Testa, Heck, Testa, and White Law Offices, a successful Vineland law firm for 36 years.

“Mike Testa will continue the same vision I had to build a successful future for New Jersey’s shore communities to thrive, said Cafiero, the first state senator to represent the newly constructed 1st Legislative District in 1974. After 24 years of service, he became acknowledged in Trenton as an icon of legislative policy and ethics. He has practiced law for 62 years and remains an active partner at Cafiero and Kaufmann in Wildwood.

“As the first Republican State Senator from Cumberland County, I am pleased to endorse Mike Testa as a candidate for the New Jersey 1st Legislative District Senate seat.” stated Hurley. “I am confident that Michael will represent the people of our district with professionalism, enthusiasm, and dedication.”

Hurley served as assemblyman from 1974-1981, and then as state senator from 1982-1989. He later went on to serve as Chairman of the Casino Control Commission.

There’s a special election in LD1 this year.

Testa is running in a Republican Primary for the seat against former Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi.

Senator Bob Andrzejczak (D-1) now occupies the seat, appointed as the replacement for U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (D-2), who last year won the 2nd Congressional District seat formerly occupied by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2).