Mosquera Finally Takes Oath

Gabriela Mosquera was finally sworn in as interim assemblywoman on Monday, ending months of legal battles over the 4th Legislative District seat.

“This is truly an honor,” Mosquera said in a statement issued by the New Jersey Assembly Democratic Majority Office. “Working at the local level, I’ve had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the issues that weigh heavily on families in our state.  I’m eager to get to work and join my colleagues in creating solutions to ease the burden on the working class men and women of New Jersey.”

A special election will be held in November to determine who will fill the remaining year on the already-truncated two-year term.

Mosquera, a Gloucester Township resident, defeated Republican candidate Shelley Lovett, also of Gloucester Township, in the Nov. 8 Assembly election, receiving more than 19,000 votes, but Lovett challenged Mosquera's candidacy a month later.

Lovett contended Mosquera, who moved into the 4th Legislative District in December 2010, did not meet New Jersey's one-year residency requirement to run for office—a rule that had been ignored for a decade after a federal court issued an injunction barring it from being used.

The New Jersey Supreme Court last month agreed with the December ruling of a Superior Court judge who held that the one-year residency requirement was in fact constitutional and that Mosquera did not meet it.

The Supreme Court decision, however, stipulated that the Democratic Party could appoint the person to fill the Assembly seat on an interim basis, and Democrats in Camden and Gloucester counties decided last week to go with Mosquera.

It appears likely the Democratic Party will run Mosquera in the November special election.

Mosquera, who was born in Ecuador and moved to New Jersey at 3 years old, joins Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (D) in representing the residents of Gloucester Township, Winslow Township, Washington Township, Monroe Township, Pitman, Chesilhurst, Clementon, Laurel Springs, and Lindenwold in Trenton.

Mosquera received the oath of office from Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver at the Statehouse.

"She brings an abundance of institutional knowledge and a fervent commitment to the working families of this state.  I know that she will represent her constituents proudly in Trenton,” Oliver said in the statement.

Mosquera previously served as director of policy for former 5th Legislative District Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez.