N.J. Assemblyman Frank Scalera leaves position to take private sector job

TRENTON — An Essex County lawmaker stepped down from his Assembly seat Monday. Fred Scalera, a Democrat who headed the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee, said he left to take a job in the private sector. “My decision at this time was a difficult one but sometimes we must make decision to serve others while at the...

Star-Ledger fileA 2003 file photo of Fred Scalera.

TRENTON — An Essex County lawmaker stepped down from his Assembly seat Monday.

Fred Scalera, a Democrat who headed the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee, said he left to take a job in the private sector.

“My decision at this time was a difficult one but sometimes we must make decision to serve others while at the same time protect and serve our family,” Scalera wrote in a resignation letter to Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex). “This decision was one of the hardest I had to make. I have been involved since I was 14 years old serving in public service.”

A retired Nutley deputy fire chief, Scalera, 52, has served in the Assembly since 2003 in a district that includes parts of Bergen, Passaic and Essex Counties. He did not name the company he’s going to work for.

During his seven years in the Assembly, Scalera sponsored more than 100 bills that were signed into law, according to Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Cryan (D-Union). Many of the bills dealt with homeland security issues and autism.

“That’s an impressive output, especially considering how many of them have to do with improving and ensuring public safety and looking out for those most in need,” said Cryan in a statement.

Democratic committee members from the district’s portions of Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties have 35 days to choose an interim replacement for Scalera, who will fill the remaining year of his term before facing reelection next November.

Previous coverage:

• N.J. Assemblyman Fred Scalera steps down from post