This political cycle has been a roller coaster, to say the least, for both incumbent politicos and aspiring officeholders in the state. This year’s election schedule includes June 28 and Aug. 23 primaries, and while the state’s redistricting saga waylaid some candidates’ best-laid political plans this summer, it has also allowed others to seek higher office.
Among those seeking a new opportunity due to the shifting of legislative boundaries is state Assemblymember Nathalia Fernandez, a Democrat who announced a bid for the Senate District 34 seat, a position held by state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi who decided to run for a congressional seat instead of seeking reelection. What amounts to Biaggi’s open seat will pit Fernandez in a primary against Progressive Christian Amato, a former Biaggi staffer and conservative Democrat James Gisondi, who unsuccessfully ran for Senate two years ago.
