Alyssa Dawson, a former staffer to LG Kim Guadagno was sworn-in tonight to a council seat in Westwood to succeed Councilman Peter Grefrath.  Dawson had announced her candidacy to run for Council in November alongside incumbent Ray Arroyo last month.

She was sworn-in by Guadagno in the council chambers.  

Dawson becomes the youngest female public official in the state, at 24 years-old, edging out Mendham Township Committeewoman Sarah Neibert, who’s 25, and was appointed to her seat earlier this year.

“I am humbled to have the opportunity to serve as the newest member of the Westwood Council,” Dawson told Insider NJ. “Tonight, at 24 years old, I have become the youngest female holding public office in the state. Youth is an incredible strength, as it allows me to connect with the younger demographic in Westwood and to be their voice as we work together to shape the future and continue the incredible successes of the rest of the governing body.

Grefrath resigned on May 1st from the Westwood Council after 23 years in office.  Dawson said Grefrath “left behind quite the legacy and while I have big shoes to fill, I am confident in my ability to serve and believe that my passion for Westwood will emulate through my work as a Councilwoman.”

Guadagno tweeted her congratulations to Dawson earlier this evening:

Congrats to @alyssakaye_xo just sworn in as THE youngest woman councilwoman in NJ. You and @SarahNeibert are the future of @NJGOP!

— Kim Guadagno (@KimGuadagnoNJ) May 16, 2018