The Hunterdon Democratic Committee tonight unanimously backed Mitchelle Drulis for the LD-16 seat currently held by Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer.

Jaffer is retiring.

The Hunterdon Democrats received no other nominations to replace her.

Drulis served as the district director in the office of U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski, who last year lost his reelection bid to Tom Kean, Jr.

This is the first of four county conventions to choose the eventual candidate for the open assembly seat in the June 6th primary election.

Drulis, a small business owner, lives in Raritan Township with her husband Michael and their daughter. She has an extensive knowledge and background in government, having served as Chief of Staff to Assembly Joe Egan (NJ-17) for 12 years prior to joining Malinowski’s staff.

“I am honored to receive the Hunterdon County Democratic Committee nomination for Assembly in the 16th District. Thank you to Chairwoman Arlene Perez, Democratic Municipal Chairs, and County Committee members for your support and the trust you have placed in me,” Drulis said. “I am ready to get to work for the families throughout the 16th District and hope to become the first Democrat from Hunterdon County to be elected to the State Legislature in over 40 years this fall.”

The 16th Legislative District spans four counties including Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties.