Strong support from the NJOA comes on the heels of endorsement by
the NJ Second Amendment Society in LD24 Race for Senate and Assembly

April 14, 2023, 24th Legislative District – The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance (NJOA) has endorsed Parker Space for Senate, and Dawn Fantasia and Mike Inganamort for Assembly in this year’s GOP Primary Election.

NJOA represents the 1.2 million New Jersey sportsmen and sportswomen by supporting outdoor-minded legislation and legislators who support hunting, fishing, trapping and the conservation of our natural resources in New Jersey.

“Assemblyman Parker Space has been a leader on our issues from Day One, and we are proud to endorse him for State Senate, as well as his team for State Assembly, Sussex County Commissioner Dawn Fantasia and Chester Township Mayor Mike Inganamort,” said John Rogalo, NJOA President and Sussex County resident. “The Space, Fantasia and Inganamort team have impressed us with their steadfast commitment – in word and deed – to conservation and to the overall health of our natural resources. Moreover, they are all active outdoors people who truly care about our mission and will promote it in Trenton.”

Rogalo also noted that the Space-Fantasia-Inganamort team’s commitment to sound bear management, including a bear hunt, and their strong support for law-abiding gun owners, were both critical to earning NJOA’s support.

“Outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and trapping are all part of growing up in Sussex County and the northwest corner of the state,” said Fantasia. “Our unique and special way of life depends on preserving these traditions and taking wildlife management seriously. To earn the NJOA’s support as the legislative ticket that they believe is best suited to lead this fight in Trenton, is an honor and privilege I take very seriously.”

Fantasia is a freshwater and saltwater sportswoman who bow fishes, crabs and clams.

“Having grown up hunting in Sussex County and beyond, it means a lot to earn the support of fellow hunters,” said Inganamort, who previously served at the U.S. Department of the Interior during the Bush Administration. “I know firsthand that hunting is not only a proud tradition and economic boon for northwest New Jersey, but also an effective and ethical way to manage imbalanced wildlife populations, especially white-tailed deer and black bear.”

As the Assembly Republican Co-Chairman of the New Jersey Angling, Hunting, and Conservation Caucus, a lifelong hunter who preaches responsible gun ownership and promotes sound wildlife policies through educational programs at his zoo, Parker Space is widely seen as the conservative conscience of the legislature on outdoor issues.

“As a life member of the National Rifle Association, member of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, and member of the NJ Farm Bureau, the sanctity of the 2nd Amendment and the critical importance of conservation are true passions of mine,” said Space, who is unopposed in the GOP Primary Election. “In making my decision to run with Dawn and Mike, I knew we were all aligned on these critical issues and I am confident they will take the reins from Hal Wirths and me in the State Assembly and be leaders on these issues in the lower house.”

Space, along with his former running mates Steve Oroho and Hal Wirths – who have heartily endorsed the Space-Fantasia-Inganamort ticket – championed legislation to clarify that the Fish and Game Council have the sole authority to regulate freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping (S1685 and A114); provide for no net loss of DEP lands for fishing, hunting, and trapping purposes (S1686 and A110); authorizing Sunday firearm and bow hunting for deer on certain lands (S3582 and A5203); and a constitutional amendment ensuring the rights of New Jersey residents to fish and hunt (SCR72 and ACR15).

The Space-Fantasia-Inganamort team were against Governor Murphy’s attempt to indefinitely close state lands such as parks, forests, and wildlife management areas, shooting ranges, and prevent firearm sales during the early days of the pandemic and oppose all of Governor Murphy’s new gun control laws.

###