Story and Photo By Colleen Reynolds / Reporter

NUTLEY (Nov. 5, 2009) — Democrats Gary Schaer and Fred Scalera held onto their seats in the state Assembly by winning re-election over their Republican challengers, Don Diorio and Carmen Pio Costa, in the race to represent the 36th Legislative District. The tri-county region includes all of The Leader coverage area, as well as Garfield, Moonachie, Wallington, Nutley and Passaic.

A heavy slate of issues faces the two politicians as they resume their positions on the Assembly, including preventing future EnCap-style debacles, bringing back tax dollars for projects in the local area, combating public corruption and dealing with the Meadowlands Xanadu project and the landfill property formerly operated by EnCap Golf Holdings, LLC.

The assemblymen, along with state Sen. Paul Sarlo, gathered in Nutley to follow the statewide election results as they were being tabulated.

“I’m happy that the voters returned us to office,” said Scalera. “Assemblyman Schaer and I work hard in this district for all the residents, three different counties. We do take it very seriously. And we’re looking forward to continue to work for the residents of our 36th District.”

“We’ve certainly fought very, very hard for South Bergen. It is fundamental to what it is that we do. We’re honored by the results of today,” Schaer said, calling their victory a reaffirmation of what he, Scalera and Sarlo have done for the district over the past two years.

Schaer of Passaic drew on his financial expertise to position himself favorably with voters. A state assemblyman since 2006, he currently chairs the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee and serves as vice chair of the Assembly Budget Committee and Assembly State Government Committee.

Schaer has also been an advocate of greater assistance for those with autism and developmental disabilities, property tax reform, strengthening ethics laws, funding for New Jersey’s public colleges and bringing increased fiscal responsibility to the state budget. He was instrumental in the EnCap Reform bill recently signed by Gov. Jon S. Corzine and sponsored the Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act.

Scalera of Nutley has served on the state Assembly since 2003 and has authored legislation involving fire safety, homeland security and emergency response.