Northfield Mayor Vincent Mazzeo and Longport Mayor Nick Russo this evening announced their intent to seek the Democratic nomination for the New Jersey General Assembly in Legislative District 2.

“We believe that we will bring a local government perspective to the Legislature. We know how difficult it is to balance local municipal budgets and maintain services when real estate values have declined and our regional economy is struggling,” the candidates said in a joint statement.

Allies of incumbent state Sen. Jim Whelan (D-2) are running against GOP Assemblymen John Amodeo and Chris Brown.

Amodeo and Brown are running with Whelan challenger Atlantic County Sheriff Frank Balles, who formally kicked off his candidacy earlier today.

“In addition to my work as mayor and in promoting shared services, I believe my 27 years of experience as a businessman will be instrumental as I consider legislation in Trenton,” said Mazzeo.

“My experiences in local government, education,  law enforcement and on criminal justice issues will be areas where I can make a contribution to enacting sound public policy at the state level,” said Russo.

Mazzeo and Russo said their experience as mayors and in business and law enforcement will complement the "very fine work being done by Senator Whelan.”

“The issues we will be emphasizing in the months ahead will include helping our region recover from Hurricane Sandy, rebuilding and diversifying our regional economy and relief for our taxpayers from onerous property taxes," the pair said. "Our families in the second district face severe challenges. They are losing ground under Republican policies – whether it’s New Jersey’s high unemployment rate, erosion of the minimum wage, or cuts in access to health care for working mothers. Our middle class working families need a team in Trenton that will work hard every day on their behalf. That is what we intend to do if we are given the privilege and the opportunity to represent the residents of the 2^nd Legislative District.”