Newly minted state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17), is congratulated by Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto after being sworn in on Oct. 16.

The first word township resident Joe Danielsen said as a state Assemblyman was, “Wow.”

He didn’t really say it as much as mouth it as he walked up to a microphone in the Assembly chamber Oct. 16 after having been sworn in to the post by Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto.

Danielsen, a lifelong township resident, was selected to fill the term vacated by former 17th Legislative District Assemblyman – and fellow township resident – Upendra Chivukula, who left the state Legislature to become a commissioner with the Board of Public Utilities.

With his wife, Christine, and children looking on with the rest of the assembly and visitors, Danielsen pledged to not let his new colleagues down.

“The road I took this morning to get here was not Route 1,” he said. “It was a road paved by thousands of soldiers, fire fighters and police officers, my siblings, friends and neighbors, my beautiful wife and children.”

“They got me here to fight for the ideas and principles important to New Jersey and keep to moving,” he said.

Danielsen said he was proud “to be a colleague among the greatest group of leaders in New Jersey. I will not let you down.”

Several of Danielsen’s new peers welcomed him to the legislature.

Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D-6) praised Danielsen for his “enthusiasm.”

“One of my favorite days is the day we welcome new members and they come in with their families,” he said.

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield), the Republican Leader, said Danielsen has a “remarkable resume, someone who has served our country and our state.

Danielsen, chairman of the township Democrats, is a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the 78^th Div. Reserve TNG from 1982-1991, and has been a volunteer fire fighter for the past 22 years.

He was also a township fire commissioner from 2000-2006, and served 14 years on the Planning Board.

Danielsen’s wife, Christine – a member of the Board of Education – said she was very proud of her husband.

“This is a great day for Joe,” she said. “I’m very excited to see what he can do for the state of New Jersey.”

One of Danielsen’s daughters, Ava, said she thought her father’s service in the legislature “is a great thing.”

“He’s my hero,” she said.

His other daughter, Jenna, said she was “very proud of my father and how much he is doing for the state.”

Also accompanying Danielsen was his son, Joey.

Joe Danielsen Sworn In As State Assemblyman