Riley joins Assembly; first female lawmaker from Cumberland County

Celeste Riley, the former Bridgeton City Council president, was sworn into the state Assembly yesterday.

Riley, 49, takes the seat previously held by Assemblyman Doug Fisher, who was recently tapped to become the state's secretary of agriculture.

According to the Office of Legislative Services, Riley will be the first woman to represent the Third District, which includes parts of Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem Counties, and the first woman lawmaker ever from Cumberland.

"It has always been an honor to serve the people of Bridgeton and it is an even greater honor to have the ability to serve all residents of South Jersey," Riley said in a statement. "New Jersey is at a real turning point in its history and I look forward to joining my colleagues in addressing the challenges we face."

Riley is a teacher at Morris Goodwin Elementary School in Greenwich. Under state law, teachers are allowed time off, without using their own vacation days, to attend legislative committee hearings and voting sessions.

She was elected to the Bridgeton City Council in 2006 and resigned her seat Sunday.

"South Jersey's working families today gained another voice of experience and compassion to stand on their side in the Statehouse," said Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. (D., Camden). "Coming from a family with deep roots in South Jersey, Celeste is well-positioned to succeed."

Riley has a master's degree in arts administration from Drexel University and a bachelor's degree in music from La Salle University. She is a Cumberland Regional High School graduate.

The Third District's other lawmakers are Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney and Assemblyman John Burzichelli.