Joseph Lagana

Joseph A. Lagana (born December 15, 1978) is an American Democratic Party politician who has represented the 38th Legislative District in the New Jersey Senate since 2018. He previously served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2014 to 2018.

Joseph Lagana
Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 38th district
Incumbent
Assumed office April 12, 2018
Preceded by	Robert M. Gordon
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 38th district
In office January 14, 2014 – April 12, 2018
Preceded by	Paul Contillo
Succeeded by	Lisa Swain Chris Tully
Personal details
Born	December 15, 1978
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Jamie Lagana
Residence	Paramus, New Jersey
Alma mater	Fordham University (B.A.), Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D.)
Occupation	Attorney
Website	Legislative web page

Biography

Lagana was raised in Ridgefield where he served on the borough's planning board.[1] He attended Fordham University, where he received a B.A. in history in 2000 and later attended the Thomas M. Cooley Law School where he received his J.D. in 2004.[2][3] He has served as a clerk to Superior Court Judge John A. Conte before joining Chasan Leyner & Lamparello, a law firm in Secaucus as a partner.[3]

In April 2009, he moved to Paramus.[1] Lagana and his Democratic running mate defeated two incumbent Republican councilmembers in the Paramus borough council elections of 2011.[4] Lagana served as a Councilman for Paramus, New Jersey.[5] After Democrats gained a majority of the six-person borough council after the 2012 elections, Lagana was named council president in January 2013.[6]

Lagana declared his candidacy for the 38th district in the November 2013 elections, to succeed Connie Wagner, who was not running for reelection. When Wagner resigned in September, Lagana indicated that he was not interested in filling the remainder of her term; 38th District Democrats chose former Assemblyman and State Senator Paul Contillo to fill the remainder of her term.[7] Lagana won the election and was sworn in on January 14, 2014 at the start of the 2014 session.[8] In the Assembly, he serves on the Appropriations Committee, the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, and the Judiciary Committee.[9]

He is married to Jamie Lagana and has three daughters.[1]

References

1. Wassel, Bryan (November 7, 2011). "Incumbents face challenge for council seats in Paramus". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
2. "Assemblyman Joseph A. Lagana Bio Page". NJ Assembly Majority Office. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
3. "Joseph A. Lagana". Chasan Leyner & Lamparello, PC. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
4. Ma, Myles (November 9, 2011). "Update: Bellinger, Lagana Give Democrats Council Foothold". Patch Media. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
5. "In the Spotlight: Councilman Joseph Lagana -Amanda Antonucci- Garden State Journal". gardenstatejournal.com. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
6. Ensslin, John C. (January 6, 2013). "Paramus seats new council, celebrating progress and preservation". The Record. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
7. Ensslin, John C. (September 30, 2013). "North Jersey Assemblywoman Connie Wagner resigns office". The Record. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
8. "Lagana Sworn in as Newest Member of General Assembly Former Paramus Councilman Will Now Represent 38th Legislative District". States News Service. January 14, 2014. Archived from the original on February 23, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
9. "Assemblyman Joseph A. Lagana (D)". New Jersey Legislature. Retrieved September 28, 2015.

External links

• New Jersey Legislature web page
• Profile at Vote Smart