State Assembly District 1

Antwan McClellan

Antwan McClellan has been an assemblyman since 2019, serving as Republican whip since January 2022.

A lifelong resident of Ocean City, he served as councilman from 2012 to 2019, and as a member of the Ocean City Board of Education from 2010 to 2012. Additionally, he serves as a trustee on the Ocean City Historical Museum and volunteers for the South Jersey Field of Dreams, which provides the opportunity for special needs children to participate in sports programs.

A 1993 graduate of Ocean City High School, McClellan attended Virginia State University and Old Dominion University. He works as public information officer and personnel director in the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office.

Erik Simonsen

Erik Simonsen was sworn in as an assemblyman in January 2019.

A life-long resident of Lower Township, he previously served as councilman from 2013 to 2016 and mayor from 2017 to 2018.

Simonsen graduated from the College of New Jersey with a degree in fine arts. After earning a degree in special education from Rutgers University, he attended the University of Scranton where he received a master’s in educational administration. He is the athletic director of Lower Cape May Regional High School.

Simonsen has a diverse background beyond elected office. He is a singer, songwriter and front man of the band Twelve:01. Over the years, he has performed with: They Might Be Giants, Nils Lofgren of The E Street Band, Edwin McCain, Jewel, and many more national artists

Simonsen and his wife, Anna, have two daughters.