Michael Pirog’s quest for a seat in the N.J. Assembly is now official.

Pirog, who is running as a Democrat, filed the necessary paperwork on Tuesday and is now entitled to receive and spend campaign funds.

Pirog, who describes himself as an unaffiliated voter and a moderate centrist, has never held elective office, but believes that will be in his favor as he believes the public is clearly dissatisfied with the political establishment.

He will be running against incumbent Parker Space and former county freeholder and state department of labor chair Harold Wirths, Republicans who are running as a team. Gail Phoebus, the other GOP state representative from District 24, has not indicated if she plans to seek another term.

Pirog, who voted for Hillary Clinton in November, criticized Space and Phoebus for their “no” votes on a measure that would have made it harder for domestic violence offenders to obtain guns, although he says that in general he supports gun rights. He also believes the state’s school-funding formula is inequitable and doesn’t benefit students in the 24th district.

Pirog’s campaign is maintaining a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pirogforassembly.