So currently, we have no one declared...
If anyone still wonders if consolidation is necessary, here is your answer.
We've held Assembly elections before with far fewer than the number of Assemblymen to be elected before (5), and still managed to elect 5. I think I recall elections where only 2 have declared. And there is a proposed amendment to drop the size of the Assembly to 3 if not enough candidates declare.
One problem is that many Northeasterners are holding federal offices now, and there is a blanket prohibition on holding a federal and regional office.
