Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Three seats will be filled in November.
Hillsborough Board of Education member Thuy Anh Le has decided not to seek re-election in the district's first November balloting, opening a spot for Collins Drive resident Debashis Dutta. Voters will fill three, three-year terms on the board in November's general election, with current Board President Thomas Kinst and Gregory Gillette rounding out the ticket. Gillette, of Conover Drive, joined the board in 2007 and is seeking a third term. Kinst is completing his first term on the board. "I encourage other residents to take a turn to volunteer on the board because there are many issues to continue to work on," Thuy Anh Le said. "Your individual voice and vote makes an impact on the collective decision of the board and helps to maintain a…
The governor has not announced an appointment for Sen. Frank Lautenberg's vacant seat, which will be filled by an Oct. 16 election.
The governor’s race won’t be the only statewide office on New Jersey voters’ minds this year. During a press conference in Trenton Tuesday, Gov. Chris Christie called for a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of longtime Sen. Frank Lautenberg. A primary will be held Aug. 13, with the special election scheduled for Oct. 16. “Today, we begin the process of guaranteeing the voters of New Jersey have a voice in the process,” Christie said. “The issues the Senate is facing are too important for the people of New Jersey not to have an elected representative who represents the will of the voters.” Christie has not announced an appointment to the seat but said he expects to name one by next week. Christie would not say who …
As many here stop to reflect on the life of Sen. Frank Lautenberg, there are thoughts about his commitment and questions about his replacement in Washington.
New Jersey residents reacted Monday following the news that U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), 89, died in the early morning hours as a result of complications of viral pneumonia. Whether they were associates who had worked previously with the 5-term senator or simply constituents who lived in the state where Lautenberg had served since 1982, residents across the state were affected by the senator's death. "Frank Lautenberg has always been very reliable and beloved," said Gail Joseph of Long Branch. "When I was involved in organizations, he would always show up and take an interest in our causes." Rosemarie D'Alessandro, of Hillsdale, said she didn't always see eye-to-eye with Lautenberg, but nonetheless respected him as a leader. In 1997…
Gov. Chris Christie has 30 days to announce an appointment, but conflicting state laws could have an election this November or November 2014.
The death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) leaves an open spot in the U.S. Senate, a seat Gov. Chris Christie will appoint a candidate for in the interim. However, when candidates face the voters is not yet known. The U.S. Constitution affords Christie (R) the power to appoint a replacement within the next 30 days, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Christie can appoint either a Democrat or a Republican. New Jersey Office of Legislative Services (OLS) Public Information Office Assistant Director David Inverso said two state statutes offer guidance on when appointments and special elections may occur following a vacancy. These statutes are somewhat in conflict, however. One state statute calls for an election this …
Monday, June 3, 2013
Two Democrats and two Republicans seek votes in their respective primary races Tuesday.
Sporting a sky-high approval rating that's fluctuated between the high 60s and low 70s percentile during New Jersey's recovery in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Gov. Chris Christie has more than a fair chance at re-election in the upcoming gubernatorial race this fall. His opponents, however, are hoping that public opinion proves to be fickle. In Tuesday's primary election, two Democratic candidates are seeking approval to face off against Christie in the next election under the party banner. On the Republican side of the ballot, Christie is facing a primary challenge from an opponent who believes the governor has failed to adhere to the sense of conservatism and small government demanded by Republican ideals. For the Democrats, frontrunner…
Longest-serving New Jersey senator died of complications from pneumonia.
U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, the last World War II veteran in the senate, died Monday morning. He was 89. The five-term senator succumbed to complications from viral pneumonia at 4:02 a.m. at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell, his office said in a statement Monday morning. In 2010, Lautenberg announced he had stomach cancer and the senator has faced a series of health issues forcing him to miss votes. Although weakened, he returned to the Senate floor in April to vote on anti-gun violence measures, one of his signature issues. In February, the senator announced that he would not seek a sixth term, but promised that he was undergoing "a two-year mission to pass new gun safety laws, protect children from toxic chemicals and …
The program collects food for local food pantries.
The county kicked off its Curbing Hunger program in a special ceremony Monday at the Food Bank Network of Somerset County in Bridgewater. This is the 19th annual food drive to help boost food supplies at the network, the Franklin Township Food Bank and other Somerset County food pantries. The Curbing Hunger food drive is held throughout June to benefit organizations that help the hungry. In addition, this year there is an online option to donate food by clicking here. YouGiveGoods will deliver the food directly to the local food bank. “Many families are still struggling due to the extended recession and Hurricane Sandy,” Freeholder Director Peter Palmer said in a release from the county. “The demand at our food banks continues to exceed …
Members of Congress, community leaders and local politicians spoke about Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died Monday morning.
Following the death of longtime U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg early Monday morning, legislators and community leaders from around the state praised Lautenberg for his landmark legislation and his continuous work representing the state’s best interests. Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex), Democratic candidate for Governor, said Lautenberg fought for what he believed in and called the senator an "American hero." She offered her thoughts and prayers for his family. “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Frank Lautenberg. Senator Lautenberg exemplified the American spirit and his commitment and devotion to the country he loved was unmatched. He always answered the call to serve—first as a soldier in the United States Army during World War …
With a contested race for a Township Committee nod—and surprisingly, the governor's race—and new locations, voting may be heavier than usual. But will you be voting?
Primary elections are largely elected by voters, but there are some reasons why Tuesday's primary races may draw a higher turnout than usual. For starters, Hillsborough Democrats will pick a candidate to face Frank DelCore, the lone Republican, on November's ballots. This year, two Democrats are on the primary ballot—William Kole and John Reddan. Kole recently moved to another town and is consequently ineligible to run in November, but if he garners the most votes, the Hillsborough Democratic Organization will have Lisa Drozd placed on the ballot in his stead. But voters may be more surprised to see the challengers at the top of the ballot: Republicans have tapped Chris Christie for re-election, but Seth Grossman, the "Restore Republican …
Friday, May 31, 2013
William Kole moved out of district, leaving John Raddan on ballot—and Lisa Drozd as party nominee.
A surprise primary battle for the Democratic nomination to run for a Township Committee seat has fizzled, after one of the candidates, William Kole, announced he recently moved out of town. Kole had the endrosement of the official Democratic Party, but John Reddan, a member of the township's Historic Preservation Committee, had also filed for the nomination with the endorsement of the Hillsborough Democratic Alliance. Both names will appear on Tuesday's primary ballots, and should Kole garner the most votes, the Hillsborough Democratic Organization will put the name of Atkinson Circle resident Lisa Drozd on the November ballot, according to Michael Goldberg, chairman of the Democratic Organization. “This development occurred after the …
John Patten
11:44 pm on Tuesday, June 4, 2013
That is correct: three seats to fill, three candidates filed. It's certainly possible someone will file an independent petition to be added to the ballot, or someone could make a write-in bid, though. more ›