By mark rosman
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — One of the two Democratic candidates running for a seat on the Township Committee is withdrawing from the race.
Danielle D. Stevens, 24, said she is withdrawing for personal reasons, but left open the chance that she might seek office sometime in the future.
Stevens works for the state Assembly Democratic Majority Office in Trenton handling constituent relations. She is a graduate of Douglass College, New Bruns-wick, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public affairs and politics at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
Stevens had expected to run on a ticket with Jason L. Levy, 31, in the November election, challenging Republican incumbents Raymond Kershaw and Anthony Ammiano. Two three-year seats will be up for grabs in the fall election.
At present — and has been the case for several decades — all five members of the municipal governing body are Republi-cans.
Stevens, who has lived in Freehold Township for 17 years, said she plans to remain involved in the Democrats’ campaign.
"There are some issues that need to be addressed," she said. "The Township Committee does a good job, but they need to do a better job. People seem to not be aware of what’s going on. There’s a lot of concern with sprawl, with overdevelopment, more traffic, more congestion and property taxes continue to rise."
Tim Dowd, the Democratic municipal chairman, said of Stevens’ withdrawal from the race, "It’s unfortunate. She’s a quality person who is genuinely interested in the good and welfare of the town’s future. She would have been an asset to the committee."
Dowd said he is interested in hearing from anyone who has an interest in joining the Democratic ticket. He said the party has until Sept. 17 to name a replacement for Stevens on the ballot. Dowd may be reached at (732) 409-2818.