BREAKING NEWS: Cleary replacing Kish as mayoral candidate

Richard Kish, who became the candidate after a write-in campaign during the Republican primary, has accepted a new job and will be moving to Texas.

By: Joseph Harvie
   Richard Kish, the Republican candidate for mayor, dropped out of the race Thursday because he is moving to Texas.
   Mr. Kish said Thursday that he is moving because of an opportunity at Union Carbide, a subsidiary of the Dow Chemical Company, where he has worked for 23 years. Mr. Kish is a 1979 graduate of South Brunswick High School and has lived in the township since 1970 except for a brief period when his job took him out of state.
   "It was one of those opportunities you can’t turn down," Mr. Kish said. "My career and family are more important than the things I’m doing here. Although I do love what I’m doing here in South Brunswick, I’m a career guy with my company."
   Lynda Woods Cleary, the Republican candidate for the Township Council, will now be the mayoral candidate, Mr. Kish said. There is one four-year council seat and the four-year mayor’s post on the ballot this year.
   "Lynda is absolutely, quite capable of the position," Mr. Kish said. "We talked about what we were looking to do for the township and to see what the citizens of South Brunswick deserve."
   That now leaves the council slot on the Republican ticket open. Township Clerk Barbara Nyitrai said that the Republicans have until Sept. 20 — 48 days prior to the election — to appoint a replacement.
   Ms. Cleary will square off against incumbent Democrat Mayor Frank Gambatese. Incumbent Democrat Chris Killmurray is the Democratic candidate for the council seat.
   Phone calls to South Brunswick Republican Committee President Roger Craig were not returned as of 4 p.m. Thursday.