Write-in candidate out of mayoral race

Lambertville Mayor David Del Vecchio faces no opposition for a sixth straight term.

By: Linda Seida
   LAMBERTVILLE — The city’s longtime Democratic mayor, David Del Vecchio, is virtually assured of another win in the Nov. 7 general election now that Republican rival Andrew Gunn has withdrawn from the mayoral race.
   "I really hadn’t chosen to run for mayor," Mr. Gunn said Tuesday afternoon.
   Instead, the decision to accept a write-in candidacy was more an act of supporting his political party, which had asked him to be a write-in candidate because it was "in a bind," he said.
   "Months went by, and here it is October," Mr. Gunn said. "Nobody else stepped up."
   "I wish Mr. Gunn luck in whatever he does," Mayor Del Vecchio said. "I hope people will still come out and support me in November."
   Mr. Gunn, 34, who works in sales for the insurance company Aflac, contacted city Clerk Lori Buckle on Oct. 5 to pull out of the race. However, because of the timing, his name must remain on the ballot.
   Technically, if he receives enough votes, Mr. Gunn still could win the election. He would have the option of accepting or rejecting the office.
   If he declined to accept the position of mayor, then the municipal vacancy law would go into effect. The municipal vacancy law would give Mr. Gunn’s party the right to submit the names of three candidates, from which the city’s governing body would choose one to be mayor.
   If he won, would Mr. Gunn decline?
   "I’m going to say yes right now because it’s an unlikely scenario," he said. "Maybe I would say yes otherwise, but I really doubt it."
   Candidates had until Sept. 18 to withdraw, according to Ms. Buckelew. The candidate’s party then had until Sept. 20 to place another name on the ballot. By law, ballots must be at a printer by Sept. 25. Absentee ballots must be mailed by Sept. 29.
   Mr. Gunn earned 10 write-in votes in the June primary, one more than necessary to place his name on the ballot and enable him to run against Mayor Del Vecchio.
   Mayor Del Vecchio has held office since 1991. He is seeking a sixth three-year term.