Mark Iorio bows out of race for Township Committee

Township Republican organization has until Sept. 13 to fill his ballot spot

By John Tredrea
   Hopewell Township Committeeman Mark Iorio (R) has decided not to seek a second three-year term on the Hopewell Township Committee.
   Saying he needs to spend more time with his growing family and running his marketing business, Mr. Iorio came to this decision just days after getting his party’s nod in the June 5 Republican primary.
   Two Township Committee seats are up for grabs in the November election. Running unopposed, Mr. Iorio and incumbent Judy Niederer garnered the Republican spots on the general election ballot.
   Mr. Iorio now has to inform Hopewell Township Clerk Annette Bielawski of his decision in writing. He also has to tell Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello, so his name can be removed from the ballot. According to Ms. Bielawski, the township Republican organization has until Sept. 13 to fill the ballot spot.
   "You start to weight things out," Mr. Iorio said Monday. "I think we’ve accomplished a lot on the committee, and I’ve certainly learned a lot. But when one of my kids asks to me help them with their math homework, I want to be able to be there to do it."
   Mr. Iorio and his wife have a 15-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son. "The committee takes you out of the house a lot and makes a lot of demands on your time and energy," he said. "I want to be able to spend more time with my children while they’re here with us."
   Mr. Iorio runs his own marketing business, The Mega Group, based in Ewing. "My business requires focus, concentration and effort," he said. "It can be a problem balancing the demands of my job and the demands of the Township Committee. It’s time to give someone else a chance on township government."
   Mr. Iorio said the primary "brought home to me that it’s time to say ‘I’m in’ or ‘I’m out.’ My withdrawing now gives the Republican Committee plenty of time to find a replacement for me for November."
   Mr. Iorio started the Mega Group 20 years ago. He is the Township Committee’s liaison to the youth, open space and agricultural advisory committees.