By Nick Norlen, Staff Writer
Though the June primary is still months away, the coming days promise to be busy for the Princeton Democratic organizations making endorsements and nominations for seats on both Borough Council and Township Committee.
No Republican candidates have yet announced plans to run in either municipality, but at least one new face is guaranteed for each board due to the resignations of Borough Councilwoman Wendy Benchley and Township Committeewoman Victoria Bergman.
Ms. Bergman is finishing her term and her seat will be filled during the coming election. However, the resignation of Ms. Benchley, whose term expires in 2010, will require an appointment from the council, which will choose among three candidates nominated by the Princeton Borough Democratic Committee, in conformance to state mandate. Borough resident Kevin Wilkes officially announced Monday that he will seek that nomination.
Meanwhile, incumbent Borough Council members David Goldfarb and Barbara Trelstad are both up for re-election. No other candidates have announced plans to run.
In the township, three Democratic candidates have announced their intention to vie for the two available slots during the primary: incumbent Deputy Mayor Bernie Miller, township resident Sue Nemeth, and former Committeewoman Karen “Casey” Lambert, who was known as Casey Hegener when she was on the committee from 2002 to 2004.
The Princeton Township Democratic Committee will hold its endorsement vote on Monday. The two chosen individuals will appear in the official Democratic column on the ballot, according to Princeton Township Democratic Committee Chairman Dan Preston. Although a third candidate could appear in the column if he or she received enough votes, only two of the candidates would receive the official party designation, he said.
On Sunday, the Princeton Community Democratic Organization — the unofficial party group encompassing both towns — will hold its own endorsement vote for all candidates, as well as the replacement for Ms. Benchley, whose resignation became official on Monday.
Immediately after the PCDO endorsement that night, the Princeton Borough Democratic Committee will endorse council candidates as well as nominate three individuals for the council’s consideration to fill the vacancy. Princeton Borough Democratic Committee Chairman Andrew Koontz, who is also a borough councilman, said he hopes the Borough Council will make an appointment at its meeting on Tuesday. Under state law, the council has to appoint a replacement 15 days after it’s given the nominees.
Ms. Benchley’s replacement will appear on the June primary ballot, but is only guaranteed a seat on council until November, when the general election will take place. Whomever voters chose will then serve out the term until it expires in 2010.
Meanwhile, the Mercer County Republican Committee is scheduled to hold its annual nominating convention to select its candidates for federal and county offices on Wednesday at La Villa Ristorante, 2275 Kuser Road, Hamilton. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. and the nomination process will start at 7:30 p.m.
