By Greg Forester, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR — A former councilman who is critical of the township’s current political environment will become president of a new Democratic club.
Franc Gambatese, who last served on Township Council in 2007 before being defeated in a close election, will be the Democratic Club of West Windsor’s chief officer as the club enters its second month of existence.
Earlier this summer, when council members were debating giving themselves 50-percent pay increases, Mr. Gambatese spoke out against the township’s mayor-council, nonpartisan form of government.
Later, he unsuccessfully challenged township Democratic chairwoman Rae Roeder for her seat on the township’s Mercer County Democratic organization, losing by a 16-13 vote.
The new club will work to find local Democratic candidates for office, register Democratic voters, and support the campaigns of the Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, and his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden.
The club’s membership also intends to make up for the shortcomings they see in the township’s existing political organizations, according to Mr. Gambatese, which “don’t really do anything.”
”This will provide Democrats an alternative,” said Mr. Gambatese, the manager of the Lowe’s Home Improvement store off Route 1.
A total of 19 new members of the club voted in early September to adopt bylaws, according to a statement released by Mr. Gambatese. Other elected club officers, serving terms until January of 2010, include Kamal Khana as the club’s vice president, Kathy Brennan as treasurer, and James Moeller as recording secretary.
With the formation of the new Democratic club, the party faithful won’t be forced to attend party social events in neighboring towns like Princeton and Cranbury, according to club members.
”Until now they couldn’t have a voice in electing leadership and supporting candidates,” said Mr. Gambatese.
Already, the club has been active.
The Senior Center was set to be the location for a club event Thursday, where new members were expected to be signed up.
State Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro), and the Mercer County co-chairman of the NJ for Obama campaign, Jeff Laurenti, were set to speak at Thursday’s event.

