By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
LAMBERTVILLE — The Republican candidate for City Council has dropped out of the race, leaving two Democrats unchallenged in the Nov. 4 election.
Rick Anthes Jr., 22, said he requested his name be removed from the ballot because of the demands of a new job.
In September, he began working for AmeriCorps as a watershed ambassador, a job that entails frequent travel around the state, he said.
”I’m very privileged to have the opportunity to run, but career development is more of a key move than running at this time,” Mr. Anthes said.
Mr. Anthes’ absence virtually assures two Democrats, Lambertville Public School Board of Education member Beth Asaro and incumbent Councilman Ron Pittore, will win the two open council seats.
Mr. Anthes recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries conservation. He received 11 write-in votes from Republicans in the June primary, three more than needed to win a spot on the ballot in the general election.
He is the son of Dorothy Anthes, a former member of the Lambertville Public School Board of Education, and Richard Anthes, a former member of the City Council and South Hunterdon Regional High School Board of Education.
Ms. Asaro, 49, is running for the council seat left vacant by Cynthia Ege, who declined to run again. She will have to resign from the LPS board before accepting a seat on the council.
She is a chief of staff at AT&T and for three years was the public relations manager for the Women of AT&T in New Jersey.
Mr. Pittore, 62, is running for his second three-year term. Mr. Pittore has been a lawyer since 1972. His father served as mayor of Lambertville.

