By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
Fourteenth District Republicans all newcomers will be challenging incumbent Democrats this year for state Legislature seats.
The candidate endorsed by the Mercer County Republican Committee on Thursday evening for state Senate is Richard Kanka of Hamilton, who is known for his family’s efforts to get Meghan’s Law passed after his daughter was murdered by a repeat sex offender in 1994.
”One hat I don’t wear is professional politician, but there’s always room for another hat on my head,” he said. “New Jersey is a great, great state, and in my lifetime I’ve seen the best, I’ve seen the worst. I’ve also seen in the incredible capacity for coming together.”
A tradesman who installs and repairs heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and is a member of Local 9 of the plumbers and pipe fitters union, Mr. Kanka sees a lack of jobs in building trades.
”We need to attract businesses to the state, not tax the existing ones out,” he said. “I didn’t join this race to run against anyone, just to represent those that are left out.”
Republican Assembly candidates are David Fried and Wayne Whitman.
Mr. Fried, Robbinsville mayor and Mercer County GOP co-chair, is the founder of a human resources company and says the Legislature needs mayors who know how to balance budgets.
”I’m excited because our governor has been working hard and he needs a Legislature that supports him,” he said. “We cannot continue to kick the can down the road for future generations.”
Another former mayor, Cranbury resident Mr. Whitman, rounds out the Republican ticket.
”Now more than ever we need to send new legislators to Trenton to make the tough choices need to be made to turn New Jersey around,” he said. “I entered this race to continue to put our ideas of limited government, family values, low taxes and economic growth in top public policy.”
They also have endorsement from Middlesex County Republicans, who made its endorsement Wednesday night.
Incumbent 14th District Democrats are Senator Linda Greenstein, Assemblymen Wayne DeAngelo, and Assemblyman Dan Benson.
In the redrawn 16th District, incumbents Sen. Christopher Bateman Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi and Assemblywoman Denise Coyle received endorsements.
The 16th District Democrat candidates are Maureen Vella of Hillsborough for Senate; South Brunswick Councilman Joe Camarota and Marie Corfield of FlemingTon for Assembly.
The 15th District endorsed candidates are Don Cox for Senate; Kathleen Kilcommons and Peter Yull for Assembly.
Jonathan C. Savage of Ewing was endorsed for Mercer County executive. He is a current member of the Ewing school board. Mr. Savage is vice president and regional manager for Pennoni Associates, a regional engineering company.
His biggest reason for running is the high taxes in Mercer County and what he calls “lack of leadership at the county level.”
”I’m appalled to see our county tax rates have exceeded our municipal rates,” he said. His slate of issues includes cutting county taxes, no-show jobs, mismanagement and misspending. He proposes the creation of an economic development plan and wants work with towns to help attract businesses to the county. “We will provide real leadership and vision of where our county should progress.”
Richard Urbani, a former corrections officer from Hamilton Township, is the nominee for Mercer County sheriff. He would give up his Department of Corrections pension if elected. He will address gang violence and drug issues if elected.
”I know exactly what needs to be done,” he said. “(Addressing) gang issues will also address drug issues.”
Lisa Richmond is the surrogate nominee. The first-time candidate is an attorney and a 20-year Hamilton Township resident.
”I wanted to get involved and make a difference and I’m in a position in my life where I can,” she said. “I’m prepared to move forward. I work with the office of the surrogate now, and with my background and experience I know we can enhance that office.”
All freeholder nominees believe that fiscal responsibility happens at the county level and spending needs to be managed more effectively.
Jim Castelise, freeholder nominee from Ewing, is running for an unexpired one-year term. He said he wants to control spending to bring businesses back to the county and the way to do that is gain control of the freeholder board.
”Right now special interests are running the county,” he said. “We need to make this county friendly to the businesses and the residents again, we need to control spending so we can lower taxes and bring back jobs to the county.”
Deon Clark of Trenton is running for a three-year term. He is a lifelong Trenton resident and former Democrat.
”I come from the mean streets of Trenton, the lower east ward on Walnut Avenue, as tough as it gets,” he said. “Gang bangers, the drug dealers, the Bloods, the blight and the trash, whatever it is, it’s there, and looking around the room, I know you good people don’t want it in your community. That’s why I feel I would be best to stop those things coming into your communities.”
Politicians have to look past party lines for reforms.
”We have to get past the Republican-Democrat nonsense,” he said.
Volunteer firefighter and Hamilton Mayor Dave Mayer, is a nominee for freeholder. He spoke about how the freeholder board has sold off county assets to save taxpayer money, but there have been county tax increases in spite of these measures.
”We can no longer survive with them trying to save us money,” he said.

