By Heather Niccoli, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — The Democratic Party has chosen a third candidate to run for Borough Council on Nov. 8.
Walter Sikorski announced that the Hightstown Democratic Municipal Committee, of which he is chairman, had selected schoolteacher Gail Doran on July 19.
”I am very happy to be selected, quite frankly,” Ms. Doran said.
She has served on the Democratic Municipal Committee for the past year and a half. She is running for a one-year unexpired term. There are two three-year terms also up for grabs.
”She shows an interest in town government,” Mr. Sikorski said, explaining she is an active participant in government meetings.
Back in April, former Councilman Dimitri Musing resigned from Hightstown Borough Council after serving about half of a three-year term. Councilman Mike Vanderbeck was selected by the Borough Council on May 2 to replace Mr. Musing. His term is up in December, and he is not running this November to keep the seat.
Republicans have not yet named a candidate to run against Ms. Doran. The deadline is September.
They might name someone next month, according to Councilwoman Skye Gilmartin.
Councilwoman Gilmartin, chairwoman of the Hightstown Republican Municipal Committee, is running this November to keep her place on the council.
”The Hightstown Republicans are in the process of narrowing down potential candidates for the one-year unexpired term,” Ms. Gilmartin said. “Because we have until September, we are being very deliberate in our screening.”
Councilwoman Gilmartin credited Ms. Doran for knowing the issues.
”Ms. Doran will be a good candidate; she follows local issues closely and offers well-thought-out, bold opinions on many issues facing the council,” Councilwoman Gilmartin said.
There are a total of three seats up for election this November.
Councilwoman Isabel McGinty is opting not seek another term on council.
Ms. Doran joins fellow Democratic candidates Rob Thibault and Susan Bluth in the race.
Thus far, John Archer is running with Ms. Gilmartin on the Republican ticket.
