By Charles W. Kim, Packet Publications
Princeton resident Bill Spadea is out of the 16th Legislative District race.
”It’s important that I share with you the decision not to remain a candidate going forward,” the potential Republican primary candidate said in a Feb. 15 email to supporters. “Although I’m confident in our message and the diversity of the district lending favorably to a grassroots, conservative candidate like me, the financial commitment is potentially too high.”
Readington Committeewoman Donna Simon defeated Mr. Spadea and two others for the open Assembly seat caused by the death of incumbent Peter Biondi just two days after winning re-election in November.
A special GOP convention in Hillsborough Jan. 19 selected Ms. Simon over Mr. Spadea and South Brunswick candidate John Saccenti.
Barbara Sachau, a Raritan Township resident who jumped into the race as a fourth candidate the day prior to the convention, spoke to the group but did not receive any votes.
Ms. Simon garnered 155 of the 245 votes cast on the first and only ballot at the event at the Hillsborough municipal complex and was later sworn into office Jan. 30.
She will now stand for election in November for the rest of the unexpired two-year term.
At the time, Mr. Spadea said he would challenge Ms. Simon in the primary and that he did not think he would win the seat during the convention. However, that all changed last week.
In his email, Mr. Spadea estimated that a successful campaign for both the primary and general elections could cost him around $500,000.
”We’d be up against a Republican legislator and the GOP establishment that would be expected to rally behind the incumbent,” Mr. Spadea said in the email. “The cost estimated from our highly professional and experienced team is approximately $225,000 for the primary and if successful, another $400,000 plus to win the general (election).”
According to state election finance records, Mr. Spadea raised $25,400 so far for the campaign and had spent about $1,200.
The Jan. 17 report also lists almost $10,000 in outstanding obligations that Mr. Spadea said were paid in the email last week.
Ms. Simon did file an opening report for the primary on Jan. 17, but did not list any income or expenses.
As a comparison, Mr. Biondi and newly elected Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli each spent around $50,000 for their respective victories last year, according to their respective reports.
State Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman said Monday he thinks it is good Mr. Spadea dropped out of the race and the move would save resources for Ms. Simon to use in the general election.
”I think he is respecting the process,” Mr. Bateman said. “Hopefully he will support her as well.”
On the Democratic side of the equation, Princeton Township resident Sue Nemeth will likely challenge former candidate Marie Corfield in the June 5 primary for that party’s nomination.
Ms. Corfield and South Brunswick Councilman Joe Camarota both ran unsuccessfully for the seats in November.

