PRINCETON: Democrats to make non-local endorsements Sunday

By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
   The Princeton Community Democratic Organization will be hosting candidates and making endorsements in the state, county and federal races at its public meeting on Sunday night.
   Attendees will have a chance to ask questions of each of the candidates.
   U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez will kick off the endorsement meeting with his first in-person attendance at a 2012 endorsement meeting for his re-election.
   Jackie Cornell-Bechelli, New Jersey State Director for President Obama’s Re-Election Campaign will present the latest on the presidential race.
   It was unclear whether U.S. Rep. Rush Holt would be in attendance.
   The two candidates for Assembly Sue Nemeth of Princeton and Marie Corfield of Flemington will each make opening statement, followed by direct audience questions. This will be the only contested race of the evening.
   The three Mercer County Freeholder candidates — Ann Cannon, Pasquale “Pat” Colavita and Samuel Frisby — will each speak briefly and take audience questions as a group.
   Members will vote after the Assembly debate. To win the PCDO endorsement, a candidate must receive at least 60 percent of the ballots cast.
   Ballots will be counted while Freeholders speak, and the results announced at the end of the meeting. Unopposed candidates, all but the Assembly, will be endorsed by acclamation.
   The Feb. 26 meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Suzanne Patterson Building, 45 Stockton Street, Princeton, behind Princeton Borough Hall.
   Local races will be featured at the PCDO’s March meeting to allow for ample time for all the candidates.
   ”We often have a separate endorsement meeting for local races, especially when there is a contest for an open seat,” said Dan Preston, PCDO president. “Since all seven seats on the new Princeton government are open (6 Council and 1 Mayor) and a healthy number of candidates is expected, a separate meeting is necessary for all to be heard. In fact, we are starting the March 25 meeting at 6 p.m., rather than 7:30, to allow extra time if needed.”
   Local candidates must announce they are seeking the PCDO endorsement by March 11, 14 days before the meeting, in order to be considered for endorsement on March 25.