HOPEWELL VALLEY: Mackie, Fossel win primary in Hopewell

There will be board races in November

By Ruth Luse, Managing Editor
   In Hopewell Valley’s only primary election race, incumbent Democrat (regular organization) David Mackie, of West Prospect Street, and Democrat Chris M. Fossel, of South Lanning Avenue, came out on top in Tuesday’s three-way contest and will be on Nov. 5 general election ballots.
   Mr. Mackie had 165 votes and Mr.,. Fossel had 133. Democrat Ryan P. Kennedy, of West Broad Street, came in third, with 114 votes.
   Democrat incumbent Sean Jackson is not seeking re-election.
   No Republicans filed to run for the two three-year terms.
    In Hopewell Township, where two seats (three-year terms) are open on the Township Committee, four filed petitions in April. There was no primary race, but there will be a four-for-two race in November.
   Tuesday’s results are:
   — Democratic candidates will be Raymond E. Disch, of Hopewell-Amwell Road, who got 237 votes, and Horatio “Ray” Nichols, of Federal City Road, who received 232 votes.
   Mr. Disch is a former member of Hopewell Borough Council.
   — Republican candidates will be Todd Brant, of Overlook Road, who received 388 votes, and John R. Hart, of Titus Mill Road, who got 390 votes.
   Mr. Hart is a former mayor and member of the Township Committee. Incumbent Republicans James Burd and Michael Markulec are not seeking re-election. Mr. Mackulec is now a candidate for the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education.
    — In Pennington Borough, two seats (three-year terms) will be filled Nov. 5. There was no primary race and no contest is expected in November. The candidates are incumbent Democrat Mary Anne Heino, of North Main Street, who got 62 votes, and Democrat Charles “Chico” Marciante, of Voorhees Avenue, who received 57 votes.
   Incumbent Democrat Tom Ogren is not seeking re-election to Borough Council, No Republicans filed.
    — For those interested in Hopewell Valley’s primary totals for the Nov. 5 race for New Jersey governor, they are: Republicans — Chris Christie (incumbent), 504, and Seth Grossman, 38; Democrats, Barbara Buono, 470, and Troy Webster, 44.
   TUESDAY also was the day when those who want to serve on the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education had to file as candidates for the election that will be held Nov. 5.
   State law required that all school-board nominating petitions for the November election had to be delivered to the Mercer County clerk by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
   The following seats will be filled in November:
   — Hopewell Township — Two three-year terms. They are held now by Stephen Keen and Jim Wulf, who did not file petitions Tuesday.
   Those who filed are: Michael Markulec, 69 Fiddlers Creek Road, Titusville; Bruce Gunther, 301 Pebble Creek Court, Hopewell Township; Neil S. Seftor, 11 Harbourton-Woodsville Road, Hopewell Township; and Michael C. Ruger, 1443 Trenton-Harbourton Road, Hopewell Township.
   — Hopewell Borough — One three-tear term. This seat is held now by Gordon Robert Lewis, 39 W. Broad St. Mr. Lewis filed Tuesday and will seek re-election.
   Melvin H. Myers, 119 W. Prospect St., also filed. Mr. Myers is a former member and president of the school board.
   The one Pennington Borough seat is not involved in this year’s election.