The early race for the 12th Congressional District is already heating up a little more than a week after U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, D-12, announced his retirement.
By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
The early race for the 12th Congressional District is already heating up a little more than a week after U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, D-12, announced his retirement.
The eight-term congressman said last week that he would not seek a ninth term in congress this November.
From a field of several potential candidates, three Democrats and one Republican have emerged thus far as the main players vying for the seat.
State Sen. Linda Greenstein, D-14, and Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman, D-15, have spent the last seven days racking up endorsements from their respective supporters in the counties they currently represent.
Sen. Greenstein picked up a number of endorsements from Democrats in Middlesex County, including the county organization and representatives from each town in the district.
In a Feb. 21 press release, Middlesex County Chairman Kevin McCabe cited Sen. Greenstein’s commitment to progressive values and working families.
”Middlesex County is united and committed to electing Linda Greenstein to the United States Congress,” said Chairman McCabe. “Simply put, there is no stronger advocate for the progressive values that we as Democrats embrace than Sen. Greenstein. Whether it is fighting for paid family leave, protecting seniors from predatory scams or standing up for organized labor, Sen. Greenstein embodies the best that public service has to offer. She has represented Middlesex and Mercer Counties as an outstanding legislator for almost 15 years and I am confident that she will be just as strong an advocate for our interests in Washington.”
The list of supporters endorsing Sen. Greenstein includes Cranbury Mayor Susan Goetz, Jamesburg Mayor Marlene Lowande, Monroe Mayor Richard Pucci, Plainsboro Mayor Peter Cantu and South Brunswick Mayor Frank Gambatese.
Assemblywoman Coleman picked up endorsements from Mercer County Democrats including County Executive Brian Hughes, who considered a run at the seat himself last week.
”(Assemblywoman Coleman) is a friend since my earliest days in politics,” Mr. Hughes said. “She has the temperament, abilities and strengths to represent the district in congress.”
Mr. Hughes said he talked to friends and family before deciding not to run and to throw his support behind assemblywoman Coleman.
Mr. Hughes ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-5, in 1992.
During a Feb. 20 event, Mercer County Democrats formally threw support to Assemblywoman Coleman.
”Mercer County has been a strong Democratic County for decades now, thanks in large part to the hard work of Bonnie Watson Coleman,” Chairwoman Elizabeth Muoio said. “As a longtime Mercer (County) resident, former State Democratic Chair and former Assembly Majority Leader, we have been fortunate to have her fighting on Mercer’s behalf and we look forward to having her continue fellow Mercer resident Rush Holt’s legacy in Congress.”
In Somerset County, Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, D-17, is also making a bid for the seat and, like his fellow Democratic candidates, is expected to be endorsed by party members in that county.
County party officials did not respond to comment requests as of Thursday.
On the Republican side, Piscataway Dr. Alieta Eck is seeking her party’s nomination in the race.
Dr. Eck lost her bid for the party’s nomination last year for a vacant U.S. Senate seat following the death of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.
Dr. Eck lost to GOP candidate Steve Lonegan in the primary for that race.
Former state Sen. Barbara Wright, R-14, is endorsing Dr. Eck.
Sen. Wright, a nurse and health policy consultant, cited Dr. Eck’s background as a practicing physician and founder of the Zarephath Free Health Clinic, calling her “a perfect fit for the district who has the right experience to deal with the healthcare challenges we are facing.”
”With massive changes to our healthcare system being implemented in Washington on an almost daily basis, many New Jersey residents may find themselves left behind when it comes to access, quality, and affordable healthcare,” said Sen. Wright. “The fact is no one knows more about the real issues facing physicians and patients today than Alieta Eck.”
”I can make the tough decisions when it comes to preventing government from getting between you and getting well,” said Dr. Eck. “I’m proud to have Barbara Wright’s support. She has been a champion of quality health care for the citizen’s of New Jersey for years. I will work hard to live up to her expectations.”
All candidates for the office must file petitions with the state by March 31 in order to appear on the June primary ballot.
The 12th Congressional District includes the towns of East Windsor, Ewing, Hightstown, Hopewell, Lawrence, Pennington, Princeton, Trenton and West Windsor in Mercer County.
The Middlesex County towns of Cranbury, Dunellen, East Brunswick, Helmetta, Jamesburg, Middlesex, Milltown, Monroe, North Brunswick, Old Bridge, Plainsboro, South Brunswick, South River and Spotswood.
Bound Brook, Franklin, Manville and South Bound Brook in Somerset County, and Fanwood, Plainfield and Scotch Plains in Union County.

