The Hillsborough Democratic party organization has endorsed Jason Storipan and Art Skaar as its candidates for two seats on the Township Committee.
Mr. Storipan is a first-time candidate. Mr. Skaar has run before, in 1996 and last year, when he was a late-season ballot fill-in. He got about 37 percent of the vote in a race against two-term incumbent Frank DelCore.
The Democratic organization’s selection seems to set up a primary election contest. Last week, former school board member Thuy Anh Le and John W. Beggiato, two key people in last fall’s campaign against a proposed change in use of the township open space tax, said they will be running as Democrats.
The filing deadline is March 31 to be on the June 3 primary election ballot for a chance to gain spots on the Nov. 4 general election.
The incumbents are Republicans Douglas Tomson and Gloria McCauley, who said this week they are running again.
Mr. Storipan and Mr. Skaar were recommended by a screening committee composed of three former Township Committee members: Sonya Martin, Paul Drake and Christine Jensen.
”(Mr.) Storipan and (Mr.) Skaar were recommended and endorsed because of their professional skills and preparation, their experience in municipal governance and law enforcement, their knowledge and application of state and national labor laws and their conflict resolution experience,” said Ms. Martin. “Both candidates have the ability and the skills to fulfill the responsibilities of a member of the Township Committee on day one. Both are experienced campaigners and look forward to reaching out to Hillsborough residents for their input.”
Mr. Storipan is an attorney with Fisher & Phillips LLP, a national labor and employment law firm. A Hillsborough resident for six years, he has been a registered Democrat for almost two decades.
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Storipan worked on a number of political campaigns for Democratic candidates, ranging from state representative to U.S. Senate. Since moving to Hillsborough, he has become active as a coach in recreation soccer and lacrosse.
He is a member of the Somerset County Bar Association and serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Somerset County Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the Somerset Bar Association. He also served as this year’s co-chair of the committee for the mock trial competition for county high school students.
”My wife and I are parents of two boys and understand the concerns and aspirations of Hillsborough residents with children who are working hard to meet the needs of their families in a challenging economy,” Mr. Storipan said. “Just like other Hillsborough residents with growing families, we want quality schools, a healthful, safe environment and life-affirming experiences that are affordable.”
Mr. Skaar has practiced law in Hillsborough since 1988 and has served as special prosecutor and counsel for the township from 2000 to 2004 and general counsel for the Municipal Utilities Authority from 2002 to 2008. He is currently associate prosecutor in Franklin Township and was previously Manville Borough’s Public Defender. A local businessman and property owner, Mr. Skaar has donated land for open space preservation to Hillsborough Township. An avid bicyclist, he is also a member of the cycle clubs.
Skaar and his wife, Cindy, are longtime residents, residing in one of Hillsborough’s age-restricted communities.
As an “empty nester,” he said he said he was sensitive to the needs of residents who are retirees, living on fixed incomes and have health needs that require affordable and accessible medical services.
”My running mate, Jason, and I understand the needs and concerns of the local business community and are committed to revitalization of our downtown, attracting consumers to patronize local retailers and assisting new business owners,” Mr. Skaar said. “We want to focus on public safety and insuring that local police have the support they need.”
For information about the candidates and the primary election, contact Art Skaar, Chairman, Hillsborough Democratic Organization at 908-281-9887, e-mail him at [email protected], check out www.voteborodems.org.
