Borough Council continues to evolve for the Nov. 3 general election as a candidate running on the Democratic line has formally withdrawn her candidacy.
Pamela Caputo, who was running for a seat on the Borough Council as part of the Democratic ticket, announced her withdrawal from the race June 16.
“After prolonged consideration and discussion, I have decided not to run for Eatontown council and have formally withdrawn my candidacy with the clerk of elections,” she said.
Caputo, founder and managing director of Community Green Market Organizers, was running on the Democratic slate with Lisa Wilson, who is also seeking her first term on council.
Judy Bretzger, president of the Eatontown Democratic Club, said last week that no official announcement had been made about who will replace Caputo on the Democratic line for the November general election.
“Nothing has been announced yet, but we meet and select a candidate to replace Pamela and then send that to the county [party] chairman,” Bretzger said.
While the municipal party has until Sept. 10 to file paperwork for the new candidate, that paperwork was already filed as of June 17, according to officials at the county Board of Elections office.
“I would expect an announcement on the new candidate will be made very soon,” an official at the Board of Elections said.
While Caputo said she struggled with the decision to opt out of the November election, the opportunity to chair the state government committee for the League of Women Voters of New Jersey was one she couldn’t pass up.
“[I] feel that this is a much better place to continue my strong commitment to public service,” she said.
Caputo said her new role would allow her to have more of an impact on issues such as voters’ rights, which she said potentially affect many municipalities throughout the state.
“While I have been willing and committed to running … I will be helping a wider geographic range [of people] and working on issues that I have been passionate about my entire life.”
Despite her withdrawal, Caputo said she would continue to be active in the Eatontown community and looks forward to supporting Wilson and a new council candidate during the November election.
“I’m glad to see all the new names being put forth as candidates for the election,” she said. “I really hope to see more younger people who have the ability and the desire to step up and become advocates for the betterment of their community.”
Caputo said she feels she has made the right decision.
“I just feel that the universe has opened up … and is telling me that I am in the right place right now,” she said.
With two council seats up for election in November, the race to fill those seats will be among six candidates.
Along with Wilson and a new running mate — who will be on the Democratic line — newcomers Edmund Fitterer Jr. and Douglas Ronan have been nominated by the Eatontown Republican Party to run on the party line for the open seats.
Incumbent Councilman Anthony Talerico Jr. will also be seeking election to a third term on the Borough Council as an independent candidate alongside running mate Virginia East.