By Andrew Martins, Managing Editor
Weeks before a county deadline for partisan candidates to file for the 2017 primaries, two Democrats in Hillsborough have officially thrown their names in the ring for a pair of spots on the township council., On Sunday, the Hillsborough Democratic Organization (HDO) formally announced their endorsement of Jane Staats and Harrison “Harry” Burke in their respective bids for a pair of three-year terms on the governing body., “The HDO is proud to stand behind Jane Staats and Harry Burke,” HDO Chairman John Beggiato said. “We believe that Jane and Harry have already demonstrated a strong commitment to the community and will bring fresh, new ideas to Hillsborough.”, The two township committee hopefuls were named the party’s choice during the HDO’s nomination meeting on Wednesday, March 8., If they make it through the primary process, Staats and Burke will vie for the two seats currently occupied by incumbent Republicans Douglas Tomson and Gloria McCauley, whose terms will come to a close at the end of the year., Though neither incumbent has formally announced their intention to run for re-election, Hillsborough Township Republican Committee Chair Helen Haines said the group will vote on the matter this Saturday., Looking forward to their candidacy, Beggiato said he was confident in their ability to represent the residents of Hillsborough., “Jane and Harry are long-term residents that care deeply about Hillsborough,” he said. “They want to ensure every resident has a voice and that the township government focuses on everyone’s concerns.”, According to the HDO, Staats is a 30-year resident of Hillsborough who raised her son Wayne with her husband Gregory Staats in the township. She received her bachelor’s degree from La Salle University in Philadelphia and her master’s degree at Rutgers University., Having taught math for more than three decades as a public school teacher, the recent retiree spent more than half of her career at Hillsborough High School, where she also created and facilitated a smoking cessation group for the students., Burke, the HDO said, was born and raised within the township. He received his bachelor’s degree in government and politics from St. John’s University; he is currently enrolled at Rutgers University, where he is pursuing his master’s degree in Political Science: United Nations and Global Policy studies., He was actively involved in varsity sports in school and played lacrosse at St. John’s, a Division 1 team. He worked at various programs for children and adults with disabilities, including ARC of Somerset County, Camp HEART of Hillsborough Recreation Department and Meals on Wheels. In high school, Burke traveled to Uganda, where he assisted building a home for a family of seven, coached lacrosse to youths there and participated in other various projects throughout that country., Party officials said both candidates were interested in increasing public participation in their local government., “Our residents have great ideas, and I am ready to actively pursue a more cohesive community dynamic and a vibrant economy in Hillsborough,” Burke said. “Participation in politics and government, especially at the local level, is the oldest tradition in American history and should never be taken for granted.”, “By promoting transparency and open communication, residents’ concerns could finally be addressed,” Staats said., Along with Staats and Burke, the Hillsborough Democrats also have Laurie C. Poppe running for a seat as member of the state Senate. She formally joined the race after Zenon Christodoulou, the Democratic challenger to incumbent Republican state Sen. Kip Bateman, quit the race., She joins the ticket of incumbent Assemblyman Andrew P. Zwicker and Assembly candidate Roy Freiman in the 16th District, made up of parts of Mercer, Somerset, Middlesex and Hunterdon counties., In an effort to promote their candidates, Beggiato said the HDO will be hosting a “Coffee and Candidates” fundraising gathering at his home on March 19., Billed as an “informal gathering to get to know each other and share thoughts” with how the township should be run, the event will let participants chat with Burke and Staats from 2-4 p.m. at 62 Peterson Road, with the $20 entry fee going directly to the campaign effort., Beggiato said that sort of interaction is just one way that the HDO is looking to energize its local base leading up to the 2017 election and beyond., “Our growing base of supporters want a more inclusive and participatory government,” he said. “They are energized and are rolling up their sleeves in support of Jane and Harry.”
