Lawrence Township Councilman Michael Powers will cap 20 years of service on the Township Council that includes two one-year stints as the mayor when his term ends in 2023.
Powers, a Democrat, announced that he is not going to run for re-election next year. He is making the announcement now in order to alert Lawrence Township residents – and potential candidates – that he will not be seeking re-election to the Lawrence Township Council in 2023. His term expires Dec. 31, 2023.
The five members of the Lawrence Township Council are Democrats. The term is for four years.
Powers is serving his fifth term on the Township Council. He was elected to Councill in 2003 and served as mayor in 2006 and 2010. Also in 2010, he was named “Mayor of the Year” by the New Jersey Regional Coalition for his efforts to promote diversity in the township.
Powers, who is an attorney, began his career in public service in 1997 when he was appointed to the Lawrence Township Planning Board. He also served on the Lawrence Township Growth and Redevelopment Committee, including as chairman, before seeking election to the Township Council.
While Powers will fill out the remainder of his four-year term, Township Councilwoman Cathleen Lewis is expected to announce her resignation before taking office as a Mercer County Commissioner next month. She was elected to a three-year term on the Mercer County Board of County Commissioners in November.
The Lawrence Township Council will appoint a replacement for Lewis, whose term also expires Dec. 31, 2023. The person who is appointed to fill out Lewis’ unexpired term may also choose to seek election to a full, four-year term.
Powers said that with the upcoming departure of Lewis from the Township Council, he had been approached by several Democrats who are interested in serving on the Township Council.
“I want these folks to know early on there will be at least two opportunities to run for Township Council in November 2023,” he said.
The five Lawrence Township Council members serve staggered terms.
The terms of Powers, Lewis and Councilman John Ryan, who is serving as mayor, expire Dec. 31, 2023, and the terms of Township Councilmen Christopher Bobbitt and James Kownacki expire Dec. 31, 2025.