The Lawrence Township Democratic and Republican parties have unveiled their slate of candidates for three Township Council seats.
The seats are currently held by Township Council members Cathleen Lewis, David Maffei and Michael Powers.
The six candidates – incumbent Township Council members Lewis and Powers, and newcomer John Ryan, and Republican Party challengers Eric Jaszewski, Robert Pluta and Joseph Vinch – filed their nominating petitions by the April 1 deadline.
Incumbent Township Council member David Maffei is not seeking re-election.
None of the candidates are facing opposition in the June 4 political primary. The winners of the Democratic and Republican party primaries will square off in the Nov. 5 general election for four-year terms on Lawrence Township Council.
Powers is running for his fifth term on Township Council, and served in the ceremonial post of mayor in 2006 and 2010. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1986. He is an attorney with the law firm of Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney.
Powers said he is interested in encouraging the continued redevelopment in Lawrence Township, pointing to the Brunswick Pike Redevelopment Area near the Brunswick Circle. He also wants to encourage community building through such entities as Lawrenceville Main Street and the Greater Eldridge Park Neighborhood Association.
Lewis is seeking her third term on Lawrence Township Council. She served as mayor in 2014 and 2015. She has lived in Lawrence since 2004. She is the director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for AAA Northeast.
Ryan is a 34-year resident of Lawrence Township, and recently retired from United Parcel Service (UPS). He serves on the Lawrence Township Planning Board.
“(Serving on Township Council) just intrigued me. I started going to the Township Council and the Planning Board and the Zoning Board Of adjustment meetings. The community has given me a lot, and I want to give back to the community,” Ryan said.
Jaszewski, who is making his first run for elected office, grew up in Hamilton Township and moved to Lawrence Township six years ago. He established Lawrence Family Chiropractic, which is located on Brunswick Pike, seven years ago.
Jaszewski said he is running for Township Council to bring new ideas to the governing body. As a business owner, he knows about financial responsibility, he said. Everything that is done in the township should be done in the best and most financially responsible way possible, he added.
Pluta, who owns Leonardo II’s restaurant on Brunswick Pike, is making his second run for elected office. He is a 1992 graduate of Lawrence High School. He said he enjoys politics and government, and wants to be a public servant.
“I want to be a representative of the people. I am interested in local issues. It’s just caring about your town. There should be healthy debate, because that’s what keeps us honest and keeps the dialogue going,” Pluta said.
Vinch, who graduated from Lawrence High School in 2013, owns Honest Stu’s on Princeton Avenue. He said he became interested in politics during the 2008 presidential campaign, when he was in eighth grade.
“I want to be involved in the town to help guide it and grow it into what you want it to be. Hopefully, my running for Lawrence Township Council will pique other young people’s interest to run for office,” Vinch said.