Ex-Flemington mayor endorses Shah for NJ-7

Former Flemington Mayor Austin “Ken” Kutscher, who led his Hunterdon County town from 1994 through 2005, has endorsed Democrat Tina Shah for Congress in the 7th congressional district.

Kutscher, who like Shah is a practicing physician, said that Shah has “a unique perspective seeing tragedies firsthand from patients who put off seeking care because they can no longer afford it.”

“As a former three-term mayor of Flemington and a cardiologist for over forty years in Hunterdon County, I put my trust in Dr. Shah’s abilities and expertise to execute policies that place the care of our patients and community as the primary responsibility,” Kutscher said in a statement.

Shah faces six fellow Democrats for the right to take on Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), and one key upcoming test will be the Hunterdon County Democratic convention, the first 7th district county convention of the year. Two of Shah’s opponents, Rebecca Bennett and Brian Varela, have also received a variety of local endorsements in Hunterdon County.