A Hail Mary by Mount Laurel Republicans to shift to non-partisan elections could wind up helping Rep. Andy Kim (D-Marlton) win a second term.
Democrats won two council seats in Mount Laurel in 2018 and the three remaining GOP incumbents are up in what will be a control election in 2020. According to a report on BlueJersey.com, Republican mayor Kurt Folcher is moving forward on a referendum to change local elections to non-partisan May elections.
Folcher might think he has a better chance at re-election in a town that has shifted heavily toward the Democrats in recent years. Mount Laurel gave Kim 62% in his race against incumbent Tom MacArthur (R-Toms River) last year. Gov. Phil Murphy won 59% in 2017 and Hillary Clinton took 60% in 2016.
Jon Runyan (R-Moorestown) held incumbent Rep. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) to a 345-vote, 50%-48% win when he unseated him in 2010.
If Folcher is successful in moving the election, it could mean less Republican votes for Kim’s 2020 oppponent.
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Republicans? Non partisan? Ya just cant make this stuff up!
What do you do when you think you’ll lose as a Republican? Try and change the form of the elections. Sounds like a sorry attempt to hold onto power.