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.
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.