Burlington County Democrats are considering a peace plan to allow two local lawmakers seeking an open congressional seat to share the organization line, a deal that could be extended into the U.S. Senate primary.
Several sources with direct knowledge of the discussions confirmed that Senate Majority Whip Troy Singleton (D-Delran) is trying to hold off a civil war by including his two Assembly running mates, Carol Murphy (D-Mount Laurel) and Herb Conaway (D-Delran), on the county line. Murphy and Conaway are seeking the 3rd district House seat of Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), who is leaving after three terms to run for the U.S. Senate.
The deal would only apply to Murphy and Conaway, who represent the same Burlington County district in the State Assembly, and not two others in the race: civil rights attorney Joe Cohn and Sarah Schoengood, a seafood company owner. Conaway defeated Murphy at the Monmouth County Democratic convention last weekend. In Mercer County, any candidates that receive at least 40% of the vote share the line.
Party leaders are optimistic that there is a pathway to a peace accord before the Burlington County Democratic Convention on February 24. If the deal occurs, it will be in the next 48 hours.
Democrats are also considering putting the two leading candidates in the U.S. Senate primary, Kim and Tammy Murphy, on the line together. Kim is regarded as the odds-on favorite to win the convention.
Conaway has the endorsement of Burlington County Democratic Chairman Joe Andl, but Singleton, who has increasingly served as the peacemaker in local politics, has not taken sides in the 3rd district primary.
The plan could also avoid a contested primary for county commissioner. One of the incumbents, Dan O’Connell, is not seeking re-election; that could set up a convention fight for his open seat.