Scutari, other top Union Dems endorse Bennett

Senate President Nick Scutari (D-Clark) and more than 50 other Union County Democrats are lining up behind Rebecca Bennett, the Union County Democratic Committee-endorsed candidate for the 7th congressional district.

Also endorsing Bennett: Assemblymembers James Kennedy (D-Rahway) and Linda Carter (D-Plainfield); County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, County Sheriff Peter Corvelli, and all nine members of the County Board of Commissioners; and dozens of local elected officials in Berkeley Heights, Fanwood, Linden, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit, and Westfield.

Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, is one of four Democrats seeking to unseat Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), and Union County makes up the largest share of the Democratic electorate of any county in the district.

Last month, the 12 municipal chairs who represent parts of the 7th district met to award the county party endorsement, and Bennett beat physician Tina Shah eight votes to four in the second round of voting; businessman Brian Varela had received two votes in the first round. A fourth candidate, former Small Business Administration official Michael Roth, has some local support in Summit.

Full list of new endorsements:

• Senate President and UCDC Chairman Nicholas Scutari
• Assemblymembers James Kennedy and Linda Carter
• Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi
• Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli
• Union County Commissioners James Baker, Joseph Bodek, Michele Delisfort, Lourdes Leon, Al Mirabella, Stanley Neron, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Joseph Signorello III, and Rebecca Williams
• Berkeley Heights Councilmembers Bill Machado, Alvaro Medeiros, Andrew Moran, and Susan Poage
• Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr and Councilmembers Jeffrey Banks, Gina Berry, Anthony Carter, Erin McElroy-Barker, Katherine Mitchell, and Patricia Walsh
• Linden Mayor Derek Armstead and Councilmembers, Michele Yamakaitis, Barry Javick, Monique Caldwell and Ralph Strano
• Rahway Mayor Ray Giacobbe and Councilmembers Joanna Miles, Jeff Brooks, Jeremy Mojica, Al Montesdeoca, Darlene Eastman, Vannie Parson, Dave Brown, Danni Newbury, and Joe Gibilisco
• Scotch Plains Mayor Josh Losardo and Councilmembers Matt Adams, Elizabeth Stamler, Roshan “Roc” White, and Ellen Zimmerman
• Springfield Mayor Harris Laufer and Committeemen Richard Huber, Chris Weber, Alex Keiser, and Chris Capodice
• Summit Councilmembers Dan Crisafulli and Chantal Landman
• Westfield Mayor Jeremy Berman and Councilwoman Jennifer Gilman