A top Burlington County Democrat wants to bring down rising temperatures in the 3rd district congressional race, where two legislators, Herbert Conaway (D-Delran) and Carol Murphy (D-Mount Laurel), are facing off for Andy Kim’s House seat.
Playing the role of a neutral peacemaker, a letter from Senate Majority Whip Troy Singleton (D-Delran) to party leaders apparently checks an endorsement of Conaway three days ago by Joe Andl, the Democratic county chairman.
Andl’s drew the ire of Murphy, who accused the county party leader of attempting to subvert the will of the county committee members.
Conaway and Murphy are Singleton’s running mates.
“Each has earned the opportunity to stand before you and make their case as to who should be our party’s standard bearer,” said Singleton. “The process to determine our party’s nominee must be transparent and inclusive of the voices of our county committee.”
For now, Singleton, concerned about “heightened rhetoric,” wants the selection process to run its course.
“For those wishing to publicly support either Herb or Carol in their quest to seek the party’s nomination, you should do so without any fear of consequence or retribution,” he said. “Primary campaigns can oftentimes test that unity, but our obligation to each other is to be mindful that no one individual stands ahead of our shared success.”
Kim is giving up his House seat after three terms to run for Bob Menendez’s House seat. Singleton had been considered a potential candidate before announcing that he didn’t want to run for Congress.