Democratic Senate candidate in South Jersey drops out

Citing health issues, Heather Cooper is dropping her bid for an open State Senate seat in the potentially competitive 8th district, leaving Democrats to fill pick a replacement candidate before the August 31 deadline.

Cooper, an Evesham councilwoman,  said she suffered a “medical event” while campaigning that led to her being treated at the hospital and follow-up consultations with doctors.

She was facing Republican Latham Tiver, a labor leader and former Burlington County Freeholder, for the seat of retiring GOP State Sen. Jean Stanfield (R-Westampton).

“After meeting with my doctors and discussion with my family, we believe it is in my best interest to take a step back to focus on my health,” Cooper said.

Party leaders are expected to set a fast filing deadline, possibly as early as Monday, so that Democratic county committee members in the Burlington and Atlantic county municipalities in the 8th district can consider candidates before a vote that can come no later than next Thursday.

One possible candidate could be Janet DiFolco, a Mount Holly school board member who has been mentioned recently as a potential candidate for higher office in the future.   The wife of former Mayor Rich DiFolco, she has served on the school board since 2014.

Earlier this year, Democrats had tried to entice former Philadelphia Eagles star Ron Jaworski to run.

Chesterfield Democratic Municipal Chair Andrea Katz and Hammonton Education Association President Anthony Angelozzi, are seeking Assembly seats.

“I remain committed to supporting both Andrea and Anthony in this race as well as Democrats up and down the ballot in Burlington County and beyond,” Cooper said.  “I want to thank my friend and Burlington County Chairman Joe Andl for his unwavering support as I have worked through this difficult decision.  I remain confident that the ideals that the LD8 Team have lived by and campaigned on will prevail this November.”

Burlington County GOP Chairman Sean Earlen said he can’t imagine many Democrats will be interested in taking on Tiver.

“We, of course, hope Ms. Cooper is well. But we also can’t blame any sensible Democrat from bailing on a race where they will be forced to defend keeping sex ed secrets from parents, raising taxes, and mandating working families and seniors sell off their gas stoves and cars to comply with the far left insanity in Trenton,” Earlen said.