Moorestown Mayor Nicole Gillespie is backing a decision by Burlington County Democrats to support a caretaker to fill Assemblyman Herb Conaway, Jr. (D-Delran) ‘s unexpired term in January and instead focus on seeking a two-year term in the June primary election.
Conaway, a 14-term assemblyman, will resign in January to take his seat in Congress. Burlington County Democratic Chairman Matthew Riggins unveiled a plan on Friday to support retiring County Commissioner Dan O’Connell as an interim assemblyman so that primary election voters can pick the candidate in the heavily Democratic 7th legislative district.
“Chairman Riggins’ call for an open and transparent convention is an opportunity for our party to proceed without the heavy hand placed on the scale that’s become so familiar in New Jersey politics,” stated Gillespie. “I call on all candidates, including those who are still considering entering the race, to support the chair’s decision. The success of our party and the ability of an individual to faithfully represent us in the Assembly can only be helped by taking this route rather than forcing a rushed decision.”
But one of the contenders, Burlington County Commissioner Balvir Singh, has eschewed the proposal and will take on O’Connell in a January special election convention and then run again in the June primary.
Gillespie said she would be ready to “earn the votes” of Democratic county committee members in the 7th district at their convention. With no county lines in Burlington next year, the convention will only award an organization slogan, depending on how or if the legislature addresses ballot designs.
“My reasons for supporting the Chairman’s decision are straightforward: we are in the midst of a historic change in New Jersey’s political processes and systems, and facing even more uncertainty over the next four years at the national level,” Gillespie said. “This appointment will be our first test of this ‘new world order,’ and it is critically important, now more than ever, that party leaders, elected officials, and even candidates prioritize protecting and strengthening the rights of the people we serve.”
She praised O’Connell’s “exemplary public service and distinguished track record advocating for Burlington County residents.”
“He will be a responsible and thoughtful steward, and I trust him to faithfully represent the interests of our district in Trenton for the duration of Dr. Conaway’s term,” Gillespie stated.
Still, if Singh — or anyone other than a caretaker candidate — remains in the January race, then Gillespie will be in it as well.
An Annapolis graduate and U.S. Navy veteran, Gillespie praised the succession plan outlined by Riggins and endorsed by State Sen. Troy Singleton (D-Delran) and Assembly Majority Whip Carol Murphy (D-Mount Laurel).
Her decision sets up – at least for now – a two-way race between O’Connell and Singh for an unexpired term that will likely take place in January, and a three-way primary between Murphy, Gillespie and Singh for two Assembly seats.
“If we are to preserve our democracy, we cannot forget that the power of government comes from the consent of the governed, and the power of political parties to get their candidates elected comes from the collective will and support of our members,” Gillespie said.