Nia Gill’s running mate drops out

Citing personal issues, Frank Kasper has dropped his bid for the Democratic nomination for State Assembly in the 27th district.

Kasper’s exit leaves State Sen. Nia Gill (D-Montclair) with one less running mate as she mounts an off-the-line campaign for re-election.  Redistricting placed two longtime senators, Gill and former Gov. Richard Codey (D-Roseland), in the same legislative district.

It’s too late for Gill to replace Kasper on the ballot, leaving former Montclair school board member Eve Robinson as her sole legislative running mate.

The Essex County Democratic organization is backing Codey for Senate.  Running on the line for Assembly are ten-term incumbent John McKeon (D-West Orange) and Democratic State Committeewoman Alixon Collazos-Gill for Assembly.

Another candidate, former Assemblyman Craig Stanley (D-West Orange), is also on the ballot.  Since the ballot draw has already been held, it’s too late for Gill to recruit Stanley, a former six-term legislator from the next-door 28th district, to join her slate.

Kasper, a 38-year-old teacher, was making his fifth bid for public office.  He had run three times for school board and once for city councilman in Clifton since 2016.

Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin (D-Montclair) announced last month that he would retire at the end of the current legislative session.

Kasper did not immediately return as 1:02 PM call to his cell phone seeking comment.