After being dropped by Democrats, Cherry Hill mayor won’t seek re-election

Ten days after the Cherry Hill Democratic organization moved to deny her party support, Mayor Susan Shin Angulo announced that she would not see re-election to a second term.

“The past 3+ years have been incredibly challenging, leading our community through an unprecedented pandemic.  The pace has been grueling and unrelenting, and I believe it is time to catch my breath after my term ends,” she said.  “ I want to assure you that this is not the end of my journey.  I will complete my term as Mayor, and I will continue to serve with passion and enthusiasm.”

Instead of backing Angulo, local Democrats instead endorsed Council President Dave Fleisher for mayor.   He won immediate endorsements from all of his township council colleagues, Camden County Commissioner Melinda Kane (D-Cherry Hill), and four former mayors.

Angulo quickly released a statement saying she was weighing her options and not immediately ruling out an off-the-line primary campaign against Fleisher.

After two-term mayor Chuck Cahn announced his retirement in 2019, Democrats lined up behind Angulo, then a Camden County freeholder.

In her statement, Angulo touted her accomplishments over the last four years.

“I am proud that we have held the line on expenses and avoided any tax increases, as reflected in Moody’s Rating agency assigning its highest AAA rating to the Township,” Angulo said.  “I am also excited about the potential revenue opportunities, including from cannabis businesses, that can fund key initiatives, including safety, health, sustainability, and education.”

The mayor also sought party unity, placing a special focus on the three incumbent legislators who represent Cherry Hill: State Sen. Jim Beach (D-Voorhees), Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald (D-Voorhees), and Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Cherry Hill).

“Without their strong, unified leadership, South Jersey will struggle to receive its equitable share from the State,” she said.  “That would be a terrible outcome for Cherry Hill and the region.”

Cherry Hill is strongly Democratic – Angulo won in 2019 against Republican Nancy Feller O’Dowd by a 64%-36% margin – so the winner of the Democratic primary is near-certain to prevail in November.