Mercer County Democrats have picked Cathleen Lewis, a Lawrence councilwoman and former mayor, to run on the organization line for county commissioner.
Lewis won a 3rd ballot victory against Elvin Montero, 224 to 153 (59.4% to 40.6%).
County Commissioner Nina Melker is seeking re-election and won a first ballot victory at the convention.
Lewis finished behind Melker on the 1st ballot with 156 votes, and led the 2nd ballot voting with 186 votes. Montero went from 100 on the 1st ballot to 110 on the second ballot.
On the 3rd ballot, Lewis gained 38 votes while Montero picked up 43.
Montero, the the deputy executive director of the Chemical Council of New Jersey and a director of the Capital City Redevelopment Corporation, had the backing of Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. He had sought to become the first Hispanic and first openly gay member countywide elected official in Mercer.
