Cumberland County Democrats will not vote to award the organization line for the U.S. Senate and Congress at their convention tonight but will hold a separate vote on March 21, County Chairman Kevin McCann told the New Jersey Globe.
McCann wants candidates to address county committee members first.
“We’ll have the opportunity to hear from to hear from the candidates,” McCann said. “The other people we know.”
He said he has a commitment from the three Democrats seeking the nomination to challenge Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) in the 2nd district to attend the second convention on March 21, and said he will invite the U.S. Senate candidates, including Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) and Tammy Murphy, to join that session, either in-person or virtually. Joseph Salerno, Tim Alexander and Carolyn Rush want organization support to run against Van Drew.
Tonight, Democrats will select two candidates for county commissioner to challenge Republican incumbents Joseph Sileo and Antonio Romero. Six candidates are running, including former five-term Sheriff Robert Austino, who lost re-election last year, and Joeigh Peralta, who lost county commissioner races in 2021 and 2023.
Republicans now have a 7-0 majority on the Board of County Commissioners after taking control after the 2022 election. In addition to sheriff, the flipped the surrogate’s office last year as well.
The last remaining Democrat in county government, Celeste Riley, is seeking re-election to a third term as county clerk. She faces County Commissioner Victoria Lods.