Salem Dems cancels convention, with slogan going to Biden, Harrison

Salem County Democrats have cancelled their convention, county chairman Steve Caltabiano told the New Jersey Globe.

Caltabiano said the decision was made yesterday afternoon in response coronavirus concerns.

Salem has no organization line or bracketing and candidates are placed on the ballot in an open primary based on a drawing conducted by the county clerk.

“It’s the luck of the draw,” Caltabiano said of the drawing.  “The names are literally picked out of a hat.”

The organization does allow certain candidates to use their official party slogan.

Caltabiano said that the slogan will go to Joe Biden for President, Cory Booker for U.S. Senate, Brigid Callahan Harrison for Congress in the 2nd district, Nicki Burke for Surrogate and Chuck Hassler for freeholder.  Burke and Hassler are incumbents.

“Biden’s like Salem’s senator as well,” Caltabiano said, noting that Salem borders Delaware, which bid represented in the United States Senate for 36 years.