Spearman to replace Barclay in Assembly

South Jersey Democratic leaders have picked former Camden City Councilman William Spearman to replace Arthur Barclay in the 5th district State Assembly seat, according sources familiar with the selection but not authorized to speak publicly.

Barclay resigned this week after the New Jersey Globe reported that he had been arrested on June 7 on domestic violence charges.  He is scheduled to appear in court next Thursday.

Spearman, 60, is currently the compliance and ethics officer for the South Jersey Transportation Authority.  He is spent six years as a councilman and served as director of economic and industrial development for the City of Camden.

He was elected councilman in 1996, winning a special election for the seat of Ali Sloan El, who resigned after his conviction on bribery charges.  He defeated Brian Coleman, who now serves on the council.

Democratic county committee members from Camden and Gloucester are expected to meet next week to fill the vacant seat.  Spearman will need to run for the remaining fourteen months of Barclay’s term in November.  The district is among the most Democratic in the state.

Assembly Democrats need Spearman in place quickly in case his vote is needed in the ongoing budget fight.