Hamilton Democrats gear up for 2017 town council election race
HAMILTON >> The local Democratic Party in Hamilton is fired up and ready to go for November’s general election.
While Hamilton Republicans have made headlines in recent days for appointing former school board member Dina Thornton as the township’s newest councilwoman, the Hamilton Democratic Municipal Committee on Monday waddled through seven interested candidates before endorsing Anthony Carabelli Jr., Jeffrey Martin and Richard Tighe to run for Hamilton Council this year as registered Democrats.
The Democratic energy suggests the party will strive hard this year to make inroads with local voters who have preferred Republican leadership at town hall for the last decade.
The five members currently serving on Hamilton Council are all Republicans, and Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede is also a Republican. Democrats over the last 10 years have had no success at winning municipal elections in this 40-square-mile township, but Hamilton Democrats hope to gain traction in this gubernatorial election year.
The seven fired up Hamilton Democrats who sought the party’s political endorsement for a 2017 council run were JoAnne Bruno, Gary Schuck, Janna Sheiman, William Jaeger, Jeff Martin, Rick Tighe and Carabelli Jr., son of the former Mercer Jeff Martin, Rick Tighe and Anthony Carabelli Jr. win the Hamilton Township Democratic Party’s endorsement as 2017Hamilton Council candidates at a political convention Monday, March 20, 2017, at the Stone Terrace banquet hall in Hamilton.
County freeholder. Committee members during a Monday
evening political convention at the Stone Terrace banquet hall decided to endorse Carabelli, Martin and Tighe.
“This is the first time in almost 20 years we’ve had so many qualified individuals put themselves forward to run,” said Barbara Plumeri, chairwoman of the Hamilton Democratic Party. “It is a testament to the growing strength of the Democratic Party in Hamilton.”
Plumeri described Carabelli, Martin and Tighe as “a trio of experienced professionals who have demonstrated their commitment to their community by stepping up to run for office” and said “We look forward to our candidates improving communication with residents, ensuring that everyone has a voice in their government and bringing common sense fiscal management and sound economic development to the township.”
Hamilton Democrats VinnieCapodanno,whoformerly served one term on Hamilton Council, and former party boss Joe Fabrizi have voiced dissent against the local Democratic Party’s leadership, which could suggest the party may need to focus on building party unity following such a hotly contested convention fight.
The GOP Hamilton Council members expected to run for re-election this year are Councilmen Dennis Pone and Dave Kenny, and Thornton presumably will run and seek election to her appointed council seat as a registered Republican.
Hamilton Council last year raised municipal taxes against Mayor Yaede’s recommendation but this year council has signaled it agrees with Yaede’s 2017 budget that once again calls for no increase to the tax rate.
Thornton has a history of supporting tax increases during her former years as a Hamilton school board member. She still has to prove herself in municipal office, but Pone and Kenny have built their political careers over the last 12 years on a platform that has championed fiscal responsibility and good government.