Town Council incumbents seek re-election, win Democratic Party’s endorsement
HAMILTON >> The race is on.
Democratic Hamilton Councilmen Anthony Carabelli Jr., Richard “Rick” Tighe and Charles “Chuddy” Whalen are running for reelection this year.
Hamilton’s Democratic Municipal Committee on Saturday endorsed these incumbents by acclamation as they seek four more years in office as municipal legislators.
“Since being elected these individuals have made great strides in improving the quality of life for Hamiltonians,” Hamilton Democratic chair Barbara Plumeri said of Carabelli, Tighe and Whalen in a statement released Monday. “From addressing the issues at the Animal Shelter, consolidation of the Fire Department, and finding creative ways to support local businesses during this pandemic.”
Carabelli first won election to town council in November 2017 as the top-votegetter in a Democratic sweep. “I have had the honor of serving on Council and meeting with so many dedicated and hard-working citizens of our town,” he said in a statement. “I love this community and look forward to assisting residents and businesses alike this year and hopefully for another four years.”
Tighe first won election to town council in November 2017 alongside Carabelli and former councilman-turnedmayor Jeff Martin.
“I appreciate the support of the Hamilton Democratic Committee,” Tighe said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working with Mayor Martin and the team to build on the accomplishments of our first term.”
Martin, a Democrat, easily defeated incumbent Republican Mayor Kelly Yaede in the 2019 general election with about 56 percent of the vote. He resigned from Hamilton Council to assume office as Hamilton’s top political leader on Jan. 1, 2020.
Hamilton Council unanimously appointed Whalen to Martin’s former seat on Jan. 21, 2020. Whalen later won election to town council last November with about 55 percent of the vote, easily defeating Republican challenger David Maher, who received 39 percent of the vote, and third-party candidate Edward C. Stackhouse Jr., who received about 6 percent of the nearly 46,000 votes cast.
“I look forward to continuing our efforts for responsible economic development,” Whalen said in a statement, “and look forward to creating local job opportunities for every Hamiltonian.”
By winning the Democratic Party’s endorsement through acclamation, Carabelli, Tighe and Whalen are now expected to secure their nominations in the June 8 primary election.
“Anthony, Rick and Chuddy are well deserving of the honor of representing the Democratic Party and all Hamiltonians,” Martin said in a statement. “Most recently they have shown their leadership throughout the pandemic by providing aid to Hamilton small businesses, PPE to seniors and nursing homes, and necessary resources to our Health Department to get shots in arms.”
The Democratic trio is running on their political and professional experience.
Carabelli, a married father of two, serves as director of Mercer County’s Office of Economic Development; Tighe is an investment professional; and Whalen, a married family man with three grown children and six grandchildren, is the assistant business manager of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 9.
Hamilton Council is a five-member legislative body that passes resolutions, ordinances and municipal budgets impacting Hamiltonians and their quality of life. The council is currently occupied exclusively by Democrats, but the GOP is looking to shake things up come November.
Retired policeman Bob Diszler, behavioral health executive James Boozan and sports performance trainer Joe DeMarco received the Hamilton Township Republican Committee’s endorsement earlier this month for town council.
Eight Republican council candidates sought the Hamilton GOP’s endorsement, suggesting the Democratic incumbents will face an energized opposition this fall.