It’s a situation rarely seen in staunchly Republican Morris County: An all-Democrat election.
Yet that’s the story in Morristown, where no Republicans have stepped forward to challenge the mayor and council.
Mayor Tim Dougherty suggests the absence of Republican candidates in the June 4 primary is a nod to the performance of his incumbent Dems. But it’s really about numbers–political and economic–according to town GOP Chairman Frank Vitolo.
Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than two-to-one in Morristown, 3,897 to 1,708, as of March 28, 2013. (Another 4,178 voters are unaffiliated.)
That makes it “an uphill battle” for Republicans in the mayoral and at-large council races, said Frank, who is an attorney. The party is looking ahead to the council ward elections in two years, when “we hope to have a full slate of…winning candidates.”
Mayor Dougherty is unopposed in the Democratic primary. His slate of council incumbents–Council President Michelle Dupree Harris, Kevin Gsell and Toshiba Foster–faces a primary challenge from former town official Tommy Alexander, planning board member Michael Pooler and past candidate Jessica Williamson.
No Republicans filed for the primary.
Frank praised Alison Deeb, the lone Republican on the council, for “working tirelessly” to hold local government accountable, and cited other GOP faithful in town for activism and charitable deeds.
The economy posed roadblocks for some potential candidates in 2013, he added.
“Although we had good people interested in running this year, they decided for personal reasons to sit this one out. For example, with the economy in a slow recovery and many still concerned about their jobs, running for office is a sacrifice that many simply cannot make right now,” he said.
Here is Frank’s full statement to MorristownGreen.com.
FROM MORRISTOWN GOP CHAIRMAN FRANK VITOLO:
As you know, because of the Democrats’ advantage in registered voters, Republicans in Morristown face an uphill battle in the Mayoral and at-large races. Nonetheless, we are always looking to recruit Republicans who are interested in seeking elected office.
Although we had good people interested in running this year, they decided for personal reasons to sit this one out. For example, with the economy in a slow recovery and many still concerned about their jobs, running for office is a sacrifice that many simply cannot make right now.
Nonetheless, I am proud of the work that Republicans in Morristown have done over the past four years. Councilwoman [Alison] Deeb is a critical voice in Town and works tirelessly to hold our elected officials and the administration accountable.
Republicans on the various Boards in Town ensure that our citizens are treated fairly and that there is balance in application of the Town’s ordinances and codes. Concerned Morristown Republicans have formed citizen groups to address controversial issues. The Morristown Republican Committee has filled nearly all of its seats, raised money and engaged in party building and charity work throughout the Town.
Morristown Republicans will work this year to re-elect Governor Christie, return all Republicans to the Freeholder Board and assist Republicans in neighboring Town who need are help. In short, although relatively small in number, Republicans in Morristown are doing big things and, with continued persistence, we hope to have a full slate of winning Ward candidates in two years.
