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Article Archive > Who's running for office? Picture is getting clearer Who's running for office? Picture is getting clearer The lure of possibly having Monmouth County Freeholder Anna Little switching to the Democratic Party isn't the only thing that has prompted party leaders to stretch out the deadline to hear from potential candidates for this year's county and state elections. Party spokesman Mike Mangan said an announcement of who's in the running will be made in the next several days. The original deadline for candidates to express interest to the party passed two weeks ago. Little, elected to the freeholder board in November as a Republican, has broken with GOP leaders. She said she is considering either a run against the Republican party line in the June primary, a switch to the Democrats, or mounting a campaign as an independent. Mangan said the uncertainty over Little and another dynamic - more interest in the position of county sheriff since the announcement by Republican incumbent Joseph Oxley that he is not seeking another term - has "led to interest in running by a number of candidates, and everybody has needed the extra time." The party is interested in adding Little to its list of potential candidates, Mangan said. "We'd welcome her to run as a Democrat and be part of the Democratic Party," he said. A number of candidates for county sheriff have announced their candidacies, including Jack Hill, Glenn Mason and Kevin Quinn. Mangan said a fourth candidate will be announced. The Republicans have two announced sheriff candidates, including Howell police Sgt. David Flaherty, who said Wednesday he is "definitely" in the race. Flaherty started by forming an exploratory committee last week. The other GOP candidate is Frederick J. Rast III. Victor "Buddy" Amato, chief of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, sent GOP Chairman Adam Puharic a letter of intent last week but said Wednesday he is not running. Amato said he did not want to give up work against cruelty to animals nor did he want to cut back his work at a self-defense business he owns. The Democrats' other candidates include William Scherer for freeholder; former state Assemblyman John Villapiano for state Senate and Neptune school board member Jason A. Jones for Assembly in the 11th District; incumbents Ellen Karcher for Senate and Michael J. Panter Jr. for Assembly in the 12th District; and Pat Walsh for Assembly in the 13th District. Unlike the Republicans at their March 24 convention, the Democrats on March 31 will not have a list of preferred candidates for delegates to vote on, Mangan said. "Our chairman, Vic Scudiery, and staff members meet with all the candidates, which provides information for the candidates as well as us," Mangan said. "At the convention, everybody knows which candidates have gone through the process, and the candidates are able to give speeches at the convention. They can campaign for support." |