MAPLEWOOD DEMOCRATS EXTEND DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES

With the surprise announcement this week that Township Committee member Kathy Leventhal will not seek re-election this year, the field for candidates is wide open.

That has prompted the Maplewood Democratic Party to delay its deadline for those who wish to seek the party's endorsement in the upcoming June primary, according to Democratic Party Chair Ian Grodman. He said the deadline has been delayed from Feb. 23 to Feb. 28.
  
"I think that when people believe highly regarded incumbents are running again, they are less likely to step up to express their interest," Grodman said via email. "We have typically, in the past, seen far more people stepping forward when an incumbent has chosen to not run again, and wanted to give people additional time to come forward to explore the possibility. That being said, we still have to have endorsements made in a statutorily required period, and so, we are accepting letters on interest up until one week before the Maplewood Democratic Committee meets to select our candidates."

Interested candidates can email Grodman at Iangrodman@gmail.com.

Leventhal, a 12-year veteran, gives up her three-year seat on the five-member panel. Also up for re-election is Jerry Ryan, who has indicated he will run again.