Politics

Groups on opposite ends of the political spectrum will share the same space on October 18, and both are promising the coexistence will be peaceful. Franklin Township Indivisible, Somerset County Indivisible, and other groups are planning to participate in the nationwide No Kings series of rallies by holding one from noon to 2 p.m. at the Franklin Township Cultural Arts …

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES – School board candidates who attended the October 8 candidate forum. Clockwise from upper left: Jennifer Welch, Clara Wilson, Martin Czebotar, and Meher Rafiq. Charter schools, the school district’s goals, and the expanding District budget were some of the topics covered October 8 in a Board of Education candidate forum, held at Franklin Middle School – Sampson …

Six candidates – three of whom are running on a named slate – have filed for the three open Board of Education seats. The decision by incumbent Board members Ardaman Singh, Nancy LaCorte and Walter Jackson not to seek re-election paved the way for three new members to join the 9-member Board.

About 100 people gathered at the Township’s Cultural Arts Gazebo on July 17 to take part in a nationwide national day of action in memory of the late Congressman John Lewis. Called “Good Trouble Lives On,” the rally was reportedly one of 1,500 held around the country to protest the policies of the Trump Administration.

READY TO COUNT – Ballot tabulations being dropped off to the municipal building on June 10. Local incumbent candidates appear to be leading in their races for their party’s nominations, according to unofficial results from the 2025 primary election on June 10. Township Councilman Carl Wright (D-Ward 4) and state Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17) were the only candidates facing primary …

Four candidates for Township Council ward seats have been endorsed by the Franklin Township Republican Municipal Committee. The candidates are Ward 1: Chris Lezny, Ward 2: Jan Brant, Ward 3: Sophia Georges, and Ward 4: Benjamin Guy III.

RUNNING AGAIN – State Assemblyman Joe Danielsen recently announced that he is running for re-election. (File photo.) State Assemblyman and township resident Joe Danielsen and his running mate recently announced their re-election campaign. Danielsen, a Democrat, represents the 17th Legislative District in the lower House, along with Assemblyman Kevin Egan.

TURNING IN TALLIES – Poll workers line up to turn in their tally sheets at the Township Municipal Building. From there, the sheets were catalogued and sent to the Somerset County Clerk’s office. Two incumbents and a newcomer were voted onto the Board of Education on November 5, and the two incumbents for Somerset County Board of Commissioners won re-election. …

The only local race in the November 5 election is for the Board of Education. Four contenders – including three incumbents – are vying for three available terms on the Board.

Four candidates – including three incumbents – have filed for the November 5 Board of Education election. Incumbents Laurie Merris, Sami Shaban and Dr. Dennis Hopkins, Jr. are running as a slate under the heading, “Vote All 3.”