Politics

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. The Committee is not fielding a candidate for Ward 5. “These four candidates represent the best of Franklin Township — experienced professionals, …

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. The 17th Legislative District is comprised of Franklin, New Brunswick, …

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. Those running are incumbents Sami Shaban, the current Board Vice-President; Laurie Merris, Dr. Dennis Hopkins, and newcomer Nick DiMeglio. We sent questionnaires to every candidate to determine their stands …

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.” Newcomer Nicolas DiMeglio, longtime head of the Franklin PTSO and Project Graduation, and the president of the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce, …

Early voting for the 2024 Republican and Democratic Primary Elections will be available to eligible voters at the Franklin Community Center, 515 DeMott Lane from May 29 through June 2. The polling location will open at 10 a.m. every day, closing at 8 p.m. through Saturday and at 6 p.m. on Sunday. The Community Center is one of six early …

MISSING A NAME – This “get out the vote” postcard, sent by FTRMC secretary Pat Stanley, omits the name of Steve Gillooly, one of two candidates up for the committee seats. A candidate for a municipal Republican committee seat in the 24th District is calling foul over a campaign postcard sent by the Franklin Township Republican Municipal Committee’s secretary in …

TAKING THE OATH – Mayor Phil Kramer takes the Oath of Office while his wife, Laurie, looks on. Councilmember Ed Potosnak was voted in as Deputy Mayor at the January 2 Township Council reorganization meeting. Also at the meeting, re-elected At-Large Councilmembers Kimberly Francois and Ram Anbarasan and newcomer Alex Kharazi and Mayor Phil Kramer were sworn in. The Council …

Once again, Franklin Township is represented on a statewide political power list. This time it’s Insider NJ’s Insider 100 Power List 2023. Representing the township on the list are Franklin Township Police Det. Pat Colligan and Township Councilmember Ed Potosnak. Colligan, who is also the head of the state PBA, is a veteran of statewide power lists. Insider NJ ranked …

CHECKING THE NUMBERS – Board of Education candidates Bill Grippo and Erica Inocencio check the tally board at Par2Play on November 7. The Democratic Mayoral and Township Council slate, and a slate of Board of Education candidates which includes an incumbent, appear to be on the road to victory in the November 7 General Election. The candidates enjoyed leads in …