The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
About 90 Democratic Party loyalists gathered May 18 at The Palace at Somerset for what was described as a “low-key” fundraiser for Township Council candidates.
The evening featured speeches and food, and one-on-ones with the five Democratic council candidates.
This year, the five ward seats are up for election. Running on the Democratic ticket are incumbents Ted Chase, Ward 1; Charles Onyejiaka, Ward 3; Deputy Mayor Carl Wright, Ward 4; James Vassanella, Ward 5 and newcomer William Galtieri, who is running for the Ward 2 seat being vacated by Roz Sherman.
Wright has a primary challenge from activist Johnny Tibbs.
Democratic Party chairman Ron Jordan said he’s not worried about the primary challenge.
“I think that if we get our message out and we get our people out with our message knocking on doors, I think the biggest thing for Carl is to be accessible to people, and I don’t think he’ll have a problem with that,” he said.
Overall, Jordan said, he feels “really good” about the local slate.
“I think they’ve done a good job to this point, I feel like the people of Franklin know that,” he said. “I think they’re the right people to continue to do the job, I think we’ve done well by the township.”
“I’m excited about putting four of them back on and I’m excited about putting up a newcomer like Will, who’s a son of Franklin, a loyal Democrat and most of all a smart guy, and I think that’s what people want their politicians to be, smarter than them and committed and that’s what he is,” he said.
2017 Democtrats May Fundraiser
