The Burlington County Republican Committee has not yet announced the replacement for Assemblywoman Maria Rodriguez-Gregg (R-8), who will not pursue reelection this year.

A source close to the organization said possible contenders to replace Rodriguez-Gregg on the November 2017 ballot include BurlCo freeholders Kate Gibbs and Ryan Peters.

Gibbs works in Business Development for the Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative, which represents Local 825 Operating Engineers.

A retired Navy SEAL who saw multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Peters serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve, assigned to SEAL Team 18, and is an associate with Pepper Hamilton LLP in Philadelphia.

Another name in the mix is Mount Holly Mayor Richard DiFolco, who  has served on the Township Council since November 2011 after winning a special election for an unexpired term. Reelected in 2012 to serve a four year term, DiFolco has served as Deputy Mayor for two years and Mayor for two years.

So is Abe Lopez, deputy mayor of Westampton. López is the youngest and first Hispanic elected in Westampton Township’s history, and has helped two successive budgets passed with no tax increases, increasing transparency and accountability by live streaming every township committee meeting, oversaw redevelopment of the township’s website, introduced new social media platforms to better engage and inform constituents, and led the effort to implement a long term roads maintenance plan to tackle infrastructure deficiencies while stimulating economic development in town.