Incumbent Edison Mayor Tom Lankey today is filing petitions to run for reelection as an independent.

The two-term local leader of Edison had the backing of the Democratic Party until this current reelection cycle.

But the politician parted company with the party.

Lankey filed to run on a general election slate that includes Alvaro Gomez and Mike Lombardi and Lev Patel.

Another candidate, Richard Brescher, also filed to run for mayor as an independent.

In the meantime, Edison features one of the most contentious June 8th elections of the year.

Backed by the Middlesex County Democratic Committee, Edison Council Vice President Sam Joshi is the favorite for the nomination in a showdown with Edison Democratic Party Chairman Mahesh Bhagia.

Today’s election outcome could change Lankey’s mind about whether he actually makes it to the finish line of the general election.

He had to file by 4 p.m. today to reserve the right to run.

Now, he will take a couple of weeks to take a hard look at the situation.

There are several moving parts.

Republican Keith Hahn – himself the former Edison Democratic Committee Chairman –  is seeking the GOP nomination on June 8th.

In March, Lankey – hardly sounding like the dejected dance partner jeered at by party poohbahs – told InsiderNJ he would be leaving his options open.

“I’ve not made any announcement,” the mayor said.

He panned the local Democratic organization.

“I gave them a loan of $25,000 and they haven’t paid me back,” he said.

Irritated, “I’m seriously considering filing to run as an independent,” he acknowledged.

On the one hand, Lankey seemed relieved of the whole mess of trying to juggle the duties of being a Democrat in Edison/Middlesex.