April 16, 2019

RAHWAY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES 2019 SLATE FOR COUNTY COMMITTEE

The Rahway Democratic Committee is pleased to announce it has successfully secured a slate of 48 candidates to appear on the ballot for Union County Democratic Committee for the June 4, 2019 primary election.

“These candidates have all shown leadership in their personal and professional lives and are loyal to the mission of the Rahway Democrats – that cooperation is better than conflict, unity is better than division, empowerment is better than resentment, and bridges are better than walls” said Kevin O’Brien, Party Chair.

County Committee Members are representatives of the Democratic Party in every neighborhood. Elections are won or lost in districts, and Committee Members are vital to ensuring strong Democratic support for Party candidates and issues. Committee Members are elected at the June primary and serve a two-year term.

Over the last two years under the new leadership of Chairman O’Brien and a revitalized Executive Committee the Rahway Democratic Party has risen from the ashes of years of neglect by former Chairs. While the core focus of the Rahway Democratic Party is that of a political nature, the party has also re-branded itself as a community organization welcoming all members of the community to their meetings which now includes guest speakers from many Rahway organizations. Meetings are also an opportunity to hear from local elected officials and get updated on what issues and events are going on at the local, county and state levels.

Mayor Raymond Giacobbe said, “Chairman O’Brien and the Democratic Committee have unified our party to spread our most basic Democratic Party message – that WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER. This slate of candidates are dedicated to moving our party forward.”

There were several other petitions filed on April 1st with the Municipal Clerk challenging the Rahway Democratic Committee and its leadership. Most of those petitions were withdrawn when the candidates were informed that they were in-fact opposing the Democratic Party, the Mayor, and the Council, despite being told otherwise by a few people who had personal vendettas and were refighting lost battles. Petitions that were not withdrawn were challenged by the Rahway Democratic Executive Board and deemed to be non-compliant in an official ruling by the Rahway Municipal Clerk.

“The three remaining opponents will be soundly defeated” said Chairman O’Brien “Our Party will campaign vigorously for every contested committee seat. We know how to win in Rahway, and we will be victorious”

Senator Nicholas Scutari, Chair of the Union County Democratic Party added “I am proud to stand with the highly talented Rahway Committee as we work with the citizens of Rahway to build a more just economy, a more equal society, and a more perfect union – because we are stronger together.

The next meeting of the Rahway Democrats will meet on Monday, May 6, 2019 at 7 pm at the Rahway American Legion on Maple Street.

The candidates are as follows:

Ward-District Male Female
1-1 James Young Ida Young
1-2 Al Parker Kristine DeJesus-Farrar
1-3 Tony Dalmau Quinae Chambliss
1-4 Robert Rachlin Melinda Rachlin
2-1 Michael Cox Lisa Rios-Cox
2-2 Derron Palmer Karin Napier
2-3 Roy Eastman Darlene Eastman
2-4 Jorge Arais Orfelina Arias
3-1 Robert Parson Vannie (Delores) Parson
3-2 John da Silva Lisa M. da Silva
3-3 Michael Presley Melissa Presley
3-4 Greg Gustofson Mary A. Gustofson
3-5 James Baker Joan Tapia
4-1 Roy Smith Helen Smith
4-2 Sean Kennedy Julia Major
4-3 Michael Richardson Joann Young
5-1 Bill Cladek Brittney Hale
5-2 Rick Zdan Anne Rowan
5-3 John Rodger Dawn Rodger
5-4 Jim Kennedy Lori Kennedy
6-1 Jeffrey Robinson Kathleen Robinson
6-2 James Heim Annette Heim
6-3 Terry Harrison Kelly Coyle
6-4 Kevin O’Brien Sally O’Brien