Pelios to retire as Somerset Democratic Party chairman

SOMERVILLE - Elia Pelios will not pursue a sixth term as chairman of the Democratic Party in Somerset County.

"After ten years of banging my head against the wall, I've come to the realization that there's only so much more time before brain damage sets in," said the 38-year old chairman who operates in a GOP-controlled county.

Still, Pelios said this year's presidential primary generated new registered Democrats, and for all of the organizational advantages that Republicans enjoy in Somerset, they number just 1,000 more than the Democrats.

"There are approximately 47,000 registered Republicans, while we have about 46,000 Democrats on the books," said Pelios, an attorney from Somerville.

"We're in a good position," he added, and State Party Chairman Joseph Cryan agreed.

"Elia Pelios has put the Democrat Party in Somerset County in a better place and in a position where victory is on the horizon," Cryan said.

Pelios said he recently decided to retire as chair, out of "no overriding concern, just out of a sense of the rhythm of my life."

The party will elect a new chairperson at its reorganizating convention on the Tuesday after Election Day in June.

he has put dem party in som in better place and in a position where victory is on horizon for somerset democrats...