Rich McClellan

Unable to field a candidate both willing and able to do the job, Mercer County Republicans yesterday took a pass on replacing a freeholder candidate who had dropped out last month.

Yesterday was the deadline to file a replacement candidate for Republican Darren Chell, who dropped out of the race on August 8th citing personal and business obligations. 

Mercer County Democratic Chairman Rich McClellan gleefully pointed that out in a press release today, trumpeting it as a proof that Republicans tacitly acknowleged that Democrats ran an effective county government.

"I want to thank Roy Wesley and the Republicans for providing the outstanding evidence to demonstrate what a great job the Democrats are doing in managing County government. By failing to fill the freeholder candidate vacancy, the Republicans are conceding the fact,” joked McClellan.

Mercer County GOP Sheriff candidate Jim McSorley
Republican Mercer County Sheriff candidate Jim McSorely today accused incumbent Sheriff Kevin Larkin of working a second job when he’s supposed to still be on the clock.

According to McSorely, Larkin works the 4:00p.m. to midnight shift at an apartment complex, when the Mercer County courts don’t close until 4:30p.m. 

“That half hour each day is time that Mr. Larkin is being paid by the taxpayers, but not performing the duties he is paid for,” said McSorely.  “How many Mercer County residents have jobs where their boss agrees to pay them even when they leave early so they can go work at another job?  My bet is not many, if any at all.  Yet, that is exactly the job the Sheriff has now and the taxpayers are the boss.  There is no question that this is an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars.”

Josh Zeitz in Hamilton today: Politicker Photo

HAMILTON - At a Democratic National Committee fund-raiser in New York City on Thursday, Michelle Obama asked 4th Congressional District challenger Josh Zeitz if he thinks New Jersey will be a battleground for her husband.

Zeitz told the first lady prospect that New Jersey is safely Democratic territory. Then he added something specific about his own challenge of entrenched U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4).

"I told Michelle Obama we’re going to work hard, and yes, we’re going to win that race," he said of his longshot bid to upend the veteran Smith and help give Obama a solid majority in Congress.

As they listened to the story, a small crowd clapped in Zeitz’s Hamilton campaign headquarters, which the candidate opened today on South Olden Avenue, a few blocks from the congressman’s house.