Richard McClellan

Mercer County Democratic Chairman Richard McClellan, who had announced earlier this year that he would step down from his party post, has decided to seek re-election this June, according to Democratic sources. 

Richard McClellan, who said earlier this month that he would step down as the Mercer County Democratic Chairman, will now remain in office through the county convention next month -- at the request of County Executive Brian Hughes and other local officials.

Mercer County Democratic Chairman Richard McClellan issued a one-word response to suggestions that Seema Singh, who is the target of a state ethics investigation, drop her bid for State Senator in the 14th district:  

"Nuts," McClellan said. 

There are reports from Mercer County that Richard McClellan will step down as the Democratic County Chairman. One possible replacement, reportedly at the suggestion of County Executive Brian Hughes, is attorney Paul Anzano. McClellan's full-time job is at Hamilton Township Hall, where he works for Mayor Glen Gilmore.

One of the most popular themes in political campaigns of the early 21st century is government reform and there has been no shortage of candidates willing to tout their reform agendas in an effort to win votes. Earlier this cycle, Doug Forrester held a large orange broom during his Conga Line of Corruption ad, and Jon Corzine took on Joe Ferriero in a Special Election Convention for State Senate in Bergen County. That's why it's noteworthy to recognize the efforts of one candidate who doesn't seem to pander to the pro-reform newspapers: Paula Sollami Covello, the Democratic nominee for Mercer County Clerk. Covello had a meeting with the editorial board of The Trenton Times this week and so there would be no confusion as to her independence from party bosses, she brought Mercer County Democratic Chairman Richard McClellan with her.

Despite her best efforts, Covello might still oust two-term GOP incumbent Catherine DiCostanzo in predominately Democratic Mercer County. The party organization announced today that they will pay to air a new Covello TV ad over 1,200 times between now and election day. This is the same ad that got Covello into trouble last week when she was caught parking in a handicapped space after arriving late for the filming.

Not every Democratic Party leader is mad at Jon Corzine: consider the comments of Mercer County Democratic Chairman Richard McClellan: "Regarding the Inside Edge column on the County Chairs and Jon Corzine, free to put me on the record as saying that he has no problem with this member of that constituency. Although I hold no pretensions as to the relative power of my position in Mercer vis' a vis some of my colleagues, our success in changing this County from Republican to Democrat under my tenure ought to count for something. As I have from early on, I support this candidate and his vision and we are moving to make it a reality. You may recall that we in Mercer were among the first to endorse Jon Corzine. To a man and woman we remain proud of that stance. I have been working with the candidate personally to put together the best campaign we can in Mercer and that has only strengthened my resolve to get him elected. Frankly, unsigned criticisms to the media are worse than useless, they are dishonorable."