South Brunswick Councilman to Challenge Republican Incumbents in 16th District Elections

Yesterday marked the deadline to file petitions to run in November's legislative elections.  In the wake of last week's redistricting verdict that moved South Brunswick and the Princetons to the Republican-leaning 16th District, Democratic South Brunswick Township Councilman Joseph Camarota will face an uphill climb to win one of two Assembly seats up for grabs.

Camarota, of Kendall Park, will be joined by Marie Corfield, of Flemington, on the Democratic ticket to challenge Republican incumbents Denise Coyle, formerly of Bernards, and Peter Biondi, of Hillsborough, for two 16th District Assembly seats.

"We hope the redistricting presents an opportunity to make the 16th District somewhat Democratic," Camarota said last week.  "The best town to do that would be South Brunswick based on our population and ability to deliver Democratic votes. The state controls so much of what goes on in municipalities with unfunded mandates and the energy receipts tax.  I can bring a firsthand knowledge of what's going on in these municipalities and the challenges we face."

Coyle's hometown of Bernards was moved into the 21st District as part of the redistricting, but she will seek re-election to the Assembly in the 16th district. According to the New Jersey Division of Elections, Coyle listed her new address as a residence on Brookstone Drive in Princeton to remain in the 16th.

Hillsborough Democrat Maureen Vella will challenge Republican incumbent Christopher "Kip" Bateman, of Somerville, for the 16th district's Senate seat.

The 16th now includes 15 municipalities in four counties, with South Brunswick (43,417) and Hillsborough in Somerset County (38,303) the most populous towns in the district.  Also included are the Princetons in Mercer, Branchburg, Manville, Millstone, Montgomery, Rocky Hill and Somerville in Somerset County and Delaware, Flemington, Raritan, Readington and Stockton in Hunterdon.