PCDO endorses Nemeh

Nemeth earned the nomination for the 16th Legislative District Assembly seat over teacher and education activist Marie Corfield. Corfield lost by 2,000 votes to longtime Republican Assemblyman Peter Biondi in an election this past November. However, Biondi died two days after the election, creating a vacancy that this year’s election will fill.

Nemeth and Corfield debated for 30 minutes. Both candidates offered an opening statement, and then the floor opened up to questions from the audience.

In response to a question regarding how the candidates would go about campaigning and winning the election in this district, Nemeth cited her deep connections to the area.

“I grew up in this district; I raised my family in this district; I have the experience to campaign in this district,” Nemeth said.

Corfield said she would continue the traditional “knocking-on-the-door method and connecting with the people.”

Nemeth received the requisite 60 percent to earn the endorsement.

Prior to the debate, Menendez, Holt and Cornell-Bechelli addressed the committee.

Menendez started off the meeting with brief remarks detailing the votes he has cast and positions he has taken in the Senate. Menendez was heavily applauded throughout his speech for the stances he has taken, including opposing the Iraq war and supporting President Obama’s healthcare reform bill.

This was his first in-person appearance at an endorsement meeting in Princeton. He described Princeton as “one of the most progressive towns in the state.”

Following Menendez was Holt, who has served as the representative for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District since 1999. Holt used to work as the assistant director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

He commented on a litany of issues, including tax policy and the recent news that the New York Police Department had monitored Muslim students in the state of New Jersey.

“Many of you have said you like the way I work to represent you,” Holt said. “I am here tonight to ask your active support to go back next year and represent you in Congress. I want to get back there to be a voice for America playing a constructive role for peace in the world.”

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Cornell-Bechelli made some brief remarks emphasizing the importance of Obama’s reelection.

“Part of our efforts is to reelect the president, but we also want to support the Democratic ballots so that the president has a strong base in Washington,” Cornell-Bechelli said.

She also encouraged the audience to come out and support the new Obama reelection campaign offices that will be opening in New Brunswick on Wednesday.

The three candidates running for Mercer County Democratic freeholder—Ann Cannon, Pasquale “Pat” Colavita and Samuel Frisby — were also in attendance, and gave brief speeches toward the end of the meeting while ballot votes were being counted.

All unopposed candidates and non-Assembly candidates were endorsed by acclamation of the audience. The meeting was held at the Suzanne Patterson Building, behind Princeton Borough Hall.

There will be a separate endorsement meeting held on March 25 for local races. Currently the position of mayor and all seven seats for the new Princeton Council are open for PCDO endorsement.