Judge Denies Motion To Dismiss Lawsuit Over Candidacy Of Bridgewater Democratic Candidate

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Bridgewater Republican Municipal Committee filed a lawsuit over Democratic candidate Saad Toor's eligibility to run for a township council seat. On Thursday, Toor filed a motion to dismiss the suit.

Toor, represented by Jeffrey Brookner, went before the Somerset County Superior Court on Thursday where his motion to dismiss was denied.

"Clearly there are sufficient facts to move this case forward," said Jim Weideli, Vice Chairman of the Bridgewater Republican Municipal Committee. "Toor's attempt to dismiss this matter was rightfully denied. The facts are crystal clear, Mr. Toor voted in Connecticut less than a year ago, establishing his legal primary residence as Connecticut. He now says that he lived in Bridgewater for two years, basically admitting to illegally voting in Connecticut. He only registered to vote in New Jersey this year. Incredibly, he's actually registered to vote in two states right now. One has to wonder if he intended to vote two times. He is clearly ineligible to run for the Bridgewater council."

The lawsuit was initially filed by the Bridgewater Republican Municipal Committee on Oct. 14 against Toor, who they allege lied under oath about his residency.

Any candidate running for council must be a registered voter and a resident of Bridgewater for at least one year prior to Election Day. The Republic Committee said Toor registered to vote in Bridgewater on January 27, 2021 and public records show he voted in Connecticut in the 2020 General Election.

"Since the 2020 General Election was held on November 3, 2020, and the 2021 General Election is held on November 2, 2021, Mr. Toor does not satisfy the one-year durational residency requirement," said the Republic Committee.

Toor did not respond to Patch's request for comment.

The suit also names Somerset County Clerk Steve Peter alleging he used political bias and favoritism towards Toor by failing to apply an equal standard of review towards Democrat and Republican candidates.

Somerset County Spokesman Nathan Rudy said the county does not comment on pending litigation.

The Court has scheduled a case management conference in this matter for Wednesday, November 3, 2021.

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