3 Cranford Candidates Will Vie For 1 Open Town Committee Slot

CRANFORD, NJ — Three candidates filed by the deadline this past Monday to be considered for the Democratic or Republican nomination to run for a spot on the Cranford Township Committee.

Now, two of the Democratic candidates will face off in June for the nomination, then face a Republican and possible independents in November.

Cranford runs under the township form of government. The five members of the Township Committee are elected by the public, and they choose a mayor from among themselves for one year. Committee seats last three years.

Last year, two new committee candidates were elected. This year, only one seat is open on the five-member committee.

Who's running this year?

This year, Gina Black is running unopposed for the Republican nomination on June 8. Then she will then face a Democrat in November. She ran for committee last year as well.

Two Democrats are running:

• Incumbent Committeeman Thomas H. Hannen Jr., under the banner of Democrats for Cranford, and
• Kate Rappa, under the banner of the Cranford Democratic Committee, part of the Regular Democratic Organization of Union County.

Hannen has served as mayor in the past. He has gotten the nod of the regular Democratic Committee when he ran for previous terms, but not this year.

"We thank Commissioner Hannen for his service," said Cranford Democratic Commitee Chair BJ Kowalski. "Now is the time to look to Cranford's future, and that is why Cranford Democrats are proud to support Kate Rappa."

All three candidates are currently involved in various Cranford organizations and have raised families in town.

Watch Cranford Patch for more detailed information and candidate profiles.

To contribute candidate information, suggestions, and more, email: caren.lissner@patch.com.

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