Incumbent Democrats Face Primary Challenge In Gloucester Township

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ - For the second consecutive election, the incumbent Democrats on Gloucester Township Council will face a primary challenge before reaching November’s general election.

A total of 10 candidates filed petitions to run for four open seats in Gloucester Township by Monday afternoon’s deadline, according to the township clerk’s office.

Eight of those candidates are Democrats, including all four incumbents.

Council President Orlando Mercado, Council Vice President Tracey Trotto, Councilman Michael Mignone and Councilwoman Andrea Stubbs are all running for re-election.

In the June 4 primary, they will be challenged by a ticket running under the label “Democrats of Camden County Council.” This ticket includes Sam Sweet, former councilwoman Crystal Evans and former school board members Ellen Reese and Linda Gilch.

Sweet challenged Mayor David Mayer in the 2017 Democratic Primary, and has been a regular at council meetings, challenging council on a range of issues. In 2017, the incumbent Democrats were victorious in their primary bids.

The four candidates who emerge from June’s primary will face a pair of Republicans in November. Joseph F. Damico III and Edward L. Small filed their petitions to run by Monday’s deadline.

June 4 is also the deadline for third party candidates to file their petitions to run in the general election. The general election is set for Nov. 5.