Dykoff Out Of Republican Primary For Township Committee

by Patricia A. Miller

Township Committeeman Mark Dykoff - who made headlines last fall when he punched then-Township Committeeman David Most at a Republican picnic - did not file to run in the Republican primary for the two available seats on the governing body.

The deadline to file was 4 p.m. this afternoon, Township Administrator Veronica Laureigh said.

Former Democratic Township Committeewoman Helen Dela Cruz is running alone on the Official Regular Democratic Organization ticket. Dela Cruz opted not to seek another term in 2012.

Republican Mayor Gary Quinn is running with Tim McDonald on the Republicans for Responsibility slate.

James K. LeTellier is running on the Focused on Lacey’s Future banner.

Board of Education member Eric Schubiger and Thomas Crowell are running on the Lacey Republicans ticket.

Quinn had already decided not to run with Dykoff after he punched Most at a Republican club picnic in Gille Park last September. Dykoff was issued a summons for simple assault. The matter was eventually heard in Manchester Township Municipal Court, where Most agreed to drop the charges if Dykoff publicly apologized to him.

Quinn even announced at a recent Township Committee meeting that was why he chose not to run with Dykoff, his former running mate.

The dissension in the Lacey Republican organization carried over at the group’s recent nomination meeting, where club members agreed to let the field of five run separately, not to endorse a specific slate.