Chester Twp., Mendham Twp. Regional Board Reps Face Election Challenge

Taking a page out of last year’s campaign book, the West Morris Regional School Board is set for a chaotic November election.

Candidates running for seats on the nine-member school board needed to file petitions by 4 p.m. Monday with the Morris County Clerk, and this year’s ballot will have both new, current and old names.

Chester Township representative Marcia Asdal will be opposed by James Johnston, the former regional school board member, vice president and president, who let his term expire in 2013. At the time, Johnston told Patch it was time to move on from the board, but didn’t count out any future involvement.

In 2013, Johnston said he was “just taking a break for now.”

His seat was filled by Gary Lakritz, the current board president, who beat out two challengers for the November Election win. Lakritz ran for the regional board in 2011 but lost to Asdal.

The contest won’t end there, however, as Mendham Township representative James Button will be faced by newcomer Robert Strobel, the current township committeeman and vice mayor.

Strobel did not file for re-election on the governing body this year prior to the June Primary Election. This is his first foray into a school board campaign.

In Washington Township, one seat is up for grabs, currently filled by Tom Richar. While the county did not list his name, the incumbent told Patch he did file to run for re-election.

All seats come with three-year terms. The General Election is set for November 4.