Benson Wins Mercer Co. Democratic Line Over 5-Time Incumbent

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Assemblyman Dan Benson won the Mercer County Democratic line for County Executive over incumbent Brian M Hughes.

Benson won with a staggering 77 percent vote over the five-time incumbent.

The results came as a surprise because incumbents rarely lose party support, especially in NJ.

Around 500 voting delegates from Mercer County, including others, visited the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Princeton on Sunday, Feb. 5 to cast their ballots.

“Thank you to the Mercer County Democratic Committee for endorsing our campaign,” Benson said Monday. I’m so humbled by the level of confidence and support you have placed in me.”

After the results were announced, Hughes said he plans to continue his campaign.

“I am proud of the work of my administration and how far we have come together. It was 19 years ago that I stepped up to take on a Republican-controlled machine that was in power for 24 years,” Hughes said. “Since then, our party has not only maintained complete control of our Board of Commissioners, but every county-wide office along with scoring huge Democratic victories in state and federal campaigns.”

The incumbent said he was committed to be successful in the primary election to be held in June.

“I believe that the more than 120,000 Democratic voters in this county should have a say in who their nominee for County Executive is, so I am taking my campaign to them," Hughes said. "I look forward to comparing my record of accomplishments with that of my opponent before all the Democratic voters in Mercer County."

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