Fraenkel On Ballot

It's official. Springfield Deputy Mayor Bart Fraenkel will be running for reelection to the Township Committee as an independent. On Monday, May 31, the Union County Clerk confirmed that Fraenkel, first elected as a Democrat, would officially be on the ballot as part of the Independent Party.

With a full slate of Republicans and Democrats running for two contested seats, Fraenkel is entering a crowded playing field. Springfield Mayor Ziad Shehady is up for reelection, and is running with Police Auxiliary member Bobby Abraham. Richard Huber, who ran for the Committee as a Democrat in '09, is running with fellow Democrat David Amlen. 

As the only candidate without major party backing, he is somewhat handicapped. Nonetheless, he expressed optimism about the race.

"I hope to give them a run for their money," Fraenkel said. "But the bottom line is that it's very difficult for an independent candidate to win."

He added: "If I don't win, that's fine. Politics doesn't define me."