Shehady's Status Brings County GOP to Springfield

When Mayor Ziad Shehady's was inaugurated in January, Republicans from throughout the state gathered in Springfield to celebrate. On Saturday Shehady's election brought them back.

Union County Republican Chairman Phil Morin said Shehady's election as the township's first Republican mayor in 16 years was a main reason behind his decision to hold the county Republican convention at Springfield's Jonathan Dayton High School this year. The convention served to designate party backed candidates for Congress and county office for this year's election.

The convention changes location every year. When asked why the party chose Springfield this year, Morin replied, "Why not?

In addition to celebrating Shehady, convention delegates backed U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon County) in his bid for a second term and endorsed Linden attorney Arthur Zapolski for county clerk and former Rahway Councilwoman Elise Bocciechio-Medved for county freeholder.

County Democrats are running another former township mayor with a place in history for county wide office this year. Zapolski will face Democratic County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, Springfield's first female mayor.

Shehady's status as the first Republican mayor of Springfield in over a decade and as the state's youngest mayor has prompted many in GOP circles to speculate about his future ambitions. Shehady for his part is quieting down the speculation, saying he is not looking toward state or federal politics at this point. His focus, he said, is on Springfield.