Jeff Hansen, Denice DiCarlo Running Unopposed in Party Primaries

It’ll be a pair of one-horse races heading into the June primaries, as West Deptford’s Republicans and Democrats each solidified behind single candidates for the lone open seat on township committee.

As expected, Denice DiCarlo, who is , will run for the Democrats, while the Republicans have put forth Jeff Hansen, who chairs the , as their candidate.

Unlike last year, there will be no challengers on either side—the splinter Gloucester County Republican organization, which r, filed no candidates this year.

Neither candidate was a surprise; Hansen’s name has been floated as the likely candidate since at least January, though West Deptford Regular Organization Republican chair Joann Priga said the Republican selection committee considered three candidates for the position, with Hansen winning out.

“He’s an excellent candidate,” she said.

Priga called the unity behind one Republican candidate a sign that Republicans of all stripes have faith in the Regular Organization Republicans.

“They believe we have the right people running,” she said.

The Democrats had an easier job of it.

“No one else threw their hat into the ring,” West Deptford Democratic head Gerald White said.

Given what he called “divergent views” on how local government should be run, White said the general election should be interesting.

“I feel strongly Denice is a well-qualified candidate,” he said. “We look forward to a spirited campaign.”

Though the primaries will be unopposed, there’s still the chance of an independent candidate coming forward, as . The filing deadline for independents is 4 p.m. on June 5, the same day as the primary election.

The township committee will remain majority Republican, no matter the outcome of this year’s election. With only one seat open, the Democrats can only hold on to keep the Republican majority at 3-2.