2007 race for mayor’s seat already heating up
Former state treasurer McCormac files to run against Pelzman
BY JAY BODAS
Staff Writer

Is a split forming in the ranks of Woodbridge Township’s Democratic Party?

Last week, then-state Treasurer John E. McCormac announced that he would file paperwork for a possible 2007 run for mayor of Woodbridge Township. He said he intends to win the Democratic Party nomination from Mayor Frank G. Pelzman.

“I’m running as a Democrat,” McCormac, 47, said last week. “I filed the paperwork to declare myself as a candidate. I can’t solicit for a contribution unless I am technically a candidate, and then I will be out soliciting.”

Some of his opponents are already soliciting support, so his announcement was a “timing decision,” he said.

“I wanted to make sure people know I am considering the candidacy before people take sides,” said McCormac. “It was a strategic call before people get out too far ahead of me.”

Pelzman, 71, said he was not surprised by the announcement.

“It wasn’t unexpected as rumors have been flying around that he would be interested in running,” Pelzman said.

He said he planned to run for re-election.

“My intention is to run for full-time mayor, and I look forward to talking about the issues,” Pelzman said. “I think we have done more than an adequate job. I have lived here all my life, and my family and children all still live here. I have no intention of seeking higher office. I love the job, and it is the greatest job in the world.”

Woodbridge Democratic Party Chairman James Durek said that McCormac’s entry into the race is all part of the Democratic process.

“Any registered Democrat in the town can come before the committee to screen for an elected position to determine if they would get the Democratic line,” Durek said. “That process will start early next year. Resumes are distributed to all the members of the committee and there is an opportunity to make a presentation.”

The nominee who is then selected by committee members will have the backing of the Democratic party going into the June 2007 primary, Durek said.

“One of my concerns as chair is that sometimes these things can be divisive within the party, but I am confident in my local committee.” he said.

McCormac announced his intention on Jan. 17, the last day of his job as state treasurer, while speaking on a radio program on station 101.5 FM.

“People who know me, know I have been thinking about this for a while,” McCormac said in an interview last week. “I’ve always wanted to be the mayor of the town, back from when I was a kid. I have lived in Woodbridge since I was 2, and my parents still live in the house I grew up in.”

McCormac said it was too early in the campaign season to comment on Pelzman’s performance as mayor.

McCormac was the township’s chief financial officer from 1992 to 2002 and also served as acting business administrator before he left to take the state treasurer’s job. He has never held elected office beyond the position of Democratic committeeman.

Pelzman said that no one else had formally indicated to him an interest in running for mayor.

Council President Patricia Osborne said she thought it would be an interesting race.

“John was the acting business administrator and CFO in Woodbridge when I first came on the council,” Osborne said. “I know him and worked with him, and he did a fine job. There had been a persistent rumor that he would throw his hat into the ring and run for mayor, and that is what a democracy is all about. He would be a worthy appointment and will run on his record. I am quite sure it will be a very issue-centered campaign.”

Until the campaign season heats up, McCormac says he will be busy with a “business development consulting practice” he and partner Caroline Ehrlich will establish.

Ehrlich currently serves on the Township Council. She was previously McCormac’s chief of staff before she resigned from that position last week.

Prior to that, she was a confidential aide to McCormac after leaving her job as director of Oak Tree Nursery School in Edison.

“We have seen a lot in our years, and we want to help a variety of clients in the financial field with marketing and expanding their businesses,” McCormac said.