To the Editor:

In 2013, year one of the new consolidated Princeton, two seats on the Princeton Council will be up for election. As the president of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) and as the chair of the Princeton Democratic Municipal Committee (PDMC), we are writing to encourage all genuinely interested Democrats to step forward as candidates for these seats. We want to briefly outline the endorsement process for the community, but potential candidates should contact us to learn more about the endorsement and primary election process, and all candidates must contact us by March 3 to be considered for endorsement. We will have an open reception this coming Sunday, February 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 210 Moore Street. If you are interested in running this year or in the future, please come and ask questions and learn more.

The endorsement process for Princeton Democrats will involve two steps, as it did last year. First, the PCDO will hold its annual endorsement meeting for local candidates on Sunday, March 17 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Suzanne Patterson Center (behind the former Borough Hall). This meeting is a week earlier than usual to avoid conflicts with the public school break and Passover. After debate and discussion, PCDO members will vote by secret ballot to endorse Democratic candidates for two seats on the Council. The PCDO endorsement is an important step for Democrats who wish to compete for the nomination for these offices.

Second, the Princeton Democratic Municipal Committee will hold its endorsement meeting the following evening on March 18, where the committee will receive the results of the PCDO endorsement vote. Candidates will each appear for a discussion with the Democratic Committee members, and then the committee will vote to endorse two candidates. The results of this two-step endorsement process will decide which candidates will receive the Democratic Party endorsements for the June primary. Candidates will have until April 1 to file nominating petitions in order to actually appear on the primary ballot. The Democrats selected in the June Primary will then appear on the November ballot.

Candidates seeking the PCDO endorsement must notify PCDO President Jon Durbin by March 3 (14 days prior to the meeting) by email at jonwdurbin@gmail.com or at (609) 924-2438. Similarly, Princeton Democrats should join the PCDO or renew their membership by March 3 to be eligible to vote at the March 17 meeting (dues are annual per calendar year, $15 suggested and $5 minimum). Membership information and a downloadable form are available at www.princetondems.org/join. To see the Democratic Committee members for your voting district, visit municipal-committee.princetondems.org/members.

Jon Durbin

Mt. Lucas Road, President, PCDO

Peter Wolanin

Spruce Street, Chair, PDMC