Lambert Withdraws From Township Race; Primary, General Election, Virtually Decided

Matthew Hersh

Democrat Karen C. “Casey” Lambert announced Monday that she would end her campaign for a seat on Princeton Township Committee, leaving the once-complex three-way primary race that had party organizers somewhat divided into an unchallenged contest.

Ms. Lambert’s husband, Sam, suffered a heart attack while the couple was in Maine. Mr. Lambert has undergone surgery and is expected to recover; however, these next six weeks leading up to the June 3 primary election are crucial, and Ms. Lambert said that she would devote her time to her family.

“It is with sadness that I withdraw from my campaign for Township Committee, but making sure that my husband Sam has a full recovery from the heart attack he suffered over the weekend is my sole priority right now,” Ms. Lambert said in a statement issued by her campaign. Ms. Lambert, 67, who announced her candidacy in February, served on the Township’s governing body from 2002 to 2004 and sought reelection in light of recent rezoning along the Princeton Ridge to make way for senior housing. Ms. Lambert has held a seat on the Princeton Environmental Commission and had been involved with the Campaign to Save Princeton Ridge. “I want senior housing, I simply do not want it on the Ridge,” Ms. Lambert told Town Topics during a February interview, pointing to potential development opportunities at the Princeton Shopping Center and the Valley Road building.

The North Road resident did not discount the possibility of running again in the future: “I have full faith that we will be hale and hearty once again but I cannot continue to campaign while he needs my undivided attention and support. It is my fervent hope that the issues I raised in my campaign over the past few months will bear fruit when the new Township Committee convenes in January. My thanks go to all the wonderful friends and supporters who urged me to run and counseled me so wisely. I care deeply about my community and hope to see a new day of proactive and responsive governance in all areas come January,” she said in her statement. With Ms. Lambert’s withdrawal, the race for two seats on Township Committee is now all but decided. Incumbent Deputy Mayor Bernie Miller is seeking a third term on Committee, and Sue Nemeth is looking toward a first term. No Republicans filed for candidacy upon the filing deadline of April 7.

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