Berkeley GOP Taps Byrnes And Askew for Township Council Race This Fall

The Berkeley Township Republican Club has picked and to run for the Ward 1 and Ward 2 seats up in the November election.

Byrnes - who is currently Township Council president - and Askew have served on the council since they were appointed in January to fill the two vacant seats.

The two men had some competition for the slots at a recent meeting of the club's screening committee, Club President said.

"It was not a unanimous vote, Fulcomer said.

Byrnes - who is filling the unexpired term of former Councilwoman - was challenged for the Ward 1 seat by Charles Abbate and John Hudak. Hudak withdrew his candidacy before the vote was taken, he said.

Askew - who is filling the unexpired term of Mayor - was challenged by Nick Mackros, Michael Horowitz and Edward F. Cammarato. Horowitz also withdrew his candidacy before the vote was taken, Fulcomer said.

Unlike the GOP, the Berkeley Township Democratic Club has not settled on who will run against Byrnes and Askew in November.

"We had no idea yet," Democratic municipal chairperson said today. "Some people have expressed interest. Then we had people back out. We had some good candidates. Now we are back to square one."

The Democrats have until April 2 to come up with two candidates. That's the deadline for party candidates to file to run in the June primary.

The Township Council, once a Democratic bastion, is now solidly Republican. Amato and his running mates swept the November general election in the race for mayor and three council seats.