Local Dems not backing Choi in primary
Current council member Ricigliano has support instead
BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer
Middlesex County Democratic Party Chairman Joseph Spicuzzo feels that incumbent Edison Mayor Jun Choi has not received the support of county committee members, something that may impede his ability to get past the June primary.

Choi's prime rival for the Democratic spot in the general election, current council member Antonia Ricigliano, is the only candidate screening for the party's nomination.

"She has the Democratic line, and so of course we will support her," Spicuzzo said. "I don't normally get involved in primary battles, but this time I have to say that he [Choi] hasn't received the support of Democratic Committee members. This time around, the people are behind Ricigliano."

According to Spicuzzo, "It was awkward" that Choi didn't want to be screened for the party nomination. The deadline for candidates to file to be screened was earlier this month.

"I guess he decided that he wouldn't have the support of the committee members," Spicuzzo said. "I feel like he should have screened at the very least. Now he's going to find it very hard just to even get out of the June primary."

Conversely, Choi's political director, Mike Barfield, said that the mayor's choice to not be screened should not have an adverse impact on his campaign.

"This was the correct move for Jun Choi," Barfield said. "People know what he has done for Edison Township in his four years in office. The response to his candidacy has been positive, even with him not being screened."

Choi ran off the party line four years ago and won the primary. He eventually gained the backing of the party for the general election.

Barfield also stated that "the local party represents the broken political system of the past."

"That system was plagued by political corruption and a system that really didn't serve the people properly," Barfield said. "The local party needs to be reformed and the mayor is in the midst of doing just that."

Spicuzzo, who has been the committee chairman for "about 15 or 16 years," stated that he has always been in touch with many local mayors, but with Choi, that cannot be said. "I talk to many political figures in our area, especially mayors," Spicuzzo said. "With Jun Choi though, it's been different. He hasn't elicited any ideas from me. I think in his four years, he could have mended a few more fences than he has. He's alienated many good Democrats and now he's in a really tough spot with the primary coming up."