Democrats Promoting Write-In Candidate for Tuesday's Primary Election

Democratic Township Committee candidate Bonnie Diehl will be alone on the ballot in seeking her party's nomination in Tuesday's primary election, but another Democrat, Michael Komondy, is running as a write-in candidate with the goal of receiving sufficient votes to be on the November ballot.

Any Democrats on the ballot in November will face two uncontested Republican candidates, incumbents John Carpenter and Mary Pavilini. Pavlini and Carpenter are seeking the two available three-year positions available on the five-member Township Committee, now all Republicans.

"I am of the belief that somebody should give back a little," Komondy said of his reason for seeking election. Komondy, of Conkling Street, said he served as a volunteer on the Basking Ridge Fire Company for a dozen years, and also for years on the Basking Ridge First Aid Squad. 

Diehl said on Sunday that the township's Democratic party is backing Komondy. She added she is running as a team with the write-in candidate.

The goal is for Komondy to receive at least 25 write-in votes so he can be listed on the Nov. 8 ballot, she said.

Komondy said he would like to see a different point of view, a "different perspective" on the governing body.

He said he is a reader of American history, and his ideas harken back to the time when elected officials served for a time and then returned to their regular lives. He said he doesn't believe in "career" politicians.

Komondy said on Sunday he has been campaigning for about a month. 

"The people of Bernards Township deserve a good, competitive race," Diehl said in her campaign speech. "I think there should be more voices heard," she added on Sunday night.