Politics & Government

Political Lawn Signs Mark Start of Campaign Season

The Republican and Democratic candidates—and one noteworthy independent—are getting the word out.

And so it begins. Late last month, the signs first started appearing on Mountain Ave. and elsewhere. Now, with November looming, political signs have multiplied, with clusters of signs present on main drags, tributaries and cul-de-sacs alike. 

Five candidates are vying for the two open seats on Springfield's Township Committee, with four candidates from the two major parties and one independent.

Mayor Ziad Shehady is joined in his bid for re-election by fellow Republican and Springfield auxiliary police member Bobby Abraham. Shehady, an active service member of the National Guard, helped engineer a major political shift in Springfield, creating a Republican majority on a historically Democratic committee. He and Abraham have already been blazing a visible campaign trail. 

Find out what's happening in Springfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

David Amlen and Richard Huber are running as Democrats. Huber, a professional construction superintendent and an 11-year veteran of Springfield's Planning Board, unsuccessfully ran for the Township Committee in 2009. Amlen, the owner of a Manhattan recording facility Manhattan Sound Recording, is a veteran of Springfield's Board of Adjustment as well as numerous PTAs. Amlen's wife Deb writes Springfield Patch's humor column "Next Exit." 

Former Democrat and present member of the independent Springfield Party Bart Fraenkel is also running for re-election. Fraenkel, a former Mayor and current Deputy Mayor, broke from the Township's Democratic Party in 2009. He announced his independent candidacy earlier this year.

Find out what's happening in Springfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As the campaign seasons heat up, look to Patch for updates and more information on the campaigns and the races. 


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