In the early-going of a competitive Democratic Primary amid behind the scenes party pushing and shoving, 7th Congressional District candidate David Pringle of Cranford today endorsed Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr for Union County Democratic Committee Chair.

“Mayor Mahr has earned the position of County Chair,” said Pringle. “She should not be passed over again. Donald Trump has attacked, assaulted and demeaned virtually every group of Americans in his year in office. His conduct has been most offensive toward women. He has been fundamentally unfair while the nation cries out for fairness.”

Pringle’s running in a CD7 Democratic Primary in a field of fewer than ten candidates that includes two women: Lisa Mandleblatt of Westfield and Linda Weber of Berkeley Heights.

Earlier this month he raised questions about the process amid bewilderment in the party over Union County Democratic Committee Executive Director Nick Fixmer’s seeming personal preference for Pringle rival (and former State Department diplomat) Tom Malinowski, and how that might impact the CD7 tilt.

Fixmer is aligned with Mahr’s rival state Senator Nick Scutari (D-22).

“It would be a further insult to women to pass over a qualified woman who has worked hard to elect Democrats and shares our progressive values,” added Pringle, an environmental activist who took a leave of absence from his job to run full time for the seat currently occupied by U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7).

“The Democratic Party needs to practice what it preaches: diversity – of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, profession and more; and  democracy with a small d – fair and open processes,” Pringle added. Colleen Mahr is a strong advocate for women’s issues and more — one has to look no further than her inspiring speech this past Saturday in NJ 7 CD’s Westfield Women’s Rights March representing NOW. She has paid her dues and been unfairly passed over twice for promotions — a victim of the old boy network.”