(Piscataway) — A special meeting of the Piscataway Democratic Organization (PDO) was held this month to screen candidates for the ward council seats.

Incumbents Frank Uhrin (Ward 1), Jim Bullard (Ward 2) and Michele Lombardi (Ward 4), along with Sharon Carmichael (Ward 3) were overwhelmingly endorsed by the PDO committee members. Uhrin, Bullard, Carmichael and Lombardi are committed to delivering exceptional services and programming, ensuring fiscal stability, government transparency, protecting our environment and delivering real results for all residents of Piscataway.

The special meeting was presided over by Councilwoman Gabrielle Cahill, new Democratic Chair. After decades of dynamic leadership, former Mayor and PDO Chairman, Ted Light retired from his official role in the organization at the January meeting passing the torch to Cahill. “Together, we have built a strong local grassroots Democratic Party of inclusion, diversity and shared values here in our community and I am honored to have been able to work with dedicated people every step of the way,” said Light. “It is time for a new chapter and Gabrielle brings new ideas and motivational leadership while maintaining the core Democratic values that our organization has long stood for,” Light added.

“Ted has led us through two very challenging elections during the height of the pandemic never missing a beat. As the Covid-19 public health crisis raged Ted worked to make sure that voters rights were protected as he led the team to victory delivering big Piscataway numbers for President Biden in 2020 and Governor Murphy in 2021 and all our state, county and local candidates including myself,” said Cahill. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his tireless leadership and devotion to our township, this organization,” Cahill concluded. Cahill will now lead the organization through the next campaign cycle that has Piscataway favorite, Congressman Frank Pallone topping the ticket along with the Middlesex County County candidates, two of which are former Piscataway council members, Sheriff Millie Scott and Chanelle Scott McCullum.

Locally, the Ward 3 Council vacancy was created by the retirement of long-time Councilman Steve Cahn, an attorney and former Marine. Cahn spearheaded the groundbreaking ordinance prohibiting the sale of guns and ammunition near schools garnering nationwide acclaim and the support of the Brady Campaign to end gun violence. Cahn supporting his successor’s candidacy said, “Sharon Carmichael is a brilliant professional who is dedicated to our community. Her experience and proven leadership qualities will be an asset to our Mayor and Council and I am looking forward campaigning door to door with her,” Cahn said. Carmichael, a senior level professional working in voice recognition technology at AT&T holds degrees in mathematics and computer science. She has lived in town for 36 years and was active in PTO, Little League, Pop Warner and the Superchief Band Parents Association while raising her three very accomplished children. Carmichael is a steward and long-standing member of the North Stelton AME Church. Carmichael spoke passionately about her work with the church and with NJ Orators, an organization devoted to training youth in public speaking where she served as a volunteer coach and competition director.

The PDO members are excited to work on behalf of the entire team for the upcoming June 7th Primary Election. Joining Cahill on the PDO leadership team as PDO Vice- Chair is Ward 2 District 2 Committee Member Dennis Espinosa. “Dennis brings energy, enthusiasm and the keen ability to move our organization forward. He is a team builder who embodies Democratic ideals and we all are looking forward to an exciting campaign cycle,” said Cahill.