Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello on Not Seeking the Democratic Nomination for the vacant New Jersey 12^th Congressional District Seat

Since our outstanding 12^th District Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced that she will be retiring at the end of her current term, many people have approached me about running for this seat. I had expressed some interest in doing so and appreciate all who have encouraged me to run as a Democratic official with a proven track record of public service. I am truly honored to be approached to pick up the mantle from Bonnie and be the voice needed in Washington to represent the people of the 12^th Congressional District.

I’ve spent time during these last weeks talking to many supporters, elected and political leaders in the District, and my friends and my family, as I considered running for this Congressional seat.  I am deeply concerned about the direction of our Federal Government right now and we need a strong, principled Democrat representing New Jersey’s 12^th Congressional District to be a fighter for the people, our system of government, economic stability, the rule of law and, most fundamentally, our system of representative government with checks and balances on the abuse of power.

During this time, I also began my new 5-year term as Mercer County Clerk, where I continue to protect people’s property rights, access to Veteran IDs, County IDs, notary services, small business registrations and, most importantly, their access to a verified ballot with a paper trail, both at polling sites and through Vote by Mail programs along with accurate and timely election results.  I continue to do this all using best practices, modern technological tools and a strong reliance on our homeland security agencies.

Because I have concluded I can do more to best serve the public through my public service career right here in New Jersey rather than in Washington, D.C., I will not pursue the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 12^th Congressional District.  I have more to do in New Jersey to best serve the public moving forward, especially to defend democracy at the State and local levels, while safeguarding personal privacy and property rights. I’m excited to continue in this role, especially now as these rights are being threatened on a national level, and to defend any erosion of our voting rights or privacy rights in policy and practice.

It is encouraging to see the number of candidates that have stepped forward to win the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 12^th Congressional District and succeed Bonnie, with some outstanding candidates from my own Mercer County! I look forward to speaking with each of these candidates to determine whether their priorities for Congress align with my own principles, so I can determine who I believe is the best choice to succeed Bonnie Watson Coleman in Congress.