“I feel confident about my ability to win in November,” said Township Committeewoman Sue Nemeth referring to the race for the newly-created 16th District Assembly seat.

Before running for office in November, Ms. Nemeth must defeat another 16th District Democratic hopeful, art teacher Marie Corfield of Hunterdon (www.citizensformariecorfield.com) in the June primary. If Ms. Nemeth wins, she is likely to be running against Republican incumbent Donna Simon In November.

Ms. Nemeth believes that receiving the unanimous endorsement of the Mercer Democratic Committee was an important step toward winning the June 5 contest. She also points to the fact that Ms. Korfield “has no experience,” and, unlike Ms. Nemeth, “never served in office.”

The prospect of a race against an incumbent does not appear to daunt Ms. Nemeth, either. “I’m well-positioned to run against a Republican in the fall,” she commented. Ms. Simon, who was appointed to fill an unexpired term of a deceased assemblyman, has, according to Ms. Nemeth, “no record that anyone can point to.”

“I know it’s going to be a tough race,” she acknowledged, “but I have 30 years of experience.”

Politics has been “a lifetime endeavor,” said Ms. Nemeth. For 20 years she worked at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, where she promoted women’s participation in politics and government across the country. Earlier, she worked with New Jersey Citizen Action on the campaign for the Right to Know Act, legislation that protects people from exposure to hazardous chemicals. She organized the coalition that passed Family and Medical Leave legislation in New Jersey, and is a member of URA-AFT Local 1766 at Rutgers University and the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey.

Ms. Nemeth is currently serving her second term on the Princeton Township Committee and is vice chair of the municipal Democratic Committee.

“I have fought for consolidation and won property tax relief; negotiated payments from Princeton University; helped create the Princeton Ridge Preserve to protect our ancient woodlands; and fostered job growth in the region by supporting a proposed $300 million Arts and Transit development,” said Ms. Nemeth. “I’ve championed senior and affordable housing, helped save our community pool complex, and fought to preserve essential community services.” And, she adds, “I am a steadfast supporter of public education and a past member of the board of the Princeton Education Foundation.”

Asked about the implications of Princeton consolidation for her campaign, Ms. Nemeth described consolidation as “a piece of the puzzle. We are a full package of policy issues and proposals that will lead to tax relief in Princeton.” She describes tax relief as “a huge issue,” that the governor has only “danced around.”

Ms. Nemeth’s resume also includes a recent one-year stint as deputy mayor of the Township. It was “a great experience,” and Ms. Nemeth reports that she particularly enjoyed focusing on “the bread and butter issues.” These included working with the Citizens Finance Advisory Committee, and participating in a negotiating team with Princeton University. “Representing the community” in the mayor’s place was also a positive.

“As I seek the endorsement of Democratic organizations in Mercer, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Middlesex counties and prepare for a tough general election battle, I pledge to bring energy, creativity, and commitment to our shared values to Trenton to solve our district’s most pressing problems,” said Ms. Nemeth.

For more information, or to contact Ms. Nemeth with questions and suggestions, visit suenemeth.org.