Goodwin rules out a 2009 Assembly race to focus on re-election in Hamilton

Hamilton Township Councilman Tom Goodwin sent out a release today announcing he intends to seek re-election to the Hamilton Township Council in 2009, and therefore will not pursue another run for the Assembly in the 14thLegislative District. 

"It has been both flattering and humbling to have received sincere encouragement from present and former elected officials, state political leaders and so many friends and colleagues," said Goodwin. "But four years ago we set out on a mission to improve Hamilton government and restore stability in our municipal business and that job is not yet completed. 

Goodwin ran on a Republican Assembly ticket with Jamesburg software engineer Adam Goodwin. Both men lost to the Democratic team of Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-Monroe) and former Hamilton Councilman Wayne DeAngelo. At the top of the ticket, Goodwin and Bushman's running mate, state Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Mercer) defeated former ratepayer advocate Seema Singh. 

Having already beaten his fellow Hamiltonian to win his seat on the local council, Goodwin only narrowly lost to DeAngelo in last year's legislative race. Many suspected he would be back.

But it won't happen, at least not this year. With Republican Mayor Jon Bencivengo now in charge, Goodwin expressed a desire to continue his work in Hamilton.

"We have begun to revise and refine redevelopment around the train station, established a municipal ethics board to oversee performance of elected and appointed officials, and taken the first steps to correct the devastation we found in Hamilton finances," he said. "While I am proud of our accomplishments over the past few years to restore the public's trust and confidence in municipal government here in Hamilton, more work needs to be done. 

"I will continue to work closely with the administration of Mayor John Bencivengo and my colleagues on the township council as we further clean up Hamilton's finances, pursue sound, sensible redevelopment projects throughout the township, and enacting the township code of ethics to guide all local government officials in their conduct of township business." 

Bushman last week told PolitickerNJ.com that he too is unlikely to pursue a run in 2009.