June 3, 2009 - 12:07am
Inside Edge

Lucas leads Marchand by 46, Peterson ahead of Smith by 57

Two Assembly races, both GOP primaries, appear headed for a recount.  In District 3, Lee Lucas leads Arthur Marchand, a former Cumberland County Surrogate, Prosecutor and Freeholder, by 46 votes.  Marchand's running mate, East Greenwich Mayor George Shivery, ran 171 votes behind.  Dr. Robert Villare, a surgeon and first-time candidate, will be one of the two Republicans to face the Democratic incumbents, John Burzichelli (R-Paulsboro) and Celeste Riley (R-Bridgeton).  In District 23, Hunterdon County Freeholder Erik Peterson is 57 votes ahead of Edward Smith, who is Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R-Oxford).

Wally Edge can be reached via email at politicsnj@aol.com.