Hightstown Democrats Nominate Gail Doran as Third Candidate

The Hightstown Democratic Municipal Committee recently named Gail Doran as the third candidate to vie for a Borough Council position in November.

Doran, a four-year resident of Hightstown, will run for a one-year, unexpired term, joining Susan Bluth and Rob Thibault on the democratic ticket. Bluth and Thibault will run for three-year terms, according to Walter Sikorski, Democratic Municipal Committee chairman. The decision to select Doran was made at the July 19 committee meeting, Sikorski said.

The newly named candidate isn’t entirely unfamiliar with the election process. After Democratic Councilman Dimitri Musing resigned in April, Doran was one of three candidates ––  along with Mike Vanderbeck and Eugene Sarafin –– considered to temporarily fill the vacancy. The council selected Vanderbeck on May 2, according to council meeting minutes. Vanderbeck will not seek to keep the seat.

Doran, who is a high school science teacher in Monmouth County, is a regular attendee of town council meetings, Sikorski said.

“I’m pleased that we have someone who actively participates in the council meetings,” he said. Doran’s presence at these meetings, he said, demonstrate commitment.

“It shows that she has an interest and understanding of the issues,” he added.

To finalize Doran’s nomination, the committee submitted a petition to the borough clerk on July 28, with 14 signatures, one more than the number required, Sikorski said. 

Three council seats are vacant, two of which carry three-year terms and one that is a one-year, unexpired term.