Joshi Won’t Seek Democrat Org Endorsement For Edison Mayor Race

EDISON, NJ — Edison Council Vice President Sam Joshi recently announced he will not seek the Edison Democratic Organization’s endorsement for his run as mayor.

“I have decided at this time I will not be subjecting our campaign to the screening process for mayor through the Edison Democratic Organization,” Joshi said via Facebook live.

“The only thing that this means, is that I will not be seeking the endorsement of these 156 committee members for mayor.”

Joshi went on to say he was looking at “all other routes and options.”

The candidates cited three primary reasons for his decision. Firstly, the chairman who controls the committee at Edison Democratic Organization, Mahesh Bhagia, is himself seeking nomination for mayor.

Secondly, Joshi said the rules and procedures for the convention were provided 12 days prior to the convention, “but to date they have not been finalized.” He said these rules were subject to change until seven days before the convention, which is on Feb. 24.

And finally, he expressed concern over the ballot counting procedure. Joshi said voting will occur via paper ballot, and no one except for the chairman’s hired coordinator and council are allowed to be physically present as poll challengers until the counting is already done.

"These are the terms I cannot simply subject our campaign to,” Joshi said.

Joshi informed that his campaign has raised around $100,000 with no funds coming from builders and establishment.

“I have declined thousands... and will not take any money from builder at all,” he said.

It’s not yet clear what route Joshi plans to take for the future.

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