UPDATE: Councilman Drops Out of Morristown Primary

Councilman Kevin Gsell will be moving from Morristown and has dropped out of the council primary, town Clerk Matt Stechauner said.

"I got a letter from him withdrawing from the race," said Stechauner. "He has not resigned his seat. Vacancy law would apply should he do so."

NJ.com reports that the clerk was informed "late in the day" Monday and that Morris County Clerk Joan Bramhall said the municipal Democratic committee informed her Tuesday morning that they planned to hold an emergency meeting Tuesday to fill Gsell's vacant spot on the ticket. Ballots for the primary election are scheduled to be printed later this week, Bramhall said. 

Mary Dougherty, Morris County Democratic Committee Vice Chair confirmed that there was no such meeting.

"Our real concern is that the language and intent of the statute could be violated if a replacement name is put forth," said Allie Stilwell, on behalf of council challenger Jessica Williamson. "We expect the town clerk to guarantee the integrity of the process by not permitting a replacement name." 

Williamson was one of six that announced they were running in the Democratic primary. The three town council members at large were up for re-election and there are three challengers:

• Council President Michelle Dupree Harris
• Council Member Kevin Gsell
• Council Member Toshiba Foster
• Tom Alexander
• Planning board member Michael Pooler
• Jessica Williamson

With Gsell out of the running, this may affect Mayor Tim Dougherty's plan this June.

The mayor announced in March that he is heading a "united team" to run in the June 4 Democratic primary. The team included Dougherty's running mates, Harris, Gsell and Toshiba Foster.

Gsell, who has a background in information technology, serves as the body's liaison to the Morristown Housing and Parking Authority.

Patch is waiting to hear back from Gsell.