Judge OKs Candidate to Replace Gsell in Morristown Primary

A Superior Court judge ruled Friday that Michael Elms may relace Kevin Gsell on the ballot for Morristown Council in the June 4 Democratic primary, even though he submitted petitions after the deadline, according to NJ.com.

Kevin Gsell withdrew from the race April 15 and Morristown Democratic Committee endorsed Elms on April 17. NJ.com reports that Elms filed his petitions on April 18 and met the late filing requirement of submitting the signatures of more than 50 percent of Gsell’s signers who had met the original April 1 deadline, Zwillenberg said. Judge Stephan Hansbury upheld the argument by the committee’s attorney, Daniel Zwillenberg, who said elections laws over the years have been “liberally construed” to “promote voter participation” and allow for as wide a choice as possible.

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

The three town council members at large were up for re-election and there are three challengers:

• Council President Michelle Dupree Harris
• Council Member Toshiba Foster
• Tom Alexander
• Planning board member Michael Pooler
• Jessica Williamson
• And now, Michael Elms

No republicans are running.