Camden Dems back LaPlaca, Natale

Gina LaPlaca and Mark Natale moved forward in their bids for State Assembly seats in the 8th district today, winning the Democratic organization line in Camden County.

Four Camden municipalities are in the Burlington-based district — Berlin Borough, Pine Hill, Pine Valley and Waterford.  In 2017, the four towns made up 12% of the Democratic primary vote in the 8th.

LaPlaca and Natale won the endorsement of the Burlington County Democrats on Thursday.  Two years ago, 85% of the votes cast in the Democratic primary came out of Burlington.

The 8th has one Atlantic County municipality — Hammonton — which contributes 3% of the district-wide primary vote.  Atlantic County Democrats will hold their convention tomorrow.

LaPlaca, a former top aide to Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts and a veteran lobbyist, is running with Natale, an Evesham attorney, in a bid to pick hope two Assembly seats Republicans have held since 1975.

Assemblyman Ryan Peters (R-Hainesport) has teamed up with Burlington County sheriff Jean Stanfield.  Assemblyman Joe Howarth (R-Evesham) is running off the line in the June 4 primary.

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