by Kaitlin Tambuscio
Like the rest of the nation, Lawrence is focused on what will be, no matter what the outcome, a historical presidential election. The Democratic nominee will either be African American or a female and if John McCain emerges victorious in November, he will be the second Catholic to hold office.
In Lawrence, this election has excited among the citizens and leadership of the town. According to Pam Mount, member of Lawrence’s town council, Lawrence is a predominately Democratic town and has voted Democratic in virtually all elections.
Leading up to the Feb. 5 Super Tuesday primary in New Jersey, Lawrence Mayor Mark Holmes 
and his fellow town council members worked to increase voter throughout the community. Last fall, Mount said that she went door-to-door with fellow council members encouraging unregistered citizens of Lawrence to register for the upcoming election.
According to Mount, “There was a big turn out [Super Tuesday], much bigger than usual. People were engaged.”
Part of this engaged body of voters came from the young people that reside in Lawrence. Mount said that a lot of the young people that showed up to vote were Rider University students. Throughout the nation, young votership is historically low, so Mount though it was nice to see this deviation from this trend in Lawrence.
Mount added that Mayor Mark Holmes’ announcement of his support for Democratic candidate Barack Obama was another unusual aspect of this election. According to Mount, generally, local leadership does not declare their allegiance to a candidate. This year, however, Mount and other council members, have not been shy about their political beliefs.
Pam and Gary Mount own the Lawrence landmark Terhune Orchards, and sometimes utilize the space to hold social gathers and fundraisers. This year, Mount hosted a fundraiser for the Hilary Clinton presidential campaign at the farm featuring former Secretary of State Madeline Albright. Mount says that Sen. Clinton is the most qualified candidate because she has had an inside look at politics and already has relationships with the big international players. She believes that, “politicians should come from real life” and that Clinton does.
The buzz about the nation and Lawrence will not cease when the Democratic and Republican nominees are announced. However, the 2008 Election will continue to consume the media until long after November.
Image credit: Lawrence Township Council website
