Burlco Democrats set to endorse 8th District candidates

Tonight, Burlington County Democrats are expected to endorse a former Navy Seal and an Evesham councilwoman to challenge incumbents in the Assembly's Eighth District in November.

William Dennis Brown Jr., 31, of Rancocas Woods, and Debbie Sarcone, 50, both previously considered themselves Republicans and said they had recently switched to the Democratic Party.

Brown is completing his undergraduate degree at Rutgers University-Camden and works as a gym teacher at a private school in Willingboro. Brown, who served in Iraq, has been active in veterans' issues and cofounded a group at Rutgers-Camden for student veterans.

He previously served on a committee for Medford Mayor Chris Myers' U.S. House campaign. Myers, a Republican, lost to State Sen. John Adler. Brown withdrew from Myers' campaign after the Republican primary and backed Adler because of Adler's support for a veterans bill.

Asked how he would approach decision-making as a legislator, Brown said: "The first thing I will think about is how will this affect the families working in this district, the hardworking families. All my actions have been for the betterment of others. I will continue to do that."

Even if he loses, Brown said, he hopes that by running he will serve as a good role model for the thousands of young veterans returning to New Jersey.

Sarcone, who is finishing her first term on the Evesham Township Council, said she was hopeful she would receive the Democrats' endorsement. Once the announcement is made, she said, she will be "excited to get to work for the people of the Eighth District." She will not seek reelection to her council seat.

Sarcone sought but failed to win the Republican nomination for freeholder last year.

She said she was running for the Assembly because she believed the district needed new representation.

"I have a lot to offer," Sarcone said. "I know what the needs are at the municipal level. I'm a representative of rich, poor, business, labor, young, old. I'm definitely a voice of the people, and I will continue to be a voice of the people."

Sarcone works in her husband's business, Sarcone's Deli. She said she had also been active in her children's lives and in the community.

Among the issues she hopes to address if elected are school funding, affordable housing, and municipal aid from the state.

Brown and Sarcone would face Republicans Dawn Marie Addiego and Scott Rudder, both freshmen Assembly members, in a conservative district.

Burlington County Democratic chairman Rick Perr said, "We believe that whoever our candidates are are going to run an aggressive campaign and prevail in the Eighth Legislative District."

Tonight, Democratic Party leaders also are expected to endorse Kimberly Kersey of Mount Holly and Jim Bernard of Cinnaminson as their freeholder candidates.