Martha Bark may not be running for re-election, but the eighth district Democrats don’t want her to go away. At least not as a campaign issue.
In a press release today, Democratic Assemblyman and State Senate candidate Fran Bodine and his Assembly running mates Chris Fifis and Tracy Riley said that their Republican opponents should either condemn Bark or embrace her. To make the point, Burlington County Democratic Chairman Rick Perr used language reminiscent of President Bush.
“It’s quite simple. Either you are with Bark and support her agenda or you are against her,” said Perr.
Bark faced an Attorney General probe for an alleged no show job at the Burlington County Bridge Commission that netted her $300,000, but has not been charged with a crime. Bodine has faced his own ethical issues – he was recently made the subject of a Courier-Post story about being paid $75,000 a year by two companies to “make introductions” for clients seeking government contracts.
The Democrats’ release peppered the Republicans with questions about whether they’ll make public appearances with Bark and even drew up a tongue-in-cheek pledge for the candidates to sign.
"Martha Bark was never indicted for her no-show jobs and therefore should be commended for doubling her pension at the expense of taxpayers,” read one part of the pledge.
Burlington County Republican Party Executive Director Chris Russell said that the release was “so ridiculous that it doesn’t deserve a yes or no response,” and raised the topic of Bodine’s jobs. Then he asked a question of his own.
“The Martha Bark investigation has been going on for years without any charges filed against her. Since their campaign is being funded by Camden County bosses, where do they stand on Camden County’s own Wayne Bryant, who has been indicted?” asked Russell.
