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Republicans who want to fill the vacancy on the 1st District Assembly ticket have until the end of the week to declare their intentions, according to a memo from Cape May County party leader David Von Savage.

The party chairmen in the district's three counties jointly decided Monday to implement the process, three days after candidate Frank Conrad dropped out of the race, citing professional obligations.

Mike Donohue, the remaining Republican opponent to Democratic incumbent Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, did not welcome the notion of waiting another week for a new running mate. On Sunday, he endorsed Ocean City Republican leader John McCann to replace Conrad.

"I think the only people that benefit from delaying the process are our opponents. ... I am somewhat surprised that it's not moving a little more quickly," Donohue said. "I don't think there's anything nefarious going on. I'm sure the chairman (Von Savage) wants a fair process."

Interested Republicans would need to e-mail Von Savage, Cumberland County leader Bob Greco and Atlantic County leader Keith Davis by 4:30 p.m. Friday. Elected party committee members would then have until 4:30 p.m. July 1 to vote.

Only McCann has given written notice, or even verbal notice, Von Savage said. He could not be reached for comment Monday evening.

"I'm confident that John McCann will be my running mate," Donohue said. "I intend to be a significant part of this process. ... We think, certainly, our campaign's preference should be given consideration."

Although McCann said Sunday both Greco and Davis have endorsed his entry to the race, Von Savage said all three chairmen agreed to open the process described in state statute.

"This is, I think, a healthy and productive process that at the end of the day makes the party stronger and the candidate stronger," Von Savage said. "I don't see this as a negative at all."

Scheduling conflicts scuttled a Cape May County party leaders meeting this week that Donohue hoped would result in McCann's endorsement.

E-mail Eric Scott Campbell:

ECampbell@pressofac.com

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