Dems lining up to campaign for Rush Holt’s Congressional seat in New Jersey

The race is on for Democratic candidates hoping to fill Rep. Rush Holt’s 12th District slot in Congress.

At least seven potential candidates have contacted Mercer County’s Democratic party chairwoman, Liz Muoio (MOI’-oh), to express interest in the seat since Holt announced Tuesday he would not seek re-election in November.

State Sen. Linda Greenstein of Middlesex County has said she intends to run, and Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (chiv-uh-KULA) of Somerset County is among those seriously considering campaigning for the seat Holt has held for the better part of two decades.

The Democratic district stretches from Trenton to Plainfield and includes parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Union and Somerset counties.

Two other New Jersey incumbents – Reps. Jon Runyan and Rob Andrews – also have announced plans to step down.

COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES within the 12th DistrictMercer County

East WindsorEwingHightstownHopewellLawrencePenningtonPrincetonTrentonWest Windsor

Middlesex County

CranburyDunellenEast BrunswickHelmettaJamesburgMiddlesexMilltownMonroeNorth BrunswickOld Bridge*PlainsboroSouth BrunswickSouth RiverSpotswood

Somerset County

Bound BrookFranklinManvilleSouth Bound Brook

Union County

FanwoodPlainfieldScotch Plains*

* Portions of these municipalities are located outside of the 12th Congressional District.