JFK Democratic Club Franklin Township

09/09/2026

It's more important than ever to be sure our votes are counted!

In 10 days, our county will be distributing its vote by mail ballots. If you don’t receive your ballot by October 9, contact the office of the county clerk. See below for details

New Jersey is currently in litigation with the federal government and at this time no one knows exactly what the outcome will be.

The Somerset County Clerk’s office will be issuing Vote By Mail ballots beginning on September 19, 2026, in accordance with New Jersey state law. I know that many of you rely on receiving ballots in the mail and, at this time, we plan on following our regular procedures to make that happen. If you do not receive your ballot by October 9, 2026, please contact my office at 908-231-7013 immediately.

If you are not comfortable receiving a Vote By Mail ballot at this time, you can change your status from Vote By Mail to in-person voting by completing the Opt-Out Form on my website or emailing [email protected] no later than September 4. You can return to voting by mail at any time after the election by submitting a new application.

You can get updates at County’s social media pages, at www.somersetcountynj.gov/government/elected-officials/county-clerk/election-division and by signing up for our special email alerts at https://webapps.co.somerset.nj.us/coclerk/subscribe.aspx

Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, my staff is always available to help! Feel free to contact us at 908-231-7013 or [email protected].

09/07/2026

Labor Day is more than a long weekend — it’s a celebration of the workers who built this country. Today we honor fair wages, safe workplaces, and the dignity of every worker.

08/17/2026

At our last general membership meeting, we welcomed Adam Hamawy, the Democratic Congressional candidate for CD-12. He spoke about why, after years working as a physician, he wants to work in government. After the presentation, Patrick Murray interviewed Dr. Hamawy and moderated questions from the audience.

Dr. Hamawy’s main priorities are:
* healthcare, not bombs
* abolishing ICE
* deregulating the economy.

Afterward, some of the Club members and many guests who attended the August 10 meeting chatted with Dr. Hamawy, and Deana Luchs, the JFK Club president, enjoyed giving him a Franklin Democrats shirt.

To learn more about Dr. Hamawy, visit his website. https://hamawyfornj.com/

08/14/2026

We are jumping on the 2016 versus 2026 picture-sharing trend. Ten years ago, we were getting ready for our annual picnic of good food, good conversation, and plenty of laughs. Back then, we were building the friendships and community connections that keep our club strong today.

A lot has changed since 2016, but some things have not -- JFK Club members still believe in showing up, staying engaged, defending democratic values and enjoying the company of neighbors who care about our community.

Take a look back with us! Who do you recognize in these photos? Please don’t hesitate to share any pictures of that picnic that you may have, or photos of anything you did with the local Democrats in 2016.

08/11/2026

REMINDER: We have 10 days left to contribute to Assemblyman Danielsen's backpack drive. Donate soon!

As the new school year approaches, I'm reminding everyone that my annual Project Backpack is still underway!

Every child deserves to begin the school year with the supplies they need to learn, grow, and succeed, and together we can help make that happen for students throughout Legislative District 17.

The donation drop-off sites will be the 17th Legislative District Office, Franklin Township Library (Main & Franklin Park Branch), New Brunswick City Hall, North Brunswick Municipal Building, and the Piscataway Libraries (JFK & Westergard locations). Your donations are greatly appreciated, and I thank you on behalf of all our students.

Whether you're able to donate a backpack, notebooks, pencils, or other classroom essentials, every contribution makes a meaningful difference. Thank you for helping ensure our students are prepared to start the school year on the right foot.

Always At Your Service,
Joe Danielsen

08/07/2026

All are welcome to our August 10 meeting to listen to a presentation by Dr. Adam Hamawy, the Democratic candidate for Congressional District 12.

If you have any questions about the JFK Club or the meeting, email us at [email protected]. To find out more about the Club – including dates of future events — visit our website https://www.jfkdemocraticclub.org/

08/03/2026

Will we see you on Tuesday?

JFK Club members plan to have a table at NNO to meet area residents and tell passers-by about our local Democratic organization. Stop by and say hello if you’re at the event!

National Night Out has been taking place across the U.S. for 40+ years.

07/31/2026

Did you know – local elections often have the greatest impact on our daily lives?! Stay involved, attend community meetings, and make your voice heard.

This weekend, people in our area can help the Rebecca Bennett campaign for the NJ-07 Congressional seat by participating in phone banking and in-person events. To help with phone calls, Click here to register . JFK Club members can find details about other activities in the “Actions” email that was sent to members on Wednesday morning.

07/27/2026

Some people spend a lifetime making a difference, and they never stop. In this Member Monday post, we introduce you to a respected member of our club -- a man who, in his usual humble manner, shares why he continues to work to make Franklin Township a great place to live -- former Franklin Township Councilmember Ted Chase.

Ted first became active helping Democrats more than 50 years ago – in 1972, as a supporter of George McGovern!

In this video recorded at the John Clyde Memorial Grassland Preserve, he speaks with pride about the work he has done to preserve open space there and in town, protecting the places where families can gather, children can play, and nature can continue to thrive. Ted reminds us that leadership isn’t about recognition. Leadership is about stewardship, service, and making decisions today that will benefit generations to come.

07/08/2026

Our next meeting is Monday, July 13. Join us, if you can, to hear a presentation by a specialist in public education – Mike Gottesman, founder of New Jersey Public Education Coalition www.njpecoalition.org . He will speak about the "Hidden Network Behind School Board Battles" with emphasis on Turning Point USA and Club America's efforts.

We believe in the importance of learning about issues that will help us elect appropriate leaders.

Information about the JFK Club, including dates of meetings & events, can be found on our website https://www.jfkdemocraticclub.org/.