Local Democrat at home in Republican stronghold

SPARTA-If Democrats have been the weak sisters in Sparta political circles, the township’s newest councilman may need additional muscle to go toe-to-toe with local officials in the longtime Republican stronghold. Many Sparta voters who elected Jerry Murphy to the open seat on the township council were well aware that the longtime resident was opposed to building a new high school. Some even knew he was a decorated captain in the Marines Corps. But only a few had knowledge that the former college administrator is a registered Democratic. Yet, despite 63 percent of the local electorate backing the unsuccessful gubernatorial bid of Republican Doug Forrester, 58.9 percent of the Sparta voters threw their support toward the current treasurer of the Sussex County Democratic Party. And while the party faithful may be pleased with the outcome of the election, the county’s best known Democrat isn’t ready to jump in celebration just yet. “Jerry is indicative of a number of very bright people in our party,” said Howard Burrell, a Vernon resident and former freeholder and county Democratic Party chairman. “Jerry has the potential to demonstrate to the people the quality of his character. But I wouldn’t make any claims that the Democrats are taking over Sparta.” Neither is Murphy, who earned a seat on the council in the non-partisan election by just 15 votes against Ralph Flaherty, a member of the local planning board who had the endorsements of a number of county Republican heavyweights. “I knew what I was up against,” said Murphy, a township resident for the past 55 years. “You fight fire with fire. But I don’t think - on a council level - party enters into it. I would like to think that people pay attention to who is running rather that what party is running.” Burrell has been fighting the Republican majority in the county for years and welcomes any new company. The former freeholder spends a great deal of time working to increase the visibility of his often-overlooked party in Sussex County, where only 11 percent of the voters are registered Democrats, but 60 percent are considered independents. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm out there; we have not suffered for volunteers,” said Burrell. “But we have to earn our spurs.” During the fall, the party opened an office in Newton with a full-time staff member to coordinate John Corzine’s campaign for governor and provide expertise and support for local candidates like Murphy. Still, the party distance itself from Murphy’s success at voting booth. “People voted for Jerry,” said Burrell. “I wish more elections were non-partisan. I think we would get better government. People would look at the candidates and what they are saying instead of just the ‘D’ or the ‘R.’ There are some people who won’t look at a candidate if they are a Democrat and there are some people who won’t look at a Republican.” In the eight months that he has served as chairman, Burrell said attendance at Democratic Party meetings, held twice each month at the Hampton Diner in Newton, has increased from an average of 15 to more than 100 guests. Burrell also noted that in that time, Democrats have increased their number of committee seats in the county from 88 to 110. “There’s a lot of things we can do here,” said Burrell. “Our state party is willing to support us, but there are some things you can’t rush. You can’t build a house from the roof down.”