GOP: 'No Question' Button Departure Is Good for Party

And then there were two.

Following the , the field is back to Republicans vs. Democrats, and both tickets responded to the news of the third-party departure with confidence.

“It’s a good thing for Republicans … There’s no question about it,” said Republican Committee chairman Steve Solomon, who said Button’s departure “definitely” plays to the GOP’s advantage.

“We’re going to reunify ourselves now. All the divisive stuff is behind us, and that can only mean good things for the town,” said Solomon.

Some, including members of the Republican Party, had theorized Button’s candidacy would peel off GOP voters, thus making a Democratic victory far more likely.

Democratic candidate Mark Hines said he doesn’t put too much stock in that argument however, mentioning that a number of Republicans in town have pledged their support for .

“They’ve said, ‘I’m just tired of the Republicans. They just can’t deliver,’” Hines said. “People are getting out of partisan politics.”

He added, “Whether having a third party would have helped us or hurt us, I don’t know. If (the Republicans) think that’s a big advantage for them, that’s good for them.”

Still, Solomon viewed Button’s exit as a plus for the GOP and believed Button was at least partly motivated by a desire to help the party.

“This was a guy who is a Republican at heart. He knew what his candidacy would do to the party,” said the GOP chairman. “John Button was trying to unify a splintered Republican Party.”

Solomon stated however that Button made the decision to drop out on his own, with no nudging from the party.

Though the mayor and his Republican brethren had seemed at odds of late—a rift fully revealed when —Solomon had nothing but positive things to say about the one-term mayor.

“I can’t emphasize enough that he’s a good man,” said Solomon. “In the end, we’re all still neighbors.”

For more information about , visit their website www.gnp2012.com, and for more information about the Democratic candidates for council, visit their website results4moorestown.com.

Click on the PDFs above to read the full statements from the Democrats and Republicans regarding Mayor Button’s withdrawal from the race.