Editorial: Beach in the Sixth

Rep. John Adler (D., N.J.) left some big shoes to fill when he left his state Senate seat for Congress last year. Now, Camden County's Sixth District must choose between two candidates who would have to work hard to reach that standard.

Adler was replaced by fellow Democrat James Beach, who was appointed by the party's county committee to finish the term. Having held the office less than a year, Beach hasn't gotten up to speed in representing the district, which includes Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, and Collingswood. But his opponent, Republican Joe Adolf, a former mayor of Magnolia, brings little to the table other than his unquestioned desire to serve the public.

Give Adolf, 72, credit for taking up the party banner in a district where Republicans are outnumbered 2-to-1. He also ran against Adler in 2003 and 2007. But Beach has a better chance of working with the majority party's leadership in the Legislature to benefit his constituents. The Inquirer endorses JAMES BEACH.

Beach, 63, of Voorhees, previously served as Camden County clerk and as a freeholder. He is a retired high school teacher, football coach, and guidance counselor. In the past legislative session, Beach cosponsored a bill to eliminate school districts that have no operating schools. He also introduced two bills to combat child pornography.

Given Beach's freshman status - and bad publicity for taking a pension-padding job at Camden County College, which he has since resigned - the Republicans may have missed an opportunity for an upset. The Sixth is one of only two districts with a state Senate seat up for grabs this year. But the GOP once again put up a token opponent.