Carl Lewis expected to make run for N.J. Senate

Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis is expected to announce Monday that he will run for the New Jersey Senate.

"All indications are that he will run," a Democratic source said.

Nominating petitions were circulated on Lewis' behalf over the weekend.

If Lewis goes through with his planned 2 p.m. announcement in Mount Holly on Monday, he would become Burlington County's third athlete-turned-politician in recent years.

Legislative candidates have until 4 p.m. to file their petitions.

Lewis would face Republican State Sen. Dawn Addiego for the Senate seat that covers the solidly Republican east side of Burlington County.

Last year, former Eagle Jon Runyan, a Republican, won a seat that covers much of Burlington and Ocean Counties. In 2007, former Flyer Brian Propp ran for an Assembly seat as a Republican and lost.

Lewis issued a news release Sunday night saying he planned to announce "my political decision," but he could not be reached for comment.

Word of Lewis' possible candidacy circulated late last week, but he declined to discuss his plans publicly.

Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D., Burlington) confirmed Friday that Democrats were trying to persuade Lewis to run for the Senate.

Burlington County Democrats have fallen into a slump and now hold only one county-level office and two Assembly seats, as well as some municipal seats.

A Lewis candidacy is seen by some as a way to help rebuild the county party.

Lewis, 50, was born in Alabama and grew up in Willingboro. He now lives in Medford.

He won nine gold medals and one silver medal in the Olympics spanning 1984 to 1996, in sprinting and long-jumping.