Lawrence Dems file for Township Council seats Lawrence Dems file for Township Council seats Two Democrats have filed nominating petitions to run for two open seats on the Lawrence Township Council, eliminating any political party primary fight in the June 8 Democratic Party primary. Incumbent Township Councilmen James Kownacki and Christopher Bobbitt, both Democrats, filed their nominating petitions by the April 5 deadline. Kownacki is serving in the ceremonial post of mayor for 2021. No one filed to run for the Republican Party nomination for the Lawrence Township Council in the June 8 Republican Party political primary – the first time in several years that the party is not fielding candidates.