The Morris Plains Democratic Committee has denied the endorsement of two-term Mayor Jason Karr by voting in favor of a council member in the June primary. The committee voted by anonymous ballot on March 11 to endorse Council Member Nancy Verga over Karr. Following Verga's third term on the Morris Plains Borough Council, Karr announced he would run as an independent candidate. Karr was "blindsided" by the committee's decision, but said he is okay with their decision and will move forward. The controversy surrounding the recent approval of a McDonald's restaurant may have influenced the committee’s decision.