Below are biographies and responses for Diane Gerofsky and Lisa Richford, the two candidates running for the Nov. 8 election of Mercer County surrogate.

DIANE GEROFSKY (D) (INCUMBENT)

Biography: Diane Gerofsky was born and raised in Trenton. She attended Trenton public schools and Douglass College graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Gerofsky, utilizing her degree, was a social caseworker with the Department of Human Services and as a home instructor for the Trenton Board of Education. In the early ’80s Gerofsky changed career paths entering into business/legal administration where she was responsible for the financial, human resources and overall administration of three area law firms. In 1996 the opportunity to run for the office of Mercer County Surrogate arose. Gerofsky has been elected to the office in 1996, 2001 and 2006.
Gerofsky is an untiring community activist as a member of the Mercer County Community College Foundation, board member of Trenton YMCA, member of the Contemporary Club (New Jersey Federation of Womens’ Club), League of Women Voters, NAACP, Urban League Guild and President of Douglass College Class of 1967, Executive Board member of the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey and State Representative to the National College of Probate Judges.
Gerofsky has been honored by Trenton YMCA, Puerto Parade Committee, Business and Professional Women, Fraternal Order of Police, League of Women Voters, NAACP and New Jersey Federation of Colored Womens’ Club.
She resides in Lawrence Township.

Why should you be re-elected as Mercer County Surrogate?
Over the past fifteen years I have created an office that is user friendly and accessible while offering a compassionate and caring setting for those in needs of my services—whether it be probate of an estate, adoption filing/certification, appointment of a guardian for an incapacitated person, custodian of minor funds, formal accountings or a wedding ceremony. With institution of eight satellite offices; a homebound program; written plain language literature/web site dealing with Surrogate office procedures; educational seminars; and trained staff the constituents of Mercer County receive a rapid turn around of all procedures filed.
With re-election and five more years in office, I will be finalizing a contract to revamp the office technology. This project is being undertaken at no expense to the taxpayers. An additional two satellite locations are under discussion with no expense to the taxpayer. I am exploring relocation to a larger site to allow for private probate areas, more searcher space and housing for historic books. My objective is to continue to provide an excellence in service while maintaining a budget that is fiscally prudent and places a minimal burden on the taxpayers.

LISA RICHFORD (R)

Biography: Lisa Richford, a successful local attorney with her own practice in Yardville, has been a loyal servant to the people of Mercer County for more than two decades. Born in Philadelphia, Richford has resided in Hamilton for the last twenty years and in Mercer County for 30 years. Richford currently resides in Hamilton with her husband, Darryl and young son, Cameron.
The daughter of a marine and Ukrainian immigrant, Richford began her formal education in the Lawrence Township school system before graduating from Hightstown High School in 1983. Upon receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in law and justice from Rowan University, Richford earned her Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in Lansing, Michigan.
As a proud member of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Bar, in addition to serving as a long-standing member of the Mercer County Bar Association, Richford worked under a number of well-respected judges since the start of her legal career in 1984. She has helped firms large and small, corporate and private, with cases dealing with Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts and Guardianships and Adoptions and has the legal expertise that will bring great comfort to citizens of Mercer County dealing with the many challenges associated with aiding grieving families with the loss of loved ones as well as assisting families with those who care for our special needs community.

Why should you be elected as Mercer County Surrogate?
I am not a politician, but it does not take a politician to see that an office as vital as Mercer County Surrogate can be a much more productive and efficient consumer resource to the residents of this county. The elderly and those with special needs, whose community is growing to crisis levels with the rise of autism and Alzheimer’s disease in the State of New Jersey, require our immediate and unwavering support. I have dealt with these types of matters for the last 20 years.
Although a law degree is not necessary to hold the office of Mercer County Surrogate, such legal expertise will be of great comfort to citizens of Mercer County dealing with the many challenges associated with aiding grieving families and families in crisis. The Surrogate works with both the County Government and the State Superior Court, and much of what the Surrogate does is determined by the Administrative Office of the Courts at the State level.
My life experiences and 20 years as an attorney have sufficiently prepared me for this challenge. I will bring accountability and affordability back to the Surrogate’s Office, fixing current technology bottlenecks, transporting the Surrogate’s Office into the 21st Century.