By Rachel Kapochunas, CQ Staff

When New Jersey Democratic Rep. Robert E. Andrews announced his decision to challenge incumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg for the Senate, lawyer Camille Andrews stepped up to the plate to fill her husband’s shoes. But Camille Andrews publicly stated if party leaders wished to replace her at a later date, she was willing to withdraw from the race.

That was back in April.

Southern New Jersey party leaders have yet to publicly announce whether Democratic nominee Camille Andrews will remain on the 1st District ballot, leaving the open seat election in flux.

Her “placeholder” candidacy drew some blowback from critics, such as the editorial board of the Philadelphia Inquirer, which expressed its displeasure with what they described as “backroom politics.” But Andrews easily won her party’s nomination in the June 3 primary over three lesser known candidates (including one who received no votes.)

No official decision has been made about who will be on the Democratic ballot in November and Andrews’ Republican challenger, minister Dale Glading, is growing impatient with a process he says is robbing voters of their choice.

Andrews’ public events have been minimal and her recent decision not to attend a local town hall debate drew sharp criticism from Glading. Glading said invitations were extended by pastor David L. McMurray to attend the meeting at the First Baptist Church of Blackwood

“The people of the district want to hear what the candidates stand for and if she’s not going to be the candidate, for her to get out of the way and allow them a voice in selecting the real candidate,” Glading told CQ Politics.

Andrews’ campaign manager Benjamin S. Parvey II said in a statement it was “premature” to debate Glading “at this time” and noted that “the Democratic parties in the First Congressional District look forward to a vigorous campaign that includes a meaningful debate with the Republican nominee in the Fall.”

In a follow-up email with Parvey, he criticized the town hall debate Glading attended. “If and when nonpartisan credible organizations sponsor debates, Ms. Andrews will gladly participate on behalf of the Democratic party and address the issues important to the voters of the First Congressional District.”

Critics say Andrews has displayed little evidence she should be taken seriously, from minimal campaigning to a website that is void of news, issues, positions or events.

Independent analysts say Andrews’ decision to hold off on debates with her Republican opponent can be chalked up to “normal behavior” for any Democratic candidate in the solidly Democratic district. CQ Politics rates the race Safe Democrat.

“Camille Andrews is behaving much more like an incumbent,” said Ingrid W. Reed, New Jersey Project Director for Rutgers’ University Eagleton Institute. “She doesn’t have to pay attention to a person who is probably not going to get many very many votes in a district that votes overwhelmingly Democratic.”

Andrews has until Sept. 14 to withdraw from the race, the last day a primary nominee vacancy can occur. If she does so, the Democratic party committees of Camden, Burlington and Gloucester counties, which make up the 1st, are permitted by state law to choose a replacement. Primary vacancies must be filled by Sept. 17.