One month after saying that they planned to seek re-election this year to the all-Democratic Gloucester County freeholder board, incumbents Joseph Brigandi Jr. and Jean DuBois announced Friday that they have changed their minds about pursuing new terms.

Brigandi, of Glassboro, is stepping down after 13 years on the board. Mantua resident DuBois has opted not to run after completing her first three-year term. Both will serve until Dec. 31.

Now, the search is on to find two candidates to replace them on the ballot for November, said Freeholder Director Stephen Sweeney.

"They ran together; now they're going to finish up together," Sweeney said.

Even though Brigandi told the Times last month that he would run again, he said his decision changed after discussing with his family the time he has to put into both his roles as a freeholder and as the business administrator for the Borough of Glassboro.

"I feel that I need to devote more time to my wife and kids as well as my parents," he said. "In addition, my duties in Glassboro are crazier than ever in trying to figure out a budget and with the focus on Rowan Boulevard still being very intense. When I do something, I want to do it right and I felt I just couldn't do everything anymore to my satisfaction and the best of my ability."

Now in his 13th year on the board, Brigandi has served as liaison to the economic development office and to education for the county.

Brigandi said he was proud of many freeholders' initiatives during his terms, particularly the work done with the special services district and the creation of a school for children with autism.

"It's the first of its kind in the state and it's been such a popular program," said Brigandi. "The extension of the vocational school was also important, and just helping people in general Ð seniors, low-income families, those with disabilities Ð in a way that was fiscally responsible."

Prior to being elected to the seven-member freeholder board in 2007, Jean DuBois spent 10 years working as a purchasing agent and treasurer for Mantua Township and more than two decades as the county's treasurer and CFO Ð the first woman to hold that title.

During her freeholder term, she was liaison to a number of county services Ð including health and senior services, EMS and 911 dispatch, the medical examiner's office and the commission for women. She pointed to the county merger of the EMS units as one of the "positive things that the freeholder board has been doing for many years."

"We saved the towns $2.8 million," she said. "I am 100 percent proud of what I've done, what they've done, and I'm hoping that whoever takes my place is a team player.

She said the results of the last election had an impact on her decision not to run.

"It's going to be a brutal election year and ... it's going to take a lot of effort," DuBois said. "After the election last year, I think the people were saying they wanted change ... I really love what I'm doing, I just think that maybe a younger new face would be a good thing."

The 2009 freeholder race was close. Incumbent freeholders Robert Damminger and Joe Chila fought to maintain their seats against Republican challengers Chris Del Borrello, 26, and Ron Brittin, 50. Damminger pulled in 42,031 votes and Chila 39,950, compared to Del Borrello's 38,215 and Brittin's 37,466.

Freeholders serve three-year terms and receive $17,000 a year for what is considered a part-time post.

The Republicans haven't elected someone to a county post in a decade.

The GOP plans to announce its candidates next week, said county Republican Chairman William Fey.

Fey said the two incumbent freeholders decided to "run away" from politics, and criticized their records.

"We're in a $2 million deficit for 2010," Fey said. "The incumbents are in trouble."

He said that not having two incumbents against their candidates in the fall isn't going to make the race any easier for the Republicans.

"I just think we have the tide on our side with the taxpayers," he said. "People are fed up with what's going on at the state level. These are (former Gov. Jon) Corzine Democrats. You cannot run away from that."

Director Sweeney, who is also the Senate president, said he's confident the Democrats will maintain their hold in the county.

"Every election year is different, but one thing is constant," he said. The voter registration edge is "2 to 1 Democrat to Republican in this county."

Gloucester County Democratic Party Chairman Michael Angelini said the selection process will soon begin. They're asking anyone interested in running to submit a resume to the party's headquarters in Woodbury. A selection committee will make suggestions on March 13 and names will later be put up for a vote.

Both Sweeney and Angelini said no decisions have yet been made. Both seated elected officials and those who've never served in office will be considered, they said.

"We're going to look for candidates who are going to work extremely hard and be successful," Sweeney said. "We're anxious to see who comes forward."

Angelini said a number of people have expressed interest in the past that they would like to run if the opportunity was available.

"It could be somebody that's involved in government already, or maybe somebody outside," he said.