Democrats on verge of taking control in Somerset County for first time in decades

Mike Deak | Courier News and Home News Tribune

Show Caption Hide Caption Data.MyCentralJersey.com: Search millions of NJ, US public records When is the last time the overtime you received was more than your salary? Check to see what public employees earned in overtime now on Data.MyCentralJersey.com.

SOMERVILLE – The last time Democrats took control of Somerset County government was in January 1965 when "Petticoat Junction" and "McHale's Navy" were on television, three pounds of Eight O'Clock Coffee was $1.99 at A&P and "You Lost that Lovin' Feeling," by the Righteous Brothers was the No. 2 record in America.

In 1965, Democrats had been out of power in Somerset County for 43 years until they swept into power on the coattails of Lyndon Johnson's landslide victory over Barry Goldwater.

Now, 54 years later, with the unofficial victory of Melonie Marano to the freeholder board, the Democrats will hold a 3-2 edge on the board.

Plus, former Franklin Police Lt. Darrin Russo, a Democrat, defeated North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti for sheriff.

And two years ago, Democrat Steve Peter defeated Republican incumbent Brett Radi for county clerk.

"It's a trifecta," said Peg Shaffer, chair of the Somerset County Democratic Party.

Marano edged incumbent Republican Pat Walsh by more than 300 votes, 34,652 to 34,402. The results will become official after all absentee and provisional ballots are counted.

Walsh was hopeful the final total will be in her favor.

"We fought very hard in this election," she said. "We believe that there are a lot of votes left to count on Tuesday. I'm optimistic that after Tuesday, I will be victorious."

Al Gaburo, chairman of the Somerset County Republican Party, said "we are optimistic" that once all the votes are counted Walsh will be declared the winner.

Russo's margin over Parenti was larger, 35,886 to 33,423.

“Congratulations to Sheriff-Elect Darrin Russo,” Parenti said in a statement on Wednesday. "I called him and sent him a text last night wishing him well, applauded him on a good campaign and let him know that I am looking forward to working with him."

Gaburo said Parenti "ran a very good race and performed well countywide with the exception of Franklin."

"I assure you the loss was not from lack of effort," Parenti said. "Being a newbie to politics, I did make mistakes, but the effort was there from me and my wonderful wife Eileen and I thank her," adding that he also thanked the people who voted for him.

Shaffer attributed the countywide victories to the candidates who ran a "great race" and the volunteers who helped in the campaign.

She also thanked the "Indivisibles," those volunteers who have been motivated to volunteer and participate in the political process because of their opposition to President Donald Trump's policies.

"Our secret weapon is the guy sitting in the White House," she said, adding that every time the President visits his golf club in Bedminster, the Democrats gain volunteers.

Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in Somerset County. That change in demographics and unaffiliated voters trending toward Democrats are tilting the balance of power, she said.

Marano joins fellow Democrats Shanel Robinson and Sara Sooy on the freeholder board.

"We now have three strong women on the board," Shaffer said. "They're going to get things done."

"I am very excited and optimistic about the results," Marano said. "I won my first election in 2003 with provisional and mail in ballots, and hope it's the same in 2019. Close races like this are a reminder to voters that every vote counts."

In Hunterdon County, Republicans maintained their decades-long hold on county government with Sheriff Fred Brown re-elected to another three-year term and incumbent John Lanza and newcomer Zachary Rich winning. Lanza received 21,197 votes, Rich got 21,125 and Democrat Colleen McAulliffe received 14,860, according to unofficial results. Brown outdistanced Dominick Puzio, 20,254 to 14,324.

“Words cannot adequately express my gratitude towards my family, friends, supporters and the voters of Hunterdon County, who have judged me on my achievements and how I have treated others," said Lanza.

Municipalities

Though the Republicans may have not won the Somerset County races, the GOP performed well in the local races, capturing mayoral seats in Bridgewater, Raritan Borough and Bound Brook.

"Overall the GOP performed very well," Gaburo said. "Sweeps in Raritan, Manville and Bound Brook were very big wins. The GOP performed strongly up and down our county. We have a lot of positive results to enjoy now and into the future."

Republicans also continued to perform well in northern Somerset towns "in the face of some well-financed opposition," Gaburo said. “Bridgewater in particular ran a very good and aggressive campaign."

In Bridgewater, Township Council President Matthew Moench easily won a four-year term as mayor.

According to unofficial results, Moench defeated Democrat Jeffrey Brookner, 6,380 to 4,411. Libertarian Gregg Mele received 242 votes. That is a margin for Moench of 58% to 42%.

Moench's Republican running mates Michael Kirsh and Tim Ring won election to the township council, defeating Democrats John Arcoleo and Patti Selikoff.

Jill Gladstone, Lynne Hurley and Steven Singer were unopposed in their election to the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education.

In Bound Brook, Mayor Bob Fazen won election to a second four-year term. Fazen outpolled Democrat Abel Gomez, 772 to 675. Republicans Richard Jannuzzi and Jake Hardin swept the two council seats over Democrats Anthony Pranzatelli and Robert Dixon. Winning three seats on the school board were Lizethe Martinez, Joanna Hagan Musson and Tricia Russomano.

In Raritan Borough, Republican Zachary Bray was elected to a four-year term as mayor. Bray defeated Democrat Pablo Orozco, 954 to 638. Incumbent Republican Mayor Charles McMullin did not run for re-election. In the race for two council seats, Republicans Paul Giraldi and Nicolas Carra were victorious.

In Manville, Republican Richard Onderko won his second term as mayor, defeating Democratic Councilman Phil Petrone, 1,316 to 676. Republicans also swept the two council seats up for grabs. Winners were Ted Petrock III and Suzanne Maeder.

Democrats held on to the mayoral seats in Franklin, Somerville and South Bound Brook, with Phil Kramer, Dennis Sullivan and Chris Shoffner, respectively, winning new terms.

In Montgomery, Democrats Kent Huang and Devra Keenan ousted Republican incumbents Ed Trzaska and Kamran Quraishi for two seats on the township committee.

Frank DelCore won re-election to the Hillsborough Township Committee.

Democrats continued their winning ways in Watchung, traditionally a GOP stronghold. Pete Martino and Wendy Robinson defeated GOP incumbent George Sopko and his running mate, Amber Murad.

Democrat Janice Kovach won another term as mayor in Clinton Town, the only contested mayoral race in Hunterdon County. She outpolled Republican Martin Pendergast by a 2-to-1 margin.

Democrats maintained their momentum in Flemington, with Democrats Jessica Hand and Jeremy Long winning a close race. According to unofficial results, for the two three-year terms, Hand was top vote-getter with 370 and Long finished with 367. Republicans Marc Hain and Saundra Scott followed with 339 and 302 votes, respectively. Independents Al Brewer and Alexandra Shore got 213 and 178 votes, respectively. Republican Kimberly Tilly won the race for a one-year unexpired term by edging Democrat Jeffrey Doshna, 479 to 414, according to the unofficial results.

State Assembly

There are seven New Jersey Assembly districts in Somerset, Hunterdon and western Union counties; Somerset County alone contains six.

In District 16, which extends from Branchburg to Princeton and includes Flemington and South Brunswick. Republicans Mark Caliguire and Christine Madrid were unsuccessful in their battle to win back the two seats from Democrats Andrew Zwicker and Roy Freiman.

In District 15, which includes East Amwell, West Amwell and Lambertville, Democratic incumbents Verdina Reynolds-Jackson and Anthony Verrelli were successful in their re-election bids, defeating Republican Jennifer Williams and two candidates on the Legalize Marijuana Ticket, Edward "NJ Weedman" Forchion and Dioh Williams.

In District 17, which includes Franklin and Piscataway, Democrats Joseph Egan and Joseph Danielsen beat back challenges from Patricia Badovinac and Maria Concepion Powell.

In District 21, one of the more closely watched Assembly races in the state, incumbent Republicans Jon Bramnick and Nancy Nancy Munoz held on to defeat Democrats Lisa Mandelblatt and Stacey Gunderman and independents Harry Pappas and Martin Marks.

In District 22, which includes Plainfield, North Plainfield, Middlesex Borough and Linden, incumbent Democrats James Kennedy and Linda Carter defeated Republicans Mark Lighten and Patricia Quattrocchi.

In District 23, which extends from Bound Brook to Hackettstown and includes Bridgewater, Frenchtown and Clinton, Republican incumbents Erik Peterson and John Dimaio defeated Democrats Marisa Trofimov and Denise King.

School referendum

Voters in Flemington and Raritan Township approved both referendum questions to fund a $42 million project to upgrade the district's schools by improving their security, infrastructure and air quality.

The first referendum question passed 3,872 to 3,276 while the second question passed 3,657 to 3,396, according to unofficial results.

The referendum was divided into two parts – the first to renovate and upgrade Barley Sheaf Elementary, Copper Hill Elementary, Francis A. Desmares Elementary, Robert Hunter Elemenary, Reading Fleming Intermediate and J.P. Case Middle schools. The schools' security will be upgraded, the roofs will be replaced at five of the schools, the windows will be replaced at Robert Hunter and there will be various site improvements including parking lot, sidewalk and fencing upgrades. The cost is estimated to be $21.7 million.

The second part of the referendum will cover HVAC improvements, including air conditioning and humidity controls, at Barley Sheaf, Copper Hill, Francis Desmares, Reading Fleming and Robert Hunter. That work is budgeted at $20.3 million. In 2018, after a hot and humid summer, schools did not open on schedule because of mold and fungus caused by inadequate ventilation.

The school district is estimating that the state will cover about a third of cost — $14 million.

Staff Writer Mike Deak: 908-243-6607; mdeak@mycentraljersey.com