With tears in his eyes, Mayor Sal Bonaccorso (R) thanked his supporters at a post-results gathering at Bistro 1051 after the numbers once again turned out in his favor. Bonaccorso won the mayoral race with 61 percent of the vote, besting challenger Councilman Rich Kazanowski (D). Reelected to council with Bonaccorso are two teammates who have served alongside him since he was first elected in 2000, Councilman Al Barr and Councilwoman Angel Albanese, plus newcomer Bill Smith. Bonaccorso, now elected for his fourth consecutive term as mayor, got choked up as he told the crowd a story about an …

It was the Democrats who pulled off a win again this year in Garwood. Democratic candidates Bill Nierstedt and Ann Palmer beat incumbent Tim Hak and newcomer Mike Martin for three-year terms on borough council. This win changes the voting makeup of council from a 50/50 split of Democrats and Republicans to a Democratic majority. "I'm happy our efforts paid off and I'm proud of the great team behind us," Palmer told Patch. "We knocked on almost every door, we listened to residents' concerns, and I'm eager to get started in January. I'm just excited to do some good work for Garwood." "A …

With only two candidates for three available seats on the Garwood Board of Education, Amanda Langston has won herself a spot with 40 write-in votes. Langston's closest challenger, David Murphy, received 24 write-in votes, while 23 other residents received just one or two write-in votes for the seat. Uncontested incumbents Adele Lewis and Barbara Greet will keep their seats for another three-year term. Election results: Dist. 1 Dist. 2 Dist. 3 Dist. 4 TOTAL Adele Lewis 147 215 154 136 652 Barbara Greet 135 220 168 132 655 Amanda Langston 3 15 18 4 40 David Murphy 5 8 8 3 24 Other write-in …

There were few surprises as the results were tallied in the race for three seats on the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in which the Democratic party once again swept the GOP. Six candidates were competing for three openings on the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders including: Democrats Alexander Mirabella of Fanwood, who  currently serves as chairman of the Freeholder Board; Mohamed S. Jalloh, of Roselle who is finishing up his first term and Bruce H. Bergen of Springfield, who joined the Democratic ticket this year. Republicans challengers included Diane Barabas of Westfield…

Republican Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) will be heading back to Washington to begin his third term after defeating Democratic challenger Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula. Lance won 58 percent of the vote, with Chivukula capturing just 39 percent. Many believed the race was Lance's to lose, as the 7th Congressional district spans a largely Republican territory that includes Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties as well as parts of Morris.  Throughout his campaign, Lance stressed the need for reform to President Barack Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He has …

Democratic newcomers Bill Nierstedt and Ann Palmer have beat the Republicans,  incumbent Tim Hak and newcomer Mike Martin, in the race for two borough council seats in Garwood. Official results and reactions from the candidates will be posted here shortly. Dist. 1 Dist. 2 Dist. 3 Dist. 4 TOTAL Timothy Hak (R) 182 257 178 136 753 Mike Martin (R) 181 251 178 121 731 Bill Nierstedt (D) 239 315 201 141 896 Ann Palmer (D) 229 290 187 143 849

Mayor Sal Bonaccorso (R) has won his fourth term as mayor tonight in Clark, beating Democratic challenger, Councilman Richard Kazanowski. The rest of the Republican ticket has also won their races - incumbents Councilwoman Angel Albanese and Councilman Al Barr plus newcomer Bill Smith beating Democratic newcomers Michael Altmann, Phil Laskowski and Michelle Novak. Official results and reactions from the candidates will be posted here shortly. MAYORAL RACE WARD 1 WARD 2 WARD 3 WARD 4 TOTAL% Sal Bonaccorso (R) 1109 912 888 1141 405061% Richard Kazanowski (D) 623 600 773 570 256639% COUNCIL …

Six candidates are competing for three openings on the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The Board is comprised of nine members who are elected to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats coming up for election each year. The Freeholder Board sets policies for the operation of the County, while day-to-day operations is supervised by an appointed County Manager. Three Republicans, none of whom have previously held an elected office, are hoping to shake up a Board that has been made up of Democrats for decades. Up for election today: Alexander Mirabella, of …

RACES In Clark, residents will vote in the mayoral race between three-term incumbent Sal Bonaccorso and Councilman Richard Kazanowski. Three council seats are also up for grabs, with six candidates vying for them. Clark residents will also elect three school board members from four candidates. In Garwood, residents will vote for two council seats out of four candidates and for three school board members. Only two candidates will appear on the school board ballot. CANDIDATES CLARK MAYOR - four-year term Mayor Sal Bonaccorso, Republican incumbent for mayor Councilman Richard Kazanowski, …