Except for Millstone, there were few surprises in last week’s political races in Examiner towns.
The Republicans won easily in Upper Freehold, continuing the all-Republican Township Committee tradition. The Democratic candidate did collect 398 votes, compared to 1,052 and 1,065 for the two Republicans. The odd vote count suggests die-hard Democrats only voted for one candidate.
In Allentown, the all-Republican Borough Council tradition will also continue next year. In that little borough, though, the Democrats gave the Republicans a good run for their money, and, based on post-election interviews, the Republicans enjoyed the lively competition.
Democratic candidate Stephanie Smith has indicated she will run again, so be prepared for another lively political season next fall.
Roosevelt, which unlike its larger Republican-controlled neighbors, has a strong Democratic Party. The Democrats snapped up three seats, one uncontested, guaranteeing an all-Democratic Borough Council next year.
Millstone had a very unusual race, with the Republican candidate also running as a Millstone Coalition candidate and the independent candidate running as an independent Republican.
The independent won by a small margin, but win he did, indicating that voters are ready for change and tired of having their municipal government manipulated by a political action committee.
It’s important now that the four committee members who supported the losing candidate make a concerted effort to work with the committeeman-elect, remembering that the voters have spoken and the majority supported his platform.