Incumbent retains seat by a scant 40 votes over Republican Ed Sherman
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
MONTGOMERY Democrat Karen Wintress was re-elected in a close race Tuesday, squeaking past Republican Ed Sherman by just 40 votes.
Fifty-eight percent of the township’s 11,659 registered voters showed up at the polls on Election Day, casting 3,402 votes for Ms. Wintress and 3,362 for Mr. Sherman. The results include absentee votes, but not provisional ballots.
Turnout was down from 2004 a presidential election year that saw 84 percent of the township’s registered voters cast their ballots.
In a continuing trend, township voters a majority of whom lean Republican are breaking with their party when choosing local leaders. With the win, the Township Committee will retain its 4-1 Democratic majority.
Ms. Wintress, who is deputy mayor, said she is "delighted" to have the opportunity to serve another term. "There is a lot more to do," she said.
Mr. Sherman, although admitting a tinge of disappointment, said he was not upset or sad about the loss. "I know you’re not supposed to feel good when you lose, but tonight I feel good," he said. "I felt like I ran a great campaign."
Mr. Sherman cited the strength of the local Democrats as the reason for his defeat. "It’s not one against one," Mr. Sherman said. "It’s one against four and that’s the way it should be. The Democrats work great together as a team."
According to Ms. Wintress, the performance of her party over the past few years likely played a role in the election outcome. "We have a strong record over the last four years," she said. "We get a message out that is positive. And I think we’re responsive to questions and suggestions."
Other Democratic Township Committee members expressed both relief and excitement over Ms. Wintress’s victory.
"Karen has done an outstanding job," said Mayor Louise Wilson, Ms. Wintress’s campaign chair. "I think over the next three years, she’ll work as hard as she ever has."
Committeewoman Cecilia Birge said, "I think people recognize the value that Karen brings to the team."
Both Republicans and Democrats acknowledged the vigor of the campaign. Ms. Wintress said it was significantly more intense than past campaigns in which she has been involved.
Committeeman John Warms, a Democrat, said the challenge of the race made it a satisfying win for his party.
"At the end (of the campaign), there were things that were done that were a little bit questionable and a bit personal, but Karen came through," he said.
Mr. Sherman said the intensity of the campaign caught him by surprise. But, he added, "We kept up with it we did better than keep up with it. We came up against a very strongly entrenched team and lost by just 40 votes."
Mr. Sherman said he was satisfied with the way he ran the campaign. "I don’t know what else I could have done," he said. "I can’t think of a single thing more that I could have done."
Despite the loss, "I think I proved I could run a campaign," Mr. Sherman said. Mr. Sherman said it was too early to determine if he would make another bid for public office.
In the race for governor, Montgomery residents were in line with the majority of Somerset County voters, casting 3,611 votes for Republican Doug Forrester. Statewide, Mr. Forrester lost to Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine, who received 3,046 votes in Montgomery. The township experienced a 5 percent increase in voter turnout since the last gubernatorial race in 2001, when 53 percent of registered voters visited the polls.
In the 16th Assembly District race, township voters supported Republicans Christopher "Kip" Bateman and Pete Biondi, who defeated Democrats Michael Goldberg and Charles Eader.
Republican incumbents Peter Palmer and Bob Zaborowski were re-elected to serve on the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, defeating their Democratic opponents, James K. Foohey and Brian Regan.
Montgomery voters, like voters statewide, supported both public questions. In addition, the township supported the county open-space referendum, which was affirmed countywide by more than 15,000 votes.

