James T. Phillips* (D) OLD BRIDGE – Democratic incumbents took the majority of the seats up for grabs in Tuesday’s election.
Mayor Jim Phillips won his second four-year term, and Township Council members Patrick Gillespie and Ed Testino were both re-elected.
However, one Republican did win a seat, beating out the only nonincumbent member of “Team Old Bridge,” the Democrats’ campaign name.
“I never take anything for granted, so I was very pleased with the results,” Phillips said. “When you get a victory that size … it makes you think at least people know you’re trying to do a good job. It’s kind of a confirmation.”
Phillips received 5,031 votes, while his challengers, Republican Councilman Richard Greene and independent Matt Sulikowski received 3,978 and 1,197 votes, respectively. The contest mirrored the 2003 race, when Phillips defeated Greene, as well as an independent candidate for mayor.
Gillespie, currently the council president, won his second four-year term, with 4,829 votes, and Ed Testino was elected to his fourth. Testino garnered one more vote than Gillespie, with 4,830.
Brian J. Cahill (R) Republican newcomer Brian Cahill, who was defeated by a narrow margin in the 2005 council race, won the third available council seat, with 4,980 votes.
Democrat newcomer Joe Pruiti was unsuccessful in his first bid for council, receiving 4,780.
The two other Republican candidates, Owen Henry and Solon Fotis, trailed in the race with 4,718 and 4,533 votes, respectively.
“I’m just so happy that the residents gave me the opportunity to serve as a councilman,” Cahill said. “I’m hopeful that I’ll make them proud.”
Cahill said two of his priorities are to control overdevelopment and be fiscally responsible in terms of taxes, in order to fulfill his promises to voters.
Gillespie congratulated Cahill and his other opponents, but suggested that Cahill’s win stemmed from larger issues in the state.
“I think there was a significant voter turnout that was motivated by an anti-tax message,” Gillespie said. “I think there was a generic, Republican anti-tax vote that came out. There was a certain sector of the electorate out there that was angry, and they came out and
Patrick Gillespie* (D) voted.”
He attributed his claims to tax issues throughout New Jersey, as well as the defeat of ballot questions that sought to borrow money for stem-cell research, and dedicate funds from sales taxes to bring property tax relief.
Gillespie said members of “Team Old Bridge” would continue toward their overall objectives of fighting overdevelopment, preserving open space and keeping the police force at full strength in order to ensure
public safety.
“Obviously, we’ve always tried to look out for the taxpayers and do our best, and maintain a stable tax rate,” Gillespie said. “We’re going to finish a lot of the work that we started.”
Greene, who could not be reached for comment by press time yesterday, will continue to serve on the council, as his term runs through Dec. 31, 2009.
The Township Council will reorganize Jan. 1, and will then consist of three Republicans and six Democrats.
 Edward Testino* (D) |