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SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Easy victory for Democratic incumbents

By Charles W. Kim and Nicole Cosentino, Packet Media Group
   Incumbent Councilmen Joe Camarota, Charles Carley and newcomer Jo Hochman easily took on a Democratic primary challenge from former mayor Debra Johnson and Shilpn Patel Tuesday.
   Mr. Camarota won 1,310 votes followed by Ms. Hochman with 1,306 votes and Mr. Carley garnered 1,216 votes in a victory for the slate in the election.
   Ms. Johnson received 591 votes and Mr. Patel won 369 votes, according to unofficial results posted on the Middlesex County Board of Elections website.
   The results are not official until certified by the county, according to officials.
   ”It made me smile deep inside,” said Ms. Hochman, a first time candidate. “I am really humbled. I asked for (the town’s) support, and they gave it.”
   Ms. Hochman came in first in vote totals in several districts, outpacing the two incumbents and even in the former mayor’s home district.
   Ms. Hochman thanked the efforts of her running mates and the guidance they gave her throughout the campaign.
   ”They helped me every step of the way,” Ms. Hochman said.
   Mr. Carley attributed the 2-1 margin of victory to the well-organized party in the community.
   ”We get challenged all the time,” Mr. Carley said during the candidates’ celebration at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9111 on Henderson Road Tuesday night.
   ”We expect to win and we will continue to win,” Mr. Carley said.
   While admittedly disappointed in the outcome, Ms. Johnson and Mr. Patel both said they would endorse and support the Democratic ticket in the November general election.
   ”It is certainly a better ticket than what the Republicans are offering,” Ms. Johnson said after she and Mr. Patel congratulated the winning slate at the VFW hall.
   Mr. Patel said his first foray as a candidate was a great experience and hopes to serve the community even more as time goes on.
   ”In the end, as long as some of the changes we were advocating for get done, we all won,” Mr. Patel said.
   The three candidates will face incumbent Republican Councilman John O’Sullivan and challengers Michael Kushwara and Paul Saltin in that general election.
   According to the Township Clerk’s Office, 2,329 of the community’s more than 24,000 registered voters turned out to cast ballots Tuesday.
   Despite the light turnout, those leaving the polls said they were passionate about voting in the primary.
   ”I consider voting a real “rush,” Kendall Park resident David Morgan, 63, said. “I can’t help but think of places where going to the polls puts your life in danger.”
   Mr. Morgan, who said he regularly votes in primaries, brought his wife, Carol, 64, to vote in her first primary.
   Both said they were voting for the incumbent Democrats and Ms. Hochman.
   ”I felt the challengers to the incumbents were not who I wanted to see in office,” Ms. Morgan said.
   Mr. Morgan said he was especially supportive of Mr. Camarota because of interactions he had with the councilman.
   ”He did the bread and butter aspects of politics you don’t see anymore,” Mr. Morgan said.
   Both also said they felt the town was being well run and that the incumbents on the council were “doing a good job.”
   Old Road resident Dorothy Stevens, 80, also said she came out to support the incumbent slate of candidates.
   As a former poll worker, Ms. Stevens noted how slow the turnout was during the afternoon.
   ”The amount of people (voting) is less at this period of time (during the day),” Ms. Stevens said. I’ve never seen (the polls) this quiet.”
   One of the top issues of concern to Ms. Stevens is the growing developments near her home on Old Road, including the Toll Brothers Princeton Manor development.
   ”They are building again,” Ms. Stevens said.
   Not everyone voting Tuesday cast a Democratic ballot. Republicans Kelly and Mike Sanfedele came out to the polls to set an example for their 7-year-old son and cast their ballots for the GOP candidates.
   ”It is important to show young people that you have the right, as Americans, to vote,” Ms. Sanfedele said. “You need to exercise that right.”