By Kaitlyn Kanzler, Special Writer
CRANBURY — The voters have spoken and Democratic Township Committeemen Jay Taylor and Mayor David Cook have another three years to get things done on the governing body.
The incumbents beat out Republican challengers Tom Connolly and Cindy Smithers to maintain their current seats on the committee.
According to the unofficial results from the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office, Mr. Cook received 1,269 votes and Mr. Taylor garnered 1,100 votes.
Ms. Smithers got 716 votes and Mr. Connolly took 685 votes, according to the clerk’s office.
There are 2,833 registered voters in Cranbury and according to the unofficial results, 1,834 came out to vote, which is 64.7 percent of the township.
”There’s a lot of change and I’m looking forward to being a part of making Cranbury better,” Mayor Cook said. “I’m glad to have more time.”
According to Mayor Cook, the committee has several capital expenditure and infrastructure projects they would like to see through including the bridge and dam project.
”I’m happy to have three more years to spend more time on all of it,” Mayor Cook said, after the unofficial results were announced on Nov. 6.
”I can’t be anymore ecstatic with the results,” Mr. Taylor said. “I thought it was really nice the way the Cranbury voters voted.”
Mr. Taylor switched from a Republican to a Democrat earlier this year.
”I think this demonstrates that Cranbury really does vote for the individual, not for the affiliation of the party,” Mr. Taylor said.
According to Mr. Taylor, he thought Ms. Smithers ran an excellent campaign and liked Mr. Connolly’s enthusiasm throughout the race.
”It’s been a long year,” Phylissanne Stehn, the Cranbury Republican Committee chairwoman said. “I was grateful to have Mr. Connolly and Ms. Smithers step up to the plate to run under the Republican line.”
According to Mr. Taylor, he recommended that Mr. Connolly put his name for one of the many boards in town.
”I would be interested in serving on a township board, subcommittee or commission and would be willing to work with the township committee members to find solutions to problems facing fellow (Cranbury residents),” Mr. Connolly said.
According to both Mr. Connolly and Ms. Smithers, it is too early to know whether or not they will run again for the committee, but it is not out of the question.
”Anything’s possible,” Ms. Smithers said.
According to Ms. Smithers, she had a great time on the campaign and had some great supporters.
”I thought it was a great experience, so I can only learn from it,” Ms. Smithers said.
According to Mr. Connolly, he believes that running for office proved to him that belief that Cranbury is a great place to live and raise a family.
”We have a unique quality of life in Cranbury and it’s the residents of town that make it such a wonderful place to live,” Mr. Connolly said.
”I am confident both Jay and Dave have the best interest of Cranbury at heart,” Mr. Connolly said. “I look forward to helping serve Cranbury in some capacity in the future.”
The number of absentee ballots was unavailable according to township clerk Kathleen Cunningham. Provisional ballot results were also unavailable as of Tuesday night.
According to Ms. Cunningham, she was unable to reach the county’s election office all day. All results are unofficial until confirmed by Middlesex County’s Election Office.
Any residents that were displaced by last week’s super storm Sandy were given the opportunity to vote through email or fax.
