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HAMILTON: Republicans sweep local election

Incumbent mayoral, council candidates re-elected

by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
HAMILTON — Republican incumbent Mayor Kelly A. Yaede and a slate of four incumbents Republican members of Township Council were re-elected Nov. 5.
   Mayor-elect Yaede was challenged by Democrat Barbara Plumeri and Antonio Gambino, an independent candidate.
   Preliminary unofficial results from the county clerk’s office had Mayor Yaede boasting nearly 60 percent of the vote with 15,268. Ms. Plumeri and Mr. Gambino garnered 9,621 and 852 votes, respectively.
   Democrats Dan Keelan, Nina Melker and Joe Santo unsuccesfully challenged incumbent Republicans Edward Gore, Dennis Pone and David Kenny.
   In addition, Republican Councilwoman Ileana Schirmer, who was appointed to the Township Council last year, was victorious over by Democrat Tennille McCoy for the remainder of the two-year unexpired term.
   Council races were tighter with Mr. Gore, Mr. Pone, Mr. Kenny and Ms. Schirmer receiving 12,624, 12,882, 13,021 and 12,442 votes while Mr. Keelan, Mr. Santo, Ms. Melker and Ms. McCoy garnering 10,557, 11,094, 10,979 and 10,919, respectively.
   Mayor Yaede said she was “deeply humbled” by what she termed as a “vote of confidence” from township residents.
   ”This is a mandate,” she said. “This is a mandate that they want good government that watches spending, stabilizes taxes.
   ”The next term is looking for making government even more efficient, looking at ways to continue to stabilize taxes and even improving services and keeping Hamilton a great place to live, work and play,” she added.
   In her concession speech, Ms. Plumeri said despite the loss, the campaign brought several important issues to the forefront in the township.
   ”This was a loss, but actually was a gain,” she said. “What we gained was a conversation that we raised. We brought about conversation that some people in this township were listening to.”
   She attributed the results in part due to Gov. Chris Christie running at the top of the Republican ticket, as well as a contentious race in the 14th Legislative District.
   ”This was a battle,” she said. “We fought a good fight and there’s something to be proud of about that.”
   Reached by phone, Mr. Gambino said he was “shocked” by the results, but also felt his campaign brought up important issues.
   ”I think we ran a very tough campaign,” he said. “I’m kind of shocked with the results.”
   As he had last week, Mr. Gambino lamented the impact he believes was caused by his name appearing in fourth column of ballots while his opponents were in the first two.
   He said he is “mulling” whether to take formal action due to his placement, which he previously alleged was due to fears he would take votes away from the other candidates, particularly from Ms. Plumeri.
   County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello denied that politics played a role in the ballot placement, saying her consistent practice has been to not place independent candidates in a column consisting of national party. A public drawing to determine ballot placement was held in August.
   Also on this year’s ballot were three, three-year terms to the Hamilton Township Board of Education.
   Incumbent Dina Thornton along challengers Pamela A. Kelly with Anthony Celentano won seats receiving 7,463, 7,333, 5,810 votes.
   The other candidates Jeff Hewitson, current board president and challengers Greg Schultz and Vincent McKelvey received 4,885, 5,668 and 5,252, respectively.