SOUTH AMBOY — For Mayor Fred Henry, a 1,097-vote margin of victory sounded a whole lot better than one or three.
Those last two numbers were the margins by which Henry won the last mayoral election four years ago and this year’s Democratic primary in June, respectively. Henry ran unopposed in the Nov. 4 general election, although there were 66 write-in votes.
“My victory total is a little more than last time,” Henry joked, adding that this year’s election process has been “a long haul.”
Henry, the incumbent, was not the party’s selection for the ballot this year — that went to John O’Connell, and the primary campaign proved even more divisive within the party when the incumbents seeking re-election to City Council — Mickey Gross and Christine Noble — campaigned with O’Connell.
“It’s a big relief, no doubt about that,” Henry said.
This will be the first election in four years that is not anticipated to be contested in the courts. The last mayoral election, which pitted Henry against independent Mary O’Connor, lasted more than a year.
Henry said he feels that the last mayoral election and the June primary have shown residents why it is always important to cast a ballot.
“I really think that people realize that their vote does mean something,” he said, adding that from the perspective of a former history teacher, he also feels strongly that people should vote no matter what candidate they support.
“If you don’t exercise [your right], you might lose it,” he said.
With the election over, Henry said he feels that the tension that resulted from the selection process before the primary is lessening.
The entire council, along with Henry, is Democratic.
Henry, who noted that he is “the one who got dumped” by the party last spring, said the future of his relationship with party Chairman and former Mayor Jack O’Leary is uncertain.
As for the council results, Noble received 1,034 votes and Gross drew 929, both running unopposed. There were 37 write-in votes.
During the Nov. 5 City Council business meeting, Councilwoman Zusette Dato congratulated all the winners.
“We’re all pleased that the day is over,” she said of Election Day.
Noble said she was happy with the outcome, adding that the election process went smoothly.
Both Noble and Gross pointed to their plans to continue working for the benefit of South Amboy.
“We all love the city,” Gross said.