EDISON — It was a Democratic sweep again at township polls Nov. 3.
Democrats Michael Lombardi, Robert Karabinchak, Leonard Sendelsky and Ajay Patil bested Republican counterparts Wayne Mascola, Michael Orlowski, Gaetano Gaspari and Ashok Nayee for the four available Township Council seats.
Incumbents Lombardi and Karabinchak received the most votes, at 5,856 and 5,849, respectively, according to unofficial results from Middlesex County.
Democrats have had control of the council for two decades.
Campaign Chairman Anthony Russomanno said the Democrats had the right message for voters.
“Our Township Council candidates won because they worked hard and they ran a smart campaign. They addressed the issues that are most important to Edison residents — stabilizing municipal taxes, improving public safety and enhancing quality of life,” he said. “Our candidates proposed practical solutions to help make Edison a better place to live and work. Their message clearly resonated with a majority of local voters.”
Mascola received 3,743 votes — the most for a Republican — but fell 1,534 short of Patil, who had the lowest total among the Democrats.
Mascola, who sits on the council as a Democrat but opted to run as a Republican after being snubbed by the party, had a different take on the outcome.
“I thought it was a good and clean race, and with the low turnout I think the Republican challengers did a great job considering the Dems outspent us,” he said. “I think they spent $33 per vote and we spent $2, and I won in seven districts.”
Mascola added that he does not interpret the results as tacit approval of township Democrats.
“I think the residents will be watching every move the administration and council does — especially the taxes, and with so many union contracts up, it is going to be very interesting,” he said.
Mascola said this wouldn’t be the end of the political road for him — or other township Republicans, for that matter.
“So we will regroup and plan for the next election in two years,” he said.
The Board of Education race was much closer. Nine candidates vied for three openings.
Securing the most votes, at 3,302, was Deborah Anes, the only incumbent running.
“I am grateful to the residents of Edison, who recognize my dedication and commitment by electing me to another term on the Board of Education,” Anes said of her win.
Also gaining a seat were RaIph Errico, who received 2,625 votes, and Shivi Prasad-Madhukar, with 2,587 — just 70 more votes than William Araujo, who led the list of the defeated.
Coming in behind him in the tally were Deborah Schildkraut (2,071 votes) and Dennis Pipala (1,959), who both ran with Anes, Richard Brescher (1,946), Hollie Gilroy (1,473) and Kiel Thoms (821).