By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
For the first time since 2010, a Democrat will be sitting on the dais – as one of five Township Committee members – when the currently all-Republican governing body reorganizes in January.
That’s because Democratic Party candidate Sadaf Jaffer edged past Republican Party candidate David Cheskis to capture the lone available seat on Township Committee. Jaffer earned 3,218 votes to Cheskis’ 3,002 votes in the Nov. 7 general election.
Cheskis, who is the Planning Board chairman, was chosen to run on the Republican Party ticket when Township Committeeman Richard Smith declined to seek re-election to another three-year term.
The Democratic Party controlled Township Committee from 2002 to 2009. The last Democrats to serve on Township Committee were Louise Wilson and Brad Fay.
Since 2010, Township Committee has been controlled 5-0 by the Republican Party. The Republicans will hold a 4-1 majority when Jaffer is sworn into office in January.
Although Cheskis lost the election, Mayor Ed Trzaska said he is “really proud” of Cheskis. Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, the Republican Party candidate for governor, lost Montgomery Township by about 800 votes, but Cheskis was able to win back hundreds of votes and only lost by about 200 votes, the mayor said.
“This is a testament to the quality of (Cheskis’) campaign and vision for out town,” Mayor Trzaska said. “David was the top-performing Republican, but unfortunately, (Lt. Gov. Guadagno)’s deficit was just too large. As the saying goes, the top of the ballot greatly impacts the bottom.”
Mayor Trzaska offered his congratulations to Jaffer and welcomed her to Township Committee. He said that he is certain that Jaffer will do a “great job” and help move the community forward. It’s always exciting to have a new colleague to work with, he added.
Meanwhile, Jaffer thanked the voters for giving her the opportunity to serve on Township Committee, and also thanked her supporters who “knocked on doors, hosted meetings, made phone calls and attended events during the past year.”
Jaffer said that her election marks the end of one-party rule on Township Committee. Diverse perspectives are needed for meaningful discourse, she said, adding that “better solutions” to the challenges facing the community can be found through fair-minded debate.
“We made it our goal to encourage Montgomery residents to pay attention to local governance. I pledge to keep this momentum going and to foster even greater civic engagement in Montgomery Township,” Jaffer said.
