MARLBORO – Incumbent Democrats Jeff Cantor, Carol Mazzola and Scott Metzger were re-elected to four-year terms on the Marlboro Township Council on Election Day, Nov. 7.
According to election results posted by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, Cantor received 5,906 votes, Metzger received 5,698 votes and Mazzola received 5,549 votes.
The Democrats outpolled a trio of Republicans. Derek DeLuca received 4,368 votes, Patricia Branch received 4,222 votes and John Dwyer received 4,220 votes.
The election results are unofficial until they are certified by county officials.
“On behalf of Scott Metzger, Carol Mazzola and myself, we truly thank all of the residents who came out to show their support for us,” Cantor said. “We will continue to work hard for you and appreciate that you continue to put your trust in all of us.
“We want to take a moment to thank John Dwyer, Derek DeLuca and Patricia Branch for stepping up to run for public office. They ran a clean and worthy campaign and kept it civil, which is what we need to see more often in politics. We look forward to getting back to work and putting our residents first,” Cantor said.
“I would like the residents of Marlboro to know how grateful I am for their trust and confidence in Jeff, Scott and myself,” Mazzola said. “Along with council members Randi Marder and Mike Scalea, we will continue to work hard to serve the people of Marlboro. I would also like to thank Mayor Jon Hornik, Lynn Franco and the administration for their continued efforts on behalf of the town.”
Following the election, Dwyer said, “As the Marlboro Republican chairman and on behalf of my fellow candidates, Derek DeLuca and Patricia Branch, we would like to congratulate Jeff Cantor, Carol Mazzola and Scott Metzger on their victory.
“Now that the campaign is over, it is our hope they continue to stay visible and open to listening to the great people who call Marlboro their home.
“I would also like to thank my running mates who are not only incredibly hard workers, but truly decent, thoughtful and genuinely kind people. It was an honor to walk side by side with people who are so passionate about the Marlboro community. We stand ready to help this administration keep Marlboro a great place to live,” Dwyer said.
As has been the case in recent elections in Marlboro, Cantor, Mazzola and Metzger appeared to be the beneficiaries of a decision by hundreds of voters who cast their ballots for Republicans in races at the top of the ticket, but shifted to vote for Democrats in the municipal election.
The race for governor pitted Republican Kim Guadagno against Democrat Phil Murphy. In Marlboro, Guadagno received 5,678 votes and Murphy (who won the four-year term) received 4,875 votes.
The race for the state Senate seat in the 13th District pitted Republican Declan O’Scanlon (who won the election) against Democrat Sean Byrnes. In Marlboro, O’Scanlon received 5,274 votes and Byrnes received 4,824 votes. The Senate term is for four years.
The race for two seats in the state Assembly in the 13th District pitted Republicans Amy Handlin and Serena DiMaso against Democrats Thomas Giaimo and Mariel DiDato.
In Marlboro, Handlin received 5,302 votes and DiMaso received 5,007 votes; Giaimo received 4,694 votes and DiDato received 4,661 votes.
Handlin was re-elected to the Assembly and DiMaso, who is currently serving as a Monmouth County freeholder, was elected to her first term in the Assembly. An Assembly term is for two years.