South River voters oust incumbent Democrats for town council

SOUTH RIVER–With the stickers passed out and votes counted, residents of South River elected Republican candidates Raymond Eppinger and Peter Guindi to the Borough Council, replacing two incumbent Democrats.

Eppinger and Guindi recorded 2,068 and 2,077 votes, respectively, for the two, three-year terms on the council. Incumbent Democrats Shawn Haussermann and Ryan Jones collected 1,872 and 1,874 votes, respectively, according to the Middlesex County election results.

The results are not official until certified by the county.

“In a very blue state, it was rewarding to win both seats. Guindi and I worked hard trying to get out and meet as many residents as we could and learn what concerned them. We were very fortunate to have a very diverse group of people who helped us with the campaign,” Eppinger said. “A number of new ideas were brought forth and they seemed to work. I was surprised by the relatively large turnout. The campaign was an enjoyable experience [and] getting a chance to spend time and reconnect with Guindi was an extra added bonus.”

Eppinger is a former mayor. Guindi is a member of the South River Volunteer Fire Department.

“I am hoping that we can work together, regardless of party affiliation. One of our residents reminded me that we should not be just democrats and republicans but mostly South River [residents]. My priority will be infrastructure. South River is an older community and we need to address those types of issues first,” Eppinger said.

Haussermann is the current council president and Jones is a councilman.
“I am, of course, disappointed with the results of the election but I know that in the two years we had the majority we built a great foundation for the future of South River.
The Republican Party in town worked harder than they ever have to gain the majority back on the council and protect their majority on the Board of Education,” Haussermann said. “Even Mayor Krenzel was out on Sunday going door-to-door for their Board of Education ticket. Their efforts have given them complete control over the residents’ tax bills.”
Haussermann said, “In the past, this meant big increases in our tax and electric bills, but they have promised new ideas. We had many plans ready for 2019 and my hope is that they continue them to renew the downtown, lower taxes and electric bills and keep South River moving forward in the direction we set.”
Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].