Republican Evelyn Spann and Democrat Barbara Rogers have won two open seats on the Cranbury Township Committee.
Each seat is for a three-year term on the committee.
Currently on the township committee, Democrats hold a 4-1 majority. Spann and Rogers keep the majority the same after the general election on Nov. 5.
Spann received 686 votes and Rogers secured 624.
Democrat Eman El-Badawi finished with 583 votes and Republican Walter Wright recorded 544 votes.
The election results are unofficial until they are certified by the Mercer County clerk.
“I would like to thank the Cranbury residents who voted in this election and all the people who supported me in the campaign. Cranbury was fortunate to have four strong candidates to choose from. I am excited and honored to have the chance to serve on Cranbury’s Township Committee,” Rogers said in a statement. “I am eager to move from an advisory role as Chairperson of the Environmental Commission into a leadership and policy-making role as a Township Committee member.
She said she plans to work collaboratively with other committee members, township professionals and volunteers to get things done.
“Through my many years of volunteer work, I have developed a strong working relationship with township employees, board and commission members and Cranbury School staff. I look forward to forming municipal-volunteer partnerships to work on township initiatives for the benefit of all Cranbury residents,” Rogers said.
She explained that she hopes to build on the momentum of the current Township Committee by focusing on sound fiscal planning, sustainability efforts, and improved communication between the township government and residents.
“Campaigning is a humbling experience – you make mistakes. Your social media platforms get more attention than your family at times. To represent Cranbury is an incredible honor,” Spann said in a statement. “I spent a lot of time during my campaign knocking on doors and getting connected or reconnected to the amazing residents of Cranbury. Our conversations encouraged and inspired me. I shifted from wanting to win this race as a next step for me personally to feeling a sense of attachment to the people I spoke with and the need to represent them.”
She said she is looking forward to working with Barbara Rodgers and the township committee.
“The committee has already individually reached out to welcome me to the team,” Spann said. “I have a nearly endless list of people that I need and will eventually thank for helping with the campaign, but I want to extend my gratitude to Walter Wright who ran with me every step of the way. I would not have gotten elected without his wisdom, guidance and support. During the process, Walter and I transitioned from two people on a mission to ignite Cranbury, to becoming the best of friends. He has made an impression on me that will last a lifetime.”
Prior to the general election, both Spann and Rogers stated their reasons for running.
“With my PhD in environmental science and over two decades of volunteer commitment to Cranbury, becoming a member of the township committee is a natural progression for my community involvement,” Rogers said. “I will bring that training and experience, as well as my unique perspective, to everyday township committee discussions and decisions. I will work collaboratively with other committee members and township professionals and volunteers to get things done.”
Spann explained that it was her turn to step in and protect Cranbury’s quality of life.
“Years of hard work by so many members of our community have protected our town from over growth and increased taxes. I respect and appreciate what the township committee, and many other related boards, have done for decades to insure the quality of life we all moved here for,” Spann said. “I am committed to stepping in and taking my turn to assure Cranbury is a place our children would want to raise their children in some day.”