OLD BRIDGE — Republican candidates for township office are expected to meet this week with party Chairman Art Haney to discuss ways of moving forward after the contentious primary election.
“The primary is like any election,” Haney said. “Once it is over, it is time for all of us to sit back and take a look at what is needed to be done.”
Haney said he thinks each candidate is genuinely interested in moving the township forward.
“We will come together and, if we agree to move forward as a team, we will,” he said.
In the June 2 Republican primary, four candidates were seeking voters’ support to run for three seats on the Township Council. Republican voters cast the most ballots for longtime party stalwart Anita Greenberg- Belli, who drew 1,154 votes. Incumbent Councilwoman-at-Large Eleanor “Debbie” Walker received 865 votes, and incumbent Councilman-at-Large Brian Cahill received 834 votes.
Incumbent Councilman-at-Large James Anderson failed to secure a spot on the party line for the November election, garnering 748 votes.
Greenberg-Belli, Walker and Cahill will run on the GOP ticket with incumbent Mayor Owen Henry, who is seeking a second term. Henry did not face a primary challenge.
The Old Bridge Democratic Committee’s uncontested primary slate will advance to the November ballot. Bill Cerra, a retired township police captain, heads the Democratic ticket as candidate for mayor. The ticket includes council candidates Tom Galante, Jack Gillick and Deborah Marquez.
“It’s kind of bittersweet,” Cahill, who is seeking his third term, said the day after the primary race. “I feel vindicated of what had happened during the screening process; however, I feel that it is unfortunate that Councilman Anderson is not on the ticket with me, because he worked very hard.”
In March, the Old Bridge Republican Committee held candidate screenings, selecting Walker, Anderson and Greenberg- Belli to be on the local Republican ticket for council. Cahill did not receive enough committee votes.
The county party chairman set aside the local committee’s vote, placing Cahill’s name on the county party’s ticket and removing Walker, whose name appeared on the primary ballot under the Old Bridge Republican Party line.
Walker said she is thankful to the Old Bridge residents who came out to support her.
“I will continue to track the financial stability in the township as well as the concerns raised by residents,” she said.
Greenberg-Belli, former Old Bridge Republican chairwoman, said she is thankful for the Old Bridge residents who came out to support her and Walker, her running mate.
“The public made their decision, and we look forward to a positive fall election,” she said.
Cahill said as they move forward, every party member has the responsibility to serve the residents of Old Bridge and do what is right for the township.
Anderson, who was seeking his second term, said at the end of the day the candidates have to respect the voters’ decisions. He said he does not have plans to run for office again.