With about 50 percent of voters turning out in towns in the Indepen-dent’s coverage area, both political parties did well, win or lose.
The Republicans held tight in Middletown, retaining complete control over the municipal government, but for the second straight year, Democrats showed they could muster strong support.
Although they lost in Holmdel, the Democrats also got strong support, following up last year’s first party win in almost a generation.
While the Republican winners in those two towns were certainly happy, Democrats also had something to crow about.
That wasn’t the case in Keyport, where the Republicans upset the donkey cart, grabbing two more Borough Council seats and their first majority since the early 1990s.
There were no surprises in Aberdeen and Matawan.
Aberdeen Democrats won the mayor’s and two council seats, giving them complete municipal government control for at least two years until the next election. Matawan Republicans retained complete control, easily defeating their Democratic opponents.
Interestingly, the Aberdeen Democrats and Matawan Repub-licans share the same goals: revitalizing the area around the train station and working more closely with the regional school board.
Hazlet voters sent a mixed message, electing the incumbent Democratic mayor and last year’s Republican mayor. The Republicans are already calling for a recount based on the narrow loss of the second GOP candidate.
While the election turnout could have been better, those who went to the polls showed they are a lot more savvy than politicians give them credit for. Politicians better take note.