By Ruth Luse, Managing Editor
LAMBERTVILLE: What was expected to be a lackluster primary election on June 7 got interesting after the polls closed that night.
In Lambertville, where two City Council seats (three-year terms) will be filled in November, incumbent Democrats Elaine Warner and Beth Asaro — who had thought they would be running unopposed in the general election — will be facing challenges, instead. They received 91 and 93 votes respectively on June 7,
Two Republicans received enough write-in votes June 7 to challenge Ms. Warner, of Elm Street, and Ms. Asaro, of Delaware Avenue.
According to Mary H. Melfi, Hunterdon County clerk, Daniel Marley, of South Union Street, got nine votes. Stephen Robbins, of South Franklin Street, got seven votes. They have decided to seek election to the two open seats in November.
In West Amwell, a Democratic write-in candidate received enough votes to challenge the Republican incumbent in West Amwell.
However, Vince Ranieri, who received four write-in votes (one more than he needed to get his name on the November ballot) from Democrats on June 7, has decided not to accept the challenge, according to Ms. Melfi.
Thus, Thomas Molnar, of Goat Hill Road, incumbent committeeman and township mayor, will not face a challenge in November. On primary day, he received 95 votes.
Mr. Molnar served on the committee from 2004 to 2006. He won election again in 2008.
In Stockton, incumbents Neal Esposito and Kathryn Steffanelli — both Democtats — will face no opposition in November for three-year terms on the Borough Council.
Mr. Esposito, of Stockton-Sergeantsville Road, received 21 votes.
Ms. Steffanelli, of Mill Street, received 15 votes.
Mr. Esposito was elected to the council in 2002. He also previously served on the governing body for 13 years.
Ms. Steffanelli won her first term on the council in November 2008.
