The Edison Democratic Organization is under new leadership for the first time in more than three decades.
Keith Hahn, a township police officer, won the office of Democratic Party chairman by two votes at last week’s election meeting at the Pines Manor. Hahn, who replaces longtime Chairman Dr. Thomas “Doc” Paterniti, received two more votes than the township’s constituent relations administrator, Anthony Russomanno.
There were initially three contestants in the race. Township Council President Robert Diehl had been running, but announced before the vote that he was throwing his support behind Hahn. Diehl said he thought Hahn was the right person to unite an organization that has seen infighting over the years and turnover in the mayor’s position. He said he thought the organization would likely stay its current course if Russomanno won.
“I was probably more surprised than anybody in the room,” Hahn said of Diehl’s decision. “He had given no indication that he was going to do that.”
The result was 66 votes for Hahn and 64 for Russomanno. Hahn had run for the office twice before without success. Hahn said his first priority is the November council election and the associated fundraising.
“I’m happy with the outcome,” Diehl said, adding that he felt he had to be practical about his chances of winning the majority. “I think that it’s necessary that the organization moves forward. It needs a change.”
Diehl said he hopes the executive board and members of the party will be included in more decisions.
“It was done a certain way by a couple of people for a real long period of time,” he said.
Diehl said he wants to work with Hahn to improve communication and transparency within the party.
“It’s about open, honest government — good communication,” he said.
Hahn said he’s happy that Paterniti told him he will support him in his new role.
“He’s been a gentleman about the whole thing,” he said.
Paterniti, who announced his retirement earlier this year, said all of the candidates worked hard in vying for the chairman role. He said he is supportive of the new leadership and agrees with Hahn that the focus now is on getting the Democratic slate elected in November.
“We’re all working together,” he said.