Editor’s Note: The results of the Nov. 2 General Election reflect what was posted online by the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office as of press time on Nov. 5.
The results of the election will remain unofficial until they are certified.
For updates, visit www.centraljersey.com and read next week’s newspaper.
Edison Mayoral Race
In Edison, the four-year term for mayor seemingly goes to Democrat Samip “Sam” Joshi, who received 11,439 votes on Election Day.
Republican Keith Hahn received 9,671votes.
Christo Makropoulos received 314 votes.
There were 31 write-in votes.
“Thank you to all my friends, family and supporters for making this election possible,” Joshi said. “I pledge to be a mayor for all of Edison and will work hard every single day to address and solve the issues we’re faced with.
“Mayor [Thomas] Lankey and I have spoke regarding our transition and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
“I want to also thank Mr. Hahn for reaching out. I look forward to having the community come together as one as we move forward to a united Edison,” he said.
Lankey withdrew his name from the ballot, running as an Independent, prior to Election Day.
Edison Township Council
There were elections for three, four-year seats on the municipal governing body for Edison.
The candidates include all newcomers: Democratic candidates Margot Harris, Nishith Patel and John Poyner, and Republican candidates R. Tali Epstein, Joe Luistro and Payal Mehta.
As of press time, the Democratic slate – Harris, with 11,559 votes, Poyner, with 11,080 votes and Patel, with 11,060 votes – leads the Republican slate – Luistro, with 9,213 votes, Epstein, with 8,943 votes, and Mehta, with 8,920 votes.
There were 45 write-in votes.
Edison Board of Education
There were elections for three, three-year terms available on the Edison Board of Education.
The candidates on the ballot include incumbents Elizabeth Conway, who is seeking her second term, and Biral Patel, who is seeking his first elected term.
Former board member Ralph Errico, who stepped down on Dec. 31, 2020, is seeking a comeback.
They are joined by newcomers Padmaja (Paddy) Chinta, Gabriel Haller, Vimal A. Parikh, Brian Rivera, Douglas Schneider and David Tingle.
As of press time, Schneider, with 6,581 votes, Patel, with 6,573 votes, and Rivera, with 5,974 votes, were in the lead.
Tingle followed with 4,406 votes, Conway was next with 4,177 votes, Chinta received 4,151 votes, Parikh received 3,831 votes, Haller received 2,797 votes and Errico garnered 2,303 votes.
There were 99 write-in votes.
Ballot question in Edison regarding
Open Space Trust Fund
A ballot question asked voters if they wanted to reinstate the Edison Open Space Trust Fund.
As of press time on Nov. 4, there were 10,663 “yes” votes and 8,332 “no” votes.
The Open Space Trust Fund would enable the township to dedicate one cent per $100 of assessed value toward open space improvements. The average home is assessed for $180,600. The average homeowner would pay $18.06 per year.
Heller industrial Park would pay $15,000 per year. The top 20 taxpayers would pay a total of $115,000 per year, officials said.
Metuchen Borough Council
There were elections for two, three-year terms on the municipal governing body for Metuchen.
The candidates are Democrats Jason Delia, an incumbent, and newcomer Joel W. Branch; and Republican newcomers Stephen Kitsko and Eric Lignell.
As of press time, the Democratic candidates – Delia, with 2,932 votes, and Branch, with 2,853 votes – led Republican candidates Kitsko, with 1,751 votes, and Lignell, with 1,710 votes.
There were 12 write-in votes.
Metuchen Board of Education
There were elections for three, three-year terms on the Metuchen Board of Education.
Incumbents Michele C. Cook, Chris Derflinger and newcomer Deborah M. Spigner are running on the Advocating for All ticket, while newcomer Christina Orozco is running on the Educator Transparent Collaborator ticket.
As of press time, Cook, with 2,186 votes, Spigner, with 2,149 votes, and Derflinger, with 2,125 votes, were in the lead.
Orozco received 1,434 votes.
There were 65 write-in votes.
Woodbridge Township Council
There were elections for the five, four-year ward seats on the municipal governing body for Woodbridge Township.
Ward 1 – The candidates are Democratic incumbent Nancy Bader-Drumm and Republican candidate John Vrtaric.
As of press time, Bader-Drumm, with 2,489 votes, led Vrtaric, with 1,965 votes. There were nine write-in votes.
Ward 2 – The candidates are Democratic incumbent Harold “Howie” R. Bauer Jr. and Republican candidate Paul Lund Jr.
Bauer, with 2,253 votes, led Lund Jr., with 1,489 votes. There were four write-in votes.
Ward 3: The candidates are Democratic incumbent Cory S. Spillar and Republican candidate John Masculin.
Spillar, with 2,333 votes, led Masculin, with 1,381 votes. There were eight write-in votes.
Ward 4 – Democratic incumbent Virbhadra “Viru” Patel did not face any challengers. He received 2,662 votes. There were 49 write-in votes.
Ward 5 – The candidates are Democratic incumbent Debbie Meehan and Republican candidate Rocco Genova.
Meehan, with 3,321 votes, led Genova, with 2,259 votes. There were three write-in votes.
Woodbridge Board of Education
There were elections for three, three-year seats on the Woodbridge Board of Education.
The candidates include incumbents Susan Bourdin and Daniel Harris; and newcomers Amber Jarrett, Thomas E. Maras and Jenny Perez.
As of press time, Harris, with 8,204 votes, Perez, with 7,282 votes, and Bourdin, with 7,202 votes, were in the lead. The three candidates ran on the Best Schools Around ticket.
Jarret followed with 5,968 votes, and Maras received 5,804 votes.
There were 208 write-in votes.