The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
(Updated as of 11:38 p.m. November 19.)
Democratic Township Council incumbents won re-election, and the “Choose All Three” Board of Education slate swept their race in the November 4 general election.
In other races, Franklin-based Democratic candidates for Somerset County Sheriff, Somerset County Surrogate, and the state Assembly’s 17th Legislative District also retained their seats.
Final vote tallies are now official and were certified by Somerset County Clerk Steve Peter on November 19.
In the Township Council ward races, results are:
- Ward 1: Democratic Ed Potosnak with 3,866 votes, Republican Christopher Lezny with 1,265 votes.
- Ward 2: Democrat Shepa Uddin with 4,054 votes, Republican Jan Brant with 2,277 votes.
- Ward 3: Democrat Charles Onyejiaka with 3,498 votes, Republican Sophia Georges with 1,438 votes.
- Ward 4: Democrat Carl Wright with 3,624 votes, Republican Benjamin Guy with 789 votes.
- Ward 5: Democrat James Vassanella ran unopposed; he garnered 3,408 votes.
In the school board race, results show that Jennifer Welch led all candidates with 13,766 votes. Her running mates Clara Wilson and Meher Rafiq garnered 13,270 votes and 12,058 votes, respectively.
The “Choose All Three” slate was endorsed by Nancy LaCorte, Ardamon Singh, and Walter Jackson, the current school board members who last ran under that banner, and who chose not to seek re-election.
Catherine Barrier earned 8,350 votes, while her running mates on the “Moral, Thoughtful Education” slate, Nita Villuri received 6,987 votes, and Martin Czebotar earned 6,187 votes.
Vassanella said that he appreciates “the support from the voters and the confidence they’ve put in me.”
“It’s been a big night for Democrats, nationally and statewide, but my focus, as it always has been and will continue to be, will be to serve the people of the Fifth Ward, the place I’ve called home my entire life, and I look so forward to serving the constituents and doing everything I can to make a better quality of life for them,” he said.
Wright said that he has been “in sync” with his constituents, and “I plan on staying in sync with everyone.”
Onyejiaka said that he was happy that he and his running mates could “share the dividend of progress.”
Uddin said voters want to know that their representatives are listening to them.
“When I’ve gone out canvassing, it was more for me not even canvassing, it was more understanding what their needs were, what are they looking for,” she said. “We’re not all perfect, but we’re there to build that team, work with our residents, and continue looking for that feedback.”
Potosnak said that he was “overjoyed with the support I received from voters for my reelection, and appreciate the work of our volunteers to share our record of honest leadership and commitment to continuing the progress on behalf of every resident of Franklin Township.”
“I’m going to fight the proposed unneeded dangerous Williams Transco pipeline compressor station project, preserve our open spaces and enhance our parks, ensure our paving projects keep up with the infrastructure needs, and the most importantly keep municipal spending in check,” he said.
In the Somerset County Sheriff race, results show Franklin resident and Democratic incumbent Darrin Russo received 80,547 votes, while his Republican challenger, Michael Manochio, received 54,872 votes.
In the Somerset County Surrogate race, results show that Democratic incumbent and Franklin resident Bernice “Tina” Jalloh received 78,048 votes, while her Republican challenger, Chris Corsini, received 55,814 votes.
In the state Legislative District 17 race, unofficial results show that Democratic incumbent and Franklin Resident Joe Danielsen garnered 44,012 votes, while his running mate, Kevin Egan, received 44,758 votes. Their challengers, Republicans Patricia Badovinac and Susan Hucko, received 14,179 votes and 14,068 votes, respectively.
In Franklin, Danielsen received 7,991 votes, Egan received 8,047 votes, Hucko received 2,932 votes, and Badovinac received 2,952 votes.
“We worked hard for the right reasons, at the right time, for the right people,” Danielsen said. “We want to send a message to the rest of the country: from Franklin Township to the White House, no kings.”
“This is a tidal wave victory for the Democrats,” he said.
Welch said that she hopes she and her running mates “get to do great things for the kids.”
“We complement each other really well and our skills complement each other,” she said.
“This has been an incredible, fun journey,” Rafiq said.
“I first want to thank the community,” she said. “My parents who have instilled on me the idea of if you want to see a change, you go do it. And I’m looking forward to working with the current board.”
Wilson said she was “so exhilarated and look forward to continue moving the district in a positive direction.”
“As this was my first time running for public office, I learned so much about the campaign and election process,” she said. “I’m grateful to my amazing running mates, Meher Rafiq and Jennifer Welch. I definitely could not have pulled this off without such wonderful teammates. My favorite part about campaigning was having candid conversations regarding our education system, which I hope to have many more of in the future.”
In the governor’s race, unofficial results show that Franklin voters overwhelmingly supported the eventual victor, Democrat Mikie Sherrill, over Republican Jack Ciattarelli. Sherrill received 8,297 votes, while Ciattarelli received 3,244 votes.
Editor’s Note: Check back often, as we will be updating the vote tallies as they become available.
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