It was a fairly quiet primary night in Union County, but there are some results to report.
First, Leonard Lance prevailed over Republican challenger David Larsen in a clear victory in the 7th U.S. Congressional district race. Read the full story .
In the presidential Republican primary, Union County residents chose Mitt Romney. With 99% of Union County polls counted, Romney leads with 81%, with Ron Paul garnering 9%, Rick Santorum 7% and Newt Gingrich 3%.
Statewide, with 92% of the polls counted, Republican voters have cast 82% of their votes for Mitt Romney, 10% for Ron Paul, 5% for Rick Santorum and 3% for Newt Gingrich.
Results were not being reported in the Democratic presidential primary as Barack Obama is running unopposed.
New Jersey State Senator Joseph Kyrillos (R-13th Legislative District) won his bid to vie for a U.S. Senate seat handily. With 93% of the total vote counted, Kyrillos was in the lead with 77%. David Brown followed at 9%, Rudy Rullo at 8% and Bader Quarmout at 6%.
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez won the Democratic primary and released a statement which read, in part:
“I am honored and excited to be the Democratic candidate for the United States Senate seat from New Jersey. Although I may have been unopposed in today’s Democratic primary Senate race, I thank every voter who came out to vote today and granted me their vote in support.
“I congratulate State Senator Joe Kyrillos on winning his primary race and look forward to a campaign that will focus on and discuss the differences between us in an honorable way.”
Kyrillos was less galant in his victory remarks, saying that "Washington is broken" and calling Menendez "a mediocre Senator." Kyrillos continued:
"Our nation's economy is struggling. It's gotten worse since Senator Menendez went to Washington. Our unemployment rate, our soaring national debt, our out-of-control spending—these are all getting worse because of policies that Senator Menendez supports.
"It is time for New Jersey to expect—to demand—more from our leaders. That's what we've been getting here at home. We are leading this state back from the brink—our strong governor, Governor Chis Christie—is leading the way. Rebranding New Jersey—lowering our taxes, reforming our pension system, welcoming job creators back to our state. Our whole state is moving forward."
Freeholders
In both the Democratic and Republican primaries, three Union County freeholder seats are up for election. The three candidates for each party ran unopposed. Democrats Alexander Mirabella, Mohamed S. Jalloh and Bruce H. Bergen will run this fall against Republicans Diane Barabas, Stephen Kozlovich and Krzysztof Chris T. Nowak.
Cranford
In Cranford, Scott Mease won his uncontested race in the Republian primary for Township Committee. Thomas H. Hannen Jr. is the Democratic nominee for the Township Committee position in Cranford. The voter turnout in Cranford was 9.7%.
Springfield
In Springfield, have won the Democratic nomination for Township Committee, besting challenger Bart Fraenkel.
Scotch Plains
In Scotch Plains, former Mayor Nancy Malool received 24 percent of the Republican vote despite having announced her decision to withdraw from the race to over a month ago.
In the final tally for the SP republican primary, Mary DePaola received 516 votes with 76 percent of the vote. Nancy Malool received 159 votes with 24 percent of the vote.
New Providence
Alan G. Lesnewich, who is seeking reelection for the unexpired term he has filled since January of 2011, received 486 votes. Gary Kapner, who took over the reins of the family business ) along with his wife, Rachel, fifteen years ago and has become very visible within the work streams that are guiding the business and economic growth of New Providence, received 469 votes.
Mountainside
William R. Lane, a resident of Mountainside since 1995 and a councilman for eleven years, received 351 votes, or 50.87 percent of the vote.
Robert W. Messler, who has lived in Mountainside since 1970 and has served as a councilman for eight years, received 339 votes, or 49.13 percent of the vote.
Berkeley Heights
Craig S. Pastore, who is the current Council Vice President and running for his second term on council, received 566 votes, or 49.65 percent of the vote.
Council President Kevin Hall, who is running for his second term on council, received 570 votes, or 50 percent of the vote.
Democrat Michael Simon, who is seeking his first term on Council, received 167 votes, or 88.36 percent of the total vote. He is a former Assistant US Attorney with the Department of Homeland Security, who is now in private practice. There were 22 “personal choice” votes, or 11.64 percent of the vote.
