Democrats keep freeholders, but GOP makes solid gains

Democrats maintained their grip on a pair of governing bodies in Union County yesterday even as Republicans gained political ground across the county.

Republican and independent challengers didn't capture enough votes to penetrate the county's freeholder board, dominated by Democrats for more than a decade. County residents gave incumbent freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Deborah Scanlon another term, while Mohamed S. Jalloh, a Democrat, clinched the other open seat vacated by four-term Freeholder Chester Holmes, who announced his retirement last March.

In Union Township, Mayor Anthony Terrezza, a Democrat, secured another term on the township's committee, along with running mate Manuel Figueiredo. Charles Donnelly and Paul Verzosa, the Republican challengers, were defeated.

But in many of the county's townships and boroughs, Republicans swept into office, in some cases ousting Democratic incumbents. In Kenilworth, Democrats failed to clinch seats on the all-Republican council.

Borough residents handed incumbents Salvatore Candarella and Fred Pugliese three more years over the Democratic challengers, Ronald Knecht and Darrin McMahon.

In Fanwood, residents selected Republican challengers, Robert Manduca and Mike L. Szuch, as the borough's newest councilman. Donna Dolce and David Valian, both incumbents Democrats, were defeated.

In Berkeley Heights, voters pushed Democratic incumbent Thomas Battaglia out of office. Residents chose Republican candidates, Craig Pastore and Kevin Hall, over Battaglia and Murray Robbins, also a Democrat.

Springfield residents also voted for GOP candidates. Republicans Jerry Fernandez and Marc Krauss defeated David Barnett and Richard Huber, both Democrats.

Gina Bellitti, 43, and her mother, Jacqueline, both said they voted for Fernandez and Krauss.

The younger Bellitti said corruption and wasting real estate tax dollars were the most critical issues for her.

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