Herald News Election Blog

A huge step forward

HALEDON - Marc Battle, the first black councilman in the borough, said he was amazed by the news that Barack Obama had become the first black president.

"I think this is an incredible night for the country, for the world," said Battle, a Democratic councilman who was reelected to a three year term Tuesday. "Our nation has taken a huge step forward that many people believed they wouldn't see in their lifetime."

Battle said that Obama will serve as a living example that anything is possible.

--Heather Kays

Recount?

HAWTHORNE - Democratic Councilman Joseph Wojtecki said he was going to wait until the provisional ballots were counted to decide if he was going to ask for a recount.

As of Tuesday night, Wojtecki lost to Republican Acting Mayor Richard Goldberg by 130 votes.

Wojtecki said it is unclear how many provisional ballots had been cast and that poll workers were reporting higher numbers than usual.

Wojtecki said he was waiting at borough hall for final results late Tuesday night to make sure that no one would be sworn in Wednesday morning.

--Heather Kays

In case you didn't catch it

Television networks are calling the election for Barack Obama. The New York Times is being a bit more cautious.

- Sarah Schillaci

Update from 'Woodland Park'

Voters approved a referendum to change the name of West Paterson to Woodland Park by a margin of just 33 votes, according to preliminary results Tuesday night. The results include absentee ballots but do not include 65 provisional ballots that were cast during the day Tuesday.

 

Name Change from West Paterson to Woodland Park

YES 2,099

NO 2,066

Also, Woodland Park (does it feel weird yet?) chose to stick with their old mayor, Pat Lepore.

Pat Lepore - 3,283
Steve Fazio - 2,113

- Heather Appel and Sarah Schillaci

Unofficial Haledon council results

Amaf Jarkasi - 677

Danny Shakoj - 737

Heather Kilminster - 1,440

Marc Battle - 1,453

Hilton Gonzalez - 261

- Sarah Schillaci

Democrats prevail in freeholder race

About 85 percent of precincts are reporting in the Passaic County Freeholder election, and Democrats Greyson Hannigan and Bruce James appear to have retained their seats.

From the Passaic County Clerk:

Republican Jerry Holt - 53,381 - 20.74%
Republican Michael Marrota - 55,541 - 21.58%
Democrat Greyson Hannigan - 73,775 - 28.66%
Democrat Bruce James - 28.97- 28.97%

- Sarah Schillaci

Blanco, LaBoy win in Passaic

In what was arguably the most highly-contested local race in Passaic County, Alex Blanco and Angel LaBoy have been elected as mayor and councilman in Passaic.

The breakdown:

Alex Blanco - 3,872 votes
Vinny Capuana - 3,395 votes
Jose Sandoval - 2,681 votes
Joe Garcia - 2,626
Carl Ellen - 1,052

Council
Angel LaBoy 2,707
Kenneth Lucianin - 2,669
Jeffrey Dye - 1,934
Giovanni Regalado - 1,409
Luis Santiago - 1,174
Diomedes Minaya - 666

- Sarah Schillaci

Obama wins in Passaic County, too

The Associated Press is now reporting that Barack Obama, in addition to capturing New Jersey, has also claimed a win in Passaic County.

The unofficial results are 70,684 votes for Obama and 57,759 votes for Sen. John McCain.

- Sarah Schillaci

Lautenberg stays put; Jersey opts for Obama

The Associated Press is reporting that Sen. Frank Lautenberg has been elected to his fifth term, making him the first five-term senator from New Jersey.

Lautenberg, 84, would be 90 years old by the time his term ended.

In national news, Sen. Barack Obama has swept to a New Jersey victory and captured the Garden State's 15 electoral votes.

- Sarah Schillaci

Little Falls mayor and council results

Mayor
Michael DiFrancisci - 2,345
John Agostinelli - 2,290
James Gallagher - 537

Council
Joseph Sisco - 2,849
Louis Fontana - 2,482
Diane Murphy - 2,378
Patricia Montalto - 2,334

- Sarah Schillaci