2023 Essex County Election Results: Commissioners, Surrogate (UPDATED)

This article was updated at 9:49 a.m. on Nov. 9

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — New Jersey voters cast ballots in races across the state on Tuesday, including contests for the Essex County Board of Commissioners and the Essex County Surrogate’s Office. Polling places closed at 8 p.m.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Want to get local election results sent to your inbox? Sign up for free Patch email newsletters here.

COMMISSIONER BOARD

Terms on the Essex County Board of County Commissioners last for three years. Learn more about the duties and powers of the board here.

Four at-large seats on the board were up for grabs in 2023.

The Democratic Party candidates were incumbents Patricia Sebold, Brendan Gill, Romaine Graham and Wayne Richardson. The Republican Party candidates were challengers Joseph Cifelli, Alexandra Campisi, Aristotle Popolizio and Michael Pocelinko.

With 98.08 percent of districts reported, the four Democratic candidates hold wide leads over their Republican challengers. Here are the uncertified results as per the Essex County Clerk's Office (four open seats):

• Patricia Sebold – 61,952 votes (18.89%)
• Brendan Gill – 61,665 votes (18.80%)
• Romaine Graham – 60,759 votes (18.52%)
• Wayne Richardson – 60,966 votes (18.59%)
• Joseph Cifelli – 21,193 votes (6.46%)
• Alexandra Campisi – 21,031 votes (6.41%)
• Aristotle Popolizio – 20,294 votes (6.19%)
• Michael Pocelinko – 20,144 votes (6.14%)

In addition, Essex County residents got to vote for a commissioner board member in the county district where they live. Here are the latest uncertified results from the Essex County Clerks' Office (one open seat in each district):

District 1: Newark (North Ward, East Ward, and parts of Central, South and West Wards)

• Robert Mercado (Democrat) – unopposed
• No Republican candidate

District 2: Newark (parts of South and Central Wards), Irvington, Maplewood (99.1% of districts reported)

• A’Dorian Murray-Thomas (Democrat) – 10,942 votes (91.27%)
• Khalil Kettles (Independent) - 1,047 votes (8.73%)

District 3: Newark (part of West Ward), East Orange, Orange, South Orange

• Tyshammie Cooper (Democrat) – unopposed
• No Republican candidate

District 4: Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Millburn, North Caldwell, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange (98.5% of districts reported)

• Leonard Luciano (Democrat) – 17,781 votes (57.88%)
• Adam Kraemer (Republican) – 12,941 votes (42.12%)

District 5: Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair, Nutley (96.9% of districts reported)

• Carlos Pomares (Democrat) – 15,690 votes (74.49%)
• Kristen Bloschak (Republican) – 5,372 votes (25.51%)

SURROGATE OFFICE

Essex County residents also got a chance to vote for a county surrogate. Learn more about the duties and powers of the surrogate's office here.

The Democratic Party candidate was incumbent Alturrick Kenney. The Republican Party candidate was challenger Peter Russo.

With 98.08 percent of districts reported, Kenney has a wide lead over Russo. Here the uncertified results as per the Essex County Clerk's Office (one open seat):

• Alturrick Kenney – 61,970 votes (73.87%)
• Peter Russo – 21,922 votes (26.13%)

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.