Dems Maintain Control in Middlesex County Races

Despite concerns of a GOP revival on the strength of Gov. Chris Christie's coattails in Tuesday's general election, the Democratic Party was able to maintain its hold on Middlesex County.

In the race for the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, incumbent Democrats Blanquita B. Valenti and Kenneth Armwood, along with Democratic challenger Charles Kenny, won three year terms over Republican opponents Roger Daley, Robert "Bob" Jones, and Jordan Rickards.

Valenti was the top vote getter at 79,197, Kenny finished with 78,900 and Armwood finished with 78,099. On the GOP side, Daley finished with 69,160 votes, Jones finished with 67,026 and Rickards finished with 64,344 votes in the losing effort.

Valenti, a former New Brunswick councilwoman, won her fourth term as a freeholder. Armwood, a former President of the Piscataway Township Council, was elected to serve his first full term on the board. He was tabbed in March to replace former Freeholder Director Christopher Rafano, who resigned to become a Superior Court judge.

Kenny, the current Council President in Woodbridge, won the seat vacated by Stephen “Pete” Dalina, who chose to retire instead of seeking another three-year term.

In the race for Middlesex County Sheriff, incumbent Democrat Mildred Scott was elected to a second three-year term over Republican Jose A. Martinez, a member of the Latino Leadership Alliance.

Scott finished with 81,129 votes, while Martinez received 69,067 votes.

Voter turnout in Middlesex came in with about 37 percent of registered voters casting ballots in the election. Results are unofficial until certified by the Middlesex County Clerk.