Election Results: Chesters, Mendhams Local Races

MENDHAM, NJ — Residents in the Mendhams and the Chesters elected local officials, including a mayor, town councils, and school board members during this year's general election. The unofficial results are in, and are divided by town below.

Mendham Township

Township residents will vote for town committee in a contested race and local school board members in an uncontested race. As of 10:10 p.m., the unofficial results are in.

Republicans Sarah Neibart and Nick Monaghan have a lead in the race for Township council over Democrats Brenda Grant and Patricia O'Brien, and are projected to win. Neibart is an incumbent, and Monaghan is a newcomer. The unofficial vote tallies, with projected winners in bold, are:

• DEM - Brenda Grant 1,148
• DEM - Patricia OBrien 1,159
• REP - Sarah Neibart 1,368
  
• REP - Nick Monaghan 1,399

The vote for Mendham Township Board of Education remains too close to call for candidates running for three-year terms. As of 10:14 p.m., the results without mail in ballots are:

• Peter Dumovic 1,184
• Aadithya Thayyar 890
• Brian C. Baldwin 877

Joan Mody has been elected to the Board to serve the one year remaining on an unexpired term.

Mendham Borough

Mendham Borough is electing a mayor and two council members in contested races, and local school board members in uncontested races. As of 10:10 p.m., the unofficial results are in.

Republican Christine Serrano Glassner, a current council member, has been elected to serve as mayor over Democrat Mark Washburne. Glassner received 1,331 votes while Washburne received 831.

"I look forward to continuing the great legacy of Mayor Neil Henry as we move Mendham forward, keeping our taxes low, spending wisely, improving our infrastructure, modernizing our government, and—always—preserving the quality of life that we cherish," Serrano Glassner said. She also pledged to join with the Democratic challengers "to assure the best possible future for our community."

"Congratulations to Republican Mayor Elect Christine Chris Serrano Glassner and Republican Councilmen-Elect Steve Andrew and Brennan Reilly for a well deserved victory over the Democratic slate of Washburne, Montenegro and Berkinsky," outgoing Republican Mayor Neil Henry.

"We lost our race for mayor and council but our cause must go on to have more competitive elections and balanced representation in our Borough and throughout our county, state, and country. There will be other races and elections in the future (maybe not for me) but for other members of our team and we will do better. Thanks again for all your kind wishes and support!" Washburne said. He also said he emailed the mayor-elect to wish her well and offer his services "should she need it."

All four council candidates are newcomers: Democrats Laura Montenegro and Kristin Berkinsky, and Republicans Steven Andrew and Philip Reilly. According to unofficial results, which do not include mail-in ballots, the Republicans will win.

The unofficial vote results, with winners in bold, are:

• Laura Montenegro (D) 947
• Kristin Berkinsky (D) 892
• Steven J. Andrew (R) 1,224
  
• Phillip B. Reilly Third (R) 1,198

The following Board of Education candidates were elected, with just over 1,000 votes each

• 3 Year Terms: Sean Havey, Susan Beth Cocussa, Anne Marie Hornyak.
• 1 Year Unexpired Term: Catalina Wiatroski

Chester Township

There are two local elections in Chester Township this year: local school board and town council. All results are unofficial:

Local school board candidates Sarah Kalashian, Rajat Shah, Michael Tomasco ran uncontested. All three are projected to win.

Two Democrats and two Republicans are running for two seats on the town council: Democrats Andrew Verdiramo and Alexandra Halem, and Republicans Tim Drag and Brian Curley.

Republicans Drag and Curley are the unofficial winners over Democrats Verdiramo and Halem, with 100% of districts reporting.

"I’m truly humbled but also excited to continue working for all residents of our wonderful town. I look forward to working with fellow Councilman-Elect Brian Curley, Mayor Asdal and the rest of the Council as we work to improve Chester Township," Drag said.

"Congratulations to Councilmen-elect Tim Drag and Brian Curley. I look forward to serving Chester Township with you both next year. And sincere thanks to Andrew Verdiramo and Alex Halem for having the courage to run. It’s only when you count EVERYONE that we are Chester!" current councilman Mike Inganamort, who was not up for re-election this year, said.

The vote totals for Township Council, with winners in bold, are:

• Drag 2,037
  
• Curley 1,934
• Andrew J. Verdiramo, 1,125
• Alexandra J. Halem, 1,125

Drag has served on the Environmental Commission, the Black River Fields subcommittee, and the Citizens Advisory to the Planning Board; he is an insurance executive in New York. Curley has previously served on the planning board, is a ten-year member of the zoning board of adjustment, is active in his church community, and is a lawyer.

Chester Borough

Chester Borough is electing council, and local and regional school board members. None of the races are contested. All results are unofficial:

Donald Storms received 361 votes for West Morris Regional School Board, with 100 percent of districts reporting. He was running unopposed.

Local school board candidates Sarah Kalashian, Rajat Shah, Michael Tomasco ran uncontested. All three are projected to win.

All districts are reporting votes for Borough Council. Republicans Kyle Holman and Christoper Heil split the vote, with Holman taking 473 votes and Heil taking 463. Both will serve on the council.

Image via Shutterstock