Stephens Defeats Scoca-DelMauro in Surrogate Race

Democrat Theodore "Ted" Stephens II was elected Essex County Surrogate Tuesday night defeating Republican challenger Annette Scoca-DelMauro.

With 91% of the precincts reporting, Stephens received 46,710 votes, or 70% of the votes cast to Scoca-DelMauro's 19,162 votes, or 29% of the votes cast.

Stephens will replace Essex County Surrogate Joseph P. Brennan Jr. who decided not to seek re-election.

"I want to thank the voters of Essex County for the confidence they have shown in me," Stephens said Tuesday night, "and I will strive to fulfill that trust."

Scoca-DelMauro offered her congratulations to Stephens and wished him luck in his new job.

She also said "Essex County is a Democratic County and it's hard if you're a Republican."

"I campaigned hard," Scoca-DelMauro said, "but it was the people's choice."

The surrogate is responsible for resolving all matters in a will after a person's death. A surrogate operates in a surrogate court, also known as a probate court.

Stephens will take office on Jan. 1, 2012.

Essex County Surrogate*

* 91.4% of votes counted