Parsippany Mayor’s Recount Request Canned By Judge

PARSIPPANY, NJ — A request by incumbent Republican Mayor James Barberio for a recount of Parsippany’s mayoral election has been denied, according to court documents.

In a dramatic race, ratified election results show that Democratic newcomer Pulkit Desai had beaten Barberio after a historic comeback, thanks to provisional ballot counts.

The official results show Desai with an 80-vote lead ahead of Desai. Even if all 60 write-in votes supported Barberio, he would still be behind by 20 votes.

See Related: Parsippany Mayoral Race Swing: Here’s What Happened

On Monday, Barberio and his attorneys requested a recount, specifically citing that at least four Parsippany voters had voted twice, once by mail-in, and once by provisional ballot, according to court documents.

Barberio’s request for a recount and recheck of the election results was dismissed by Judge Jennifer McAndrew Vuotto without prejudice, meaning the motion could be filed again.

As it stands, Desai joins council running mates Diya Patel and Matt Kavanagh in victory. Desai, a Marine combat veteran, would become Parsippany’s first-ever Indian mayor. It also gives Democrats a 3-2 majority on the council.

Additionally, Patel is poised to be the first Gen Z Indian-American to serve on Parsippany’s council.

“After months of hard work, conversations at doors, and countless community moments, I’m incredibly proud and humbled to share that we won this mayoral election,” Desai posted on Facebook. “Together, we made history, Parsippany has elected its first Indian Mayor. This milestone belongs not just to me, but to every person who believes in opportunity, representation, and the promise of our town’s diversity.”