Election Certified In Summit: Republican Wins In Close Margin

SUMMIT, NJ — Union County has certified the votes for the 2022 general election, and Summit's Ward 1 race was incredibly close.

Republican candidate Delia Hamlet ousted Democrat Councilman Danny O'Sullivan by only 29 votes, according to official vote tallies from the Union County Board of Elections. Hamlet received a total of 2,220 votes (50.24 percent), whereas O'Sullivan received 2,191 votes (49.58 percent).

This is the first Republican victory in a Summit race since Steve Bowman defeated Greg Vartan by nine votes for a Ward 2 seat in 2016. Hamlet’s election drops the Democratic majority on the city council to 5-2.

In Ward 2, Republican Councilwoman Lisa Allen ran uncontested and received 2,650 votes to win re-election.

Councilman Danny O'Sullivan officially conceded on Nov. 16.

"It has been my honor to serve the residents of Summit for the last three years," O'Sullivan wrote on his Facebook campaign page.

"We have come through a free and fair election and Delia Hamlet has won the Ward 1 race. When one loses, one must concede. That is how elections are supposed to work. I’m disappointed in the result but I’m proud of my service and my reelection effort. A short while ago, I spoke with Ms Hamlet on the phone to congratulate her and wish her well on Council. I firmly believe that Summit’s best days are ahead of us and I will continue working in other ways to contribute to our city’s forward progress," he said.

Before the certification of the election, Hamlet shared her appreciation for the Summit community.

"... I’d like to again thank the Summit community for your enthusiasm and support through the entire campaign," Hamlet wrote. "This is a critical first step for a bipartisan and common sense approach and I look forward to working with all of you to continue to make Summit better."

"My campaign has always been about what is best for the community and I am excited to put our plans into action. I look forward to representing you each and every day," she said.

Hamlet also thanked O'Sullivan for his service and dedication to Summit.

The councilwoman-elect recently attended the 2022 New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference along with many other current council members.

"Delia Hamlet's victory is a byproduct of the countless hours she spent listening to voters ab out the qualities they love about Summit, as well as those that frustrate them about the direction of the City," Chair of the Summit Republican City Committee Nick Curiale said in a statement.

"Since courageously stepping up to the plate and declaring her candidacy, Delia has proven to voters that she can, and will, put partisan politics on the back burner to help move Summit forward. I have no doubt she will be an excellent Councilwoman that all Summit residents can be proud of," Curiale said.

Hamlet will be officially sworn in at a council meeting in January.

Here are the official results of other races affecting Summit at the national and county levels:

U.S. House of Representatives (NJ-07)

Tom Malinowski (D) - 142,590 (47.9%)
Thomas Kean, Jr. (R) - 155,059 (52.1%)

County Commissioners
Bette Jane Kowalski (D) - 86,342 (21.13%)
Rebecca L. Williams (D) - 85,801 (21%)
Sergio Granados (D) - 85,245 (20.86%)
Vincent Rettino (R) - 50,316 (12.31%)
Carmen Bucco (R) - 49,927 (12.22%)
Carlos Santos (R) - 50,234 (12.29%)

Union County Surrogate
Christopher Hudak (D) - 87,726 (64.07%)
Peter B. Lijoi (R) - 48,907 (35.72%)