See Who's Running For Wayne Mayor, Council In June Primary

WAYNE, NJ — Wayne Township residents will head to the polls this November to elect three Township Council members and a candidate for mayor.

The deadline to file to run in the June 10 primary was this week. There will be a contested race among Democratic candidates for mayor to see who will face Republican Chris Vergano as he seeks a fifth term in office: Current Board of Education president Donald Pavlak Jr., who is is endorsed by the Wayne Democratic Club; and longtime resident and attorney James Freeswick, who has run for mayor several times in the past.

The three Township Council seats on the ballot are at-large, meaning they represent the township as a whole. Two current Republican members are not running for re-election, while Democratic 5th Ward councilwoman Francine Ritter is running for an at-large seat this year.

Here is the full list of candidates for the June 10 primary.

Republican Party

Mayor

• Christopher P. Vergano (incumbent)

Council-At-Large

• Jason DeStefano (incumbent)
• Donald DeDio Jr.
• Frank Pietropalo

Democratic Party

Mayor

• Donald R. Pavlak Jr.
• James R. Freeswick

Council-At-Large

• Francine Ritter
• Dylan J. Orren-King
• Corey Tyrone McKinney

Related article — Wayne Mayor Challenged By School Board President In 2025 Election