Showdown Set For Passaic Sheriff's Race In November, Unofficial Results Show

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — Two political newcomers look set to run for Passaic County Sheriff this November, with Thomas Adamo declaring victory in the Democratic primary on Tuesday night.

"We did it," he posted to his Facebook page just after 10:30 p.m. on Election Day, as incoming vote returns showed him extending his lead over Jerry Speziale Jr., who served as county sheriff from 2001 to 2010.

The lone Republican candidate on the ballot, Prosecutor's Office detective Marla Saracino, will become the first woman to run for sheriff in Passaic County.

Adamo and his three party-endorsed candidates for county commissioner look to be the victors in Tuesday's primary for the Democrats, according to unofficial election results posted on the Passaic County Clerk's site.

As of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, with 99.65 percent of voter districts reported and some mail-in ballots still to be counted. Adamo has more than 3,400 votes over Speziale.

The former sheriff had criticized Adamo heavily for switching parties in February so he could run on the Democratic ticket, and the two traded barbs in the press and on social media throughout the campaign.

Speziale had indicated that the race looked too close to call at around 10 p.m. Tuesday, and had not made a public statement by mid-morning on Wednesday.

Adamo later posted a longer message, thanking his supporters, campaign volunteers, and his family and friends.

"Today the people of Passaic County spoke, "he said. "They told us they weren't interested in unwarranted smear campaigns and that integrity matters. Today they chose to move Passaic County forward."

Incumbent commissioners Sandi Lazzara (13,971 votes) and John Bartlett (12,584 votes), along with educator Rodney DeVore (11,855 votes), were leading Speziale's running mates in unofficial results. DeVore had about 1,200 more votes than Sean C. Duffy, the top vote-getter on Speziale's ticket.

In November, DeVore will be looking to unseat Republican commissioner Nicolino Gallo, who has two running mates; all were unopposed int the GOP primary.

Here are the latest unofficial results; the clerk's website was last updated at 11:44 p.m. Tuesday.

Passaic County Sheriff (vote for one)

Democrat

• Thomas Adamo: 13,402 votes/56.96 percent
• Jerry Speziale Jr.: 9,960 votes/42.33 percent
• Write-in: 168 votes/0.71 percent

Republican

• Marla Saracino: 12,494 votes/98.01 percent
• Write-in: 254 votes/1.99 percent

Passaic County Commissioners (vote for three)

Democrat

• John Bartlett (inc.): 12,584 votes/19.37 percent
• Rodney A. DeVore: 11,885 votes/18.30 percent
• Sean Duffy: 10,669 votes/16.43 percent
• Cassandra Lazzara (inc.): 13,971 votes/21.51 percent
• Pedro Liranzo: 7,840 votes/12.07 percent
• Derya Taskin: 7,647 votes/11.77 percent
• Write-in: 359 votes/0.55 percent

Republican

• William Cytowicz: 12,392 votes/33.12 percent
• Nicolino Gallo (inc.): 12,614 votes/33.72 percent
• Assad Mujtaba: 12,164 votes/32.51 percent
• Write-in: 242 votes/0.65 percent