Dems Sweep South Brunswick Council Election; BOE Race Down to Wire
Incumbent Democrats Joseph Camarota and Charles Carley, along with newcomer Josephine "Jo" Hochman elected to South Brunswick Township Council
The results are in on Election Day and South Brunswick is returning to an all Democratic Township Council.
Incumbent Democratic Councilmen Joseph Camarota and Charles Carley, along with running mate Josephine "Jo" Hochman were elected to three open seats on the Township Council. They defeated incumbent Republican Councilman John O'Sullivan, along with challengers Michael Kushwara and Paul Saltin.
The South Brunswick Board of Education race was a tight one, as incumbent Board President Stephen Parker and Peter St. Vincent jumped ahead for two of three open seats, while incumbent Barry Nathanson and challenger Azra Baig went down to the wire for the third open seat. Early unofficial results had Baig beating Nathanson, but after absentee votes were tallied, Nathanson scored a tight victory for the final seat.
These results are not final as this race may not be settled for several days until provisional ballots are sorted out, according to the township clerk.
The final district in South Brunswick didn't report results until after 10 p.m. on a busy election day.
Despte the damage of Hurricane Sandy, there was only one change in polling locations for Election Day. Residents who usually voted at Brunswick Acres Elementary School had to cast their ballots at Greenbrook Elementary School.
Township officials reported strong turnout at the polls, as police said there was a significant crowd waiting to vote at South Brunswick High School around 11 a.m.
As polls closed at 8 p.m., the township clerk's office reported over 100 people still waiting on line to vote at Crossroads South Middle School, marking a busy day at the polls in South Brunswick.
This article was updated at 12 a.m. to reflect absentee ballots for Council and Board of Education elections.
Here's how South Brunswick voted in the major elections (results are unofficial until certified by the county clerk and final numbers may vary based on provisional ballots):
President
| Barack Obama | 10,485 |
| Mitt Romney | 5,772 |
Incumbent Democratic councilmen Joseph Camarota and Charles Carley, along with running mate Josephine "Jo" Hochman faced incumbent Republican Councilman John O'Sullivan, along with running mates Michael Kushwara and Paul Saltin for three open seats.
| Democrats | Results | Republicans | Results |
| Joseph Camarota | 9,875 | Michael Kushwara | 5,195 |
| Charles Carley | 9,721 | John O'Sullivan | 5,765 |
| Josephine Hochman | 9,215 | Paul Saltin | 5,013 |
Voters decided between five candidates for three open seats on the South Brunswick Board of Education. The seats of current Board President Stephen Parker and Barry Nathanson were up for grabs, along with a seat vacated when Elizabeth Chang resigned from the board. Nathanson and Parker were challenged by Azra Baig, Raymond Kuehner and Peter St. Vincent.
| Candidate | Results |
| Azra Baig | 3,919 |
| Ray Kuehner | 3,408 |
| Barry Nathanson | 4,037 |
| Stephen Parker | 4,935 |
| Peter St. Vincent | 4,014 |
Special election pit current Assemblywoman Donna Simon (R) against challenger Marie Corfield (D) to finish the unexpired term of the late Pete Biondi.
| Democrat | Result | Republican | Result |
| Marie Corfield | 9,141 | Donna Simon | 5,701 |
Board of Chosen Freeholders
Voters chose two candidates for two three-year terms, with incumbent Democratic Freeholders H. James Polos and Ronald Rios facing Republican challengers Abrar "Sam" Khan and Roger W. Daley.
| Democrats | Results | Republicans | Results |
| H. James Polos | 9,062 | Abrar "Sam" Khan | 4,824 |
| Ronald Rios | 8,978 | Roger W. Daley | 5,265 |
12th Congressional District
Incumbent Rush Holt (D) faced off with Republican challenger and South Brunswick resident Eric Beck.
| Democrat | Result | Republican | Result |
| Rush Holt | 10,350 | Eric Beck | 4,951 |
U.S. Senate
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D), the junior United States Senator who was first appointed in 2006 to fill Jon Corzine's seat, was challenged by Republican Joe Kyrillos, who easily defeated three opponents in the primary.
| Democrat | Result | Republican | Results |
| Bob Menendez | 9,754 | Joe Kyrillos | 5,483 |
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Bobby Vans
12:28 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
It's a shame to see the Democrats stay in office with no change in leadership. Guess the problems in this town aren't going to be fixed for a while (i.e. EMS).
Rhonda Eppelsheimer
8:46 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
It is disgusting that only approximately 15,000 people in ALL of South Brunswick voted. Shame on all who didn't vote. Not one word, negative or positive should come out of yours mouths. You had the chance to speak at an election booth. You chose not to therefore, shut up
Concerned SB Citizen
9:14 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
It's also shame to see one more SBPAL person got elected as BOE. In few years, looks like BOE will be BOPAL!! It is surprising to see that Vince never attended any board meetings and don't know how board works got elected and two others did attended meeting regularly lost it!! What a tragedy for School system. Hope PAL guys won't take our school system down. Barry need to go as well. Welcome Steve Parker.
Don Parlow
10:25 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Concerned - Just to set the record straight. Pete St. Vincent is not, and has never been an SBPAL board member. That said, those of use who are familiar with Pete, know that he's one of the most passionate, committed, and considerate advocates our community could have on the board. We need more Pete St. Vincent’s on the BOE.
Paul Saltin
9:27 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I would like to extend my congratulations and best wishes to my Democratic opponents on their victory at the Polls yesterday. The experience of campaigning was very rewarding as I met so many wonderful people throughout the township. I'm grateful for the support I received from so many people; family, friends, neighbors and the new folks that I've met along the way. To John O'Sullivan I'm sorry you will not be able to continue on the Council. You had but one interest and that was to continue working on behalf of the people of South Brunswick. I know you will not stop your efforts no matter what seat you occupy. I hope I have the opportunity to contribute to the future of South Brunswick, Thank you all for affording me this great opportunity.
Virginia Cifelli
9:40 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I can't believe the school board only has one woman on it. Wondering why people didn't unanimously vote for the only woman who ran.
Truthteller
3:17 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
That is a ridiculous comment. While there are any number of women qualified to be on the BOE to suggest people should vote for someone because they are a particular gender is not reasonable. If you articulated that the women who ran had good ideas and different approaches that you support the argument would make sense. I voted for her not because she is a women but because she is intelligent and cares about the community.
Virginia Cifelli
11:45 am on Sunday, November 11, 2012
Truthteller - yes, I agree with you and that is why I voted for her as well. But most people don't know everyone and what they stand for when they go to the polls so at the very least, I would think that people would agree that we need an equal number of men and women on our education board as the overwhelming majority of school teachers & administration are women -- that's all I was trying to say. Also, most of the men that are on the board now don't have school age children within SB schools anymore -- I would rather have people on the board that have children currently in the school system -- I feel that would serve the community better.