Politics & Government

Incumbents, Hochman Win Democratic Council Primary

Joseph Camarota, Charles Carley and Josephine "Jo" Hochman win Democratic primary for South Brunswick Township Council.

Both Democratic incumbents and their running mate are moving on to the general election in November. Incumbent councilmen Joseph Camarota and Charles Carley, along with running mate Josephine "Jo" Hochman, won Tuesday's primary over former South Brunswick Mayor Debra Johnson and Shilpn Patel by a comfortable margin.

Camarota received 1,310 votes, Hochman received 1,306 votes, and Carley received 1,216 votes. Johnson received 591 votes and Patel received 369 votes.

On the GOP side, incumbent Republican Councilman John O'Sullivan, along with challengers Michael Kushwara, of Kendall Park, and Paul Saltin, of Monmouth Junction ran uncontested.

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The primary was marked by low voter turnout. Only 4,794 votes were cast in the Democratic primary election out of 24,319 registered voters. 1,679 votes were cast for the unchallenged Republican candidates. 

Poll workers dropping off results to the Municipal Building Tuesday evening said the poll locations were dead for most of the day.

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The primary sets the stage for a November showdown for three open seats on the Township Council, with the seats of Camarota, Carley, and O'Sullivan up for grabs among the six contenders.

Results are not official until certified by the county.


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