Close races in Garwood, New Providence – New Jersey Globe

The race for two seats on the Garwood Borough Council is too close to call, with a Republican newcomer just four votes down and a GOP incumbent running fourth.

Democratic Councilman Sean Keagan Foley (1,237) is in the top spot; his running mate, Chris Padusniak (1,212), leads Republican Laura Spina Thompson (1,208) by just four votes.  Republican Councilwoman Kimberly Salmon (1,194) is just 18 votes out of second place and 43 out of first.

Garwood has a Democratic mayor and a 5-1 Democratic council majority.

Democrats are on the verge of breaking of the all-Republican hold on the New Providence Borough Council.  GOP Councilman Matthew Cumiskey (3,397) is the top vote-getter, but Democrat Kathleen Dolan (3,370) leads Republican John Sponauer (3,244) by 126 votes; Democrat Alan Lerner (3,173) is in fourth place.  A Republican councilman, Peter DeSarno, did not seek re-election.

In Summit, where Republicans staged a stunning sweep of the mayor race and common council seats in 2023, Democrats held two open seats in 2024.  In the 1st Ward, Michelle Kalmanson defeated Donald Nelson, 53%-47%, and in the 2nd Ward, Claire Toth won, 53%-47%, against Mark Gundersen.

Republicans Joseph Finistrella (2,168) was re-elected to the Kenilworth Borough Council, with his running mate, Douglas Piper (2,060), capturing the seat of departing GOP Councilman John Zimmerman, Jr.  They defeated Democrats Mark David (1,642) and Kay Anne Ceceri (1,636).

Two Democratic councilmen in Roselle Park – Joseph Petrosky in the 2nd Ward and Jay Robaina in the 5th Ward, won easily.  So did the Democratic mayor of Scotch Plains, Joshua Losardo, and Democratic Councilwoman Ellen Zimmerman.

In Linden, Republican Victor Kaminski came within 122 votes of ousting Democratic incumbent Alfred Rodriguez in a race for the 9th Ward seat on the Linden City Council.

Republicans easily held two seats on the Mountainside Borough Council.   Democrats Chris Weber and Alex Keiser had no trouble dispatching GOP opponents for the Springfield Township Committee.  Democrats won in Union Township in a landslide.