Republicans Win Big In Local Races, Dems Dominate County Election

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Republicans had a strong showing locally in Somerset County towns while the Democrats dominated on the county level, according to unofficial results reported by Somerset County. The final count on Mail in Ballots will be provided by the County Clerk Office on Nov. 12.

Democrat Darrin Russo edged out Republican William "Bill" Parenti for the win in a very heated and close contested Somerset County Sheriff race.

Russo had 36,372 votes winning over Parenti who had 33,798 votes. (See Related: Somerset County Sheriff: Russo Edges Out Parenti)

Democrat Melonie Marano also edged out Republican incumbent Patricia L. "Pat" Walsh in a very close and Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders race with 35,113 votes over 34,791. (See Related: Somerset County Freeholder: Marano Edges Out Walsh)

On a local level it was an entirely different story with Republicans winning in almost every town in the county.

In Bridgewater, Republican Matthew Moench and his team beat out Democrat Jeffrey Brookner and his team for Mayor and Council. (See Related: Bridgewater Mayor: Moench Beats Brookner, Unofficial Results Say)

In Basking Ridge, Republican Janice Fields appears to have beaten Democrat Dr. Sophia Chadda and Independent Todd Edelstein for the one contested Township Committee seat. (See Related: Bernards Committee: Fields Takes The Win, Unofficial Results Say)

In Hillsborough, Republican incumbent Frank DelCore won over Democrat newcomer Jeffrey Wright for township committee. (See Related: Hillsborough Committee: DelCore Wins, Unofficial Results Say)

In Manville, Republican incumbent Richard M. Onderko and his team beat Democrat challenger Philip E. Petrone and his team for Mayor and Council. (See Related: Manville Mayor: Onderko Beats Petrone, Unofficial Results Say)

In Warren, Republican Jolanta Maziarz took the win over Democrat John Patrick Fahy and Independent Rick dePinho for township committee. (See Related: Warren Council: Maziarz Wins Over Fahy, Unofficial Results Say)

In Bedminster and Bernardsville, Republicans also won out. In Bernardsville, Republicans Jean McCredie and Chad McQueen won over Democrats Kerry Haselton and Peter Birnbaum for Borough Council. In Bedminster, Republicans Douglas A. Stevinson and Gina Lisa-Fernandez won over Democrats Zaheer Jan and Jeffrey Beyer for township committee. (See Related: Republicans Top Vote-Getters In Bernardsville And Bedminster)

In Green Brook, Republican Gerard Searfoss bested Democrat Linda Bolton for a seat on the Township Committee. Watchung was the only town where Democrats won. Democrats Pietro Martino and Wendy Robinson beat Republicans George Sopko and Amber Murad for Borough Council. (See Related: Watchung 2019 Council Race Extremely Close)

Other Somerset County towns such as Bound Brook, Branchburg, Far Hills, Millstone, Peapack/Gladstone, Raritan, all voted for Republicans as well.

Franklin, Montgomery, Rocky Hill, and Somerville voted in favor of Democrats. South Bound Brook had a mix of both parties.

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