Election Update: Mayor Rose Heck Faces One Independent Challenger

The race for mayor is now between two candidates this November – Mayor Rose Heck, a Republican, who will be challenged by Dragan Blanusa, an Independent candidate.

Catherine Ellison who was running for mayor on the Democratic ticket is no longer in the race, the Bergen County Office of Elections confirmed Wednesday. The party has until Thursday to file a replacement candidate but it was believed that the party did not plan to put up a new candidate for this race, Marlene Verrastro, the Elections supervisor said.

Chris Semenecz, who was running as an Independent challenger for mayor, is also no longer in the race.

Mayor Heck seeks her second consecutive term. She was the first woman elected to the council in the borough's history serving one term on the council and two terms as mayor in the 1990s. She also served in the state assembly for 13 years. 

Blanusa who runs as an independent says he is a member of the Constitution Party. His wife Mary K. Blanusa seeks a seat on the council as a Democratic candidate. She and her running mate Doris Tousto challenge Republican incumbents Justin DiPisa and Pamela Link.

DiPisa seeks his sixth term on the council. Link seeks re-election to a second term.

Carol Skiba, an independent candidate, also seeks election to the council. She previously served on the council several years ago.