Hoer, Francis Win Hopatcong Council Primary

Obtaining 41-percent of punched ballots, Hopatcong Councilman Richard Hoer was the top vote-getter in the Republican Primary Election Tuesday, followed by newcomer Michael Francis with 39-percent of the vote.

Challenger James Sheridan received just 298 votes compared to Hoer’s 630 and Francis’ 598, according to njherald.com, as the three men vied for two available three-year seats on the governing body.

At the county level, Sussex County Surrogate Gary Chiusano received 6,575 votes, ousting challenger Alicia Ferrante, who received 4,748 votes. The surrogate seat comes with a five-year term.

Incumbents Richard Vohden and George Graham received enough votes, according to njherald.com, to retain their Sussex County Freeholder seats, beating out Gary Larson and Helen Wilson LeFrois. Vohden was the top vote-getter with 7,829, while Graham garnered 4,786 tallies.