Republicans Francis, Baker Keep Hopatcong Council Seats

There won't be any changes to Hopatcong's council this year.

Incumbent Republicans Mike Francis and Howard Baker retained their seats in Tuesday's election—and by a wide margin. Francis came out on top with 38 percent of the vote (2,339 votes) and Baker collected 36 percent (2,194), while independent candidate Mara Modes fell short with 25 percent (1,517).

Francis, 67, and Baker, 60, shared more than victory. Both candidates said "relief" was the first emotion they experienced after hearing the results. Each said they were never sure how the race would pan out.

"It's a relief," Francis said. "And now we can get some real work done."

Baker echoed Francis' sentiment.

"It's back to work," Baker said. "Back to what we were doing, which was making Hopatcong a better place."

It's Francis' second full term on the council. The council added Baker to its ranks after Bob Modick died in June 2009. Baker then defeated Modes in a election last November to serve the remainder of Modick's term.

Republican candidate Mike Strada secured the Sussex County Sheriff's Office spot with 59 percent of the votes (23,071) over independent candidate Mitch Ellicott's 41 percent (15,923).

Republican incumbent Parker Space (51 percent, 31,757 votes) and fellow Republican candidate Richard Vohden (48 percent, 29,131 votes) won an uncontested race for Sussex County Freeholder seats.

Hopatcong Council:

Sussex County Sheriff's Office:

Sussex County Freeholder: