Mahwah Mayor Running For Reelection

MAHWAH, N.J. – Mayor William Laforet is running for re-election to the office that a group of residents tried to remove him from last year.

Laforet is running against longtime Council President John Roth. Roth declared his candidacy earlier this week.

“It takes a lot of consideration to put yourself out there and run for elected office. I don't think anybody does this lightly,” said Laforet, an independent. “I wish John well.”

Related: Council President John Roth Running For Mahwah Mayoralship

Laforet was elected in November 2011 to serve a one-year term after the previous mayor died. He was then elected to a full-term in 2012.

Laforet said he is undeterred by the recall effort that was launched to try and remove him from office last year.

"I have the utmost confidence in choosing to run," Laforet said.

Roth is a retired marketing executive. He was elected to the Township Council in 2004 and served on the Board of Education for five years and the Planning Board for two.