Russo Concedes Montclair Election: ‘Results Didn’t Surprise Me’

MONTCLAIR, NJ — When the dust had cleared from the 2024 municipal election in Montclair, Bob Russo wasn’t surprised at the results.

“I knew the negative feeling toward the entire incumbent council and mayor would impact the voting to my disadvantage,” he told Patch, conceding the election on Monday.

Russo – the only incumbent town council candidate who ran again this year – congratulated Susan Shin Andersen and Carmel Loughman for capturing the two available at-large seats on the council.

Although the results are still uncertified, Shin Andersen and Loughman both hold leads of a few hundred votes over Russo. Read More: Montclair 2024 Election Results: Council, Mayor (See Local Updates)

“Only a few hundred votes separated each one of us, but we all respected each other and conducted a positive campaign to bring unity, civility and good government back to Montclair,” Russo said, also wishing good luck to the apparent mayor-elect, Renee Baskerville, and the other candidates who captured victories on Election Day.

The longtime Montclair resident served as mayor from 2000 to 2004. He was first elected to the council in 1992.

While the campaigning from Shin Andersen and Loughman remained positive, Russo said there was a “long-distance negative social media campaign of lies and hostility” against him that was “very unfortunate.”

But that hasn’t turned Russo against thinking about another run for office, he says – this time on the local school board.

Russo, a union leader who has taught at Montclair State University and Rutgers University, told Patch that he is considering throwing his hat into the ring when a board of education seat goes up for grabs later this year. See Related: Montclair Begins Search To Replace Resigning School Board Member

“I am being asked by many to consider serving on the board of education, with an election this November,” he said. “I will decide shortly whether I will run again to help Montclair support and fund good schools and restore good government – the major issues I addressed in this last campaign.”

• See Related: Russo Seeks Another Term On Montclair Town Council
• See Related: Election 2024: Meet The ‘Montclair Good Government Team’

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