Bonnie Watson Coleman Becomes First African American New Jersey Congresswoman

Despite a snafu in reporting election results in Middlesex County, Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman appears to have won the 12th Congressional District seat that became available when Rush Holt announced his retirement, according to the Associated Press.

Watson Coleman had 68.93 percent of the vote in Mercer County, compared to 28,54 percent of the vote for Republican Alieta Eck, according to unofficial results posted Tuesday night.

Due to a problem reading mail-in ballots, Middlesex County had yet to report a single vote around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

Eck was not expected to put up much of a fight on election night.

Watson Coleman will become the first African American woman to serve on New Jersey’s Congressional Delegation.

Incumbent Mercer County freeholders Lucylle R. S. Walter and John A. Cimino defeated challengers Bhanu Kirplani and Andrew Curcio to win another three years in office.

Cimino had 48,094 votes (32.43 percent) and Walter had 47,327 (31.92 percent).

Kirpalani had 24,957 votes (16.83 percent) and Curcio had 26,460 (17.84 percent).

Sheriff John Kemler easily won re-election, defeating Republican challenger David Jones, 48,693-27,036.

Princeton Council President Bernard Miller and Councilwoman Jo Butler were re-elected in an uncontested race. Miller won 5,252 votes and Butler received 5,221 votes.

All results must be certified.