Following Close Race, Shehady Comes out on Top in Township Committee Contest

Following a close race with a low turnout, Ziad Shehady is once again a member of Springfield’s Township Committee.

The Republican, who spent last year as the Township’s Mayor before being voted off the Township Committee in his bid for reelection, won back his seat on the council by a narrow margin, defeating current Mayor Hugh Keffer by about 60 votes.

“It was close again,” an energized Shehady said. “It came down to the wire.”

With Shehady’s victory, the Committee once again has a Republican majority, following a year under Democrat rule with Keffer leading the party.

Celebrating his victory at , Shehady pledged that the Turf athletic fields would be a top priority for his administration. He said he looked forward to working with his fellow Republicans in the coming year and indicated that the new majority was looking to make some major changes to the way government is run in the township.

“I know Jerry [Fernandez] and Marc [Krauss] are excited,” Shehady said. “The meetings can finally move.”

He added that he planned on spending a lot of time “putting together things that were dismantled.”

The vote was down to the wire, and hinged on the last districts to report, which put Shehady over the top at 1483-1424, according to the Republican’s numbers. (The Democrats’ figures had a slightly wider margin of victory for Shehady. 

The Democrats, gathered at the Knights of Columbus, said they were let down by the outcome.

“I’m disappointed,” current Springfield Deputy Mayor David Amlen said. “I hope that the second tie around Shehady will lead in a more inclusive manner than in the previous year. I look forward to seeing what he’ll do and to having a part in it.”

After the last districts reporting put Shehady over the top, Keffer thanked his fellow Democrats for their efforts in the election.

“All my friends, thank you,” Keffer said to his fellow Democrats shortly after the final votes were tallied. “We ran a good race and we have to get ready for next year. I wish Mr. Shehady well.”

As predicted by many involved in the election, slightly over 30 percent of registered Springfield voters turned out at the polls.   

“I’m very happy for Ziad,” Committee member Fernandez said. “I think that Hugh is a good man, and I have much respect for him. But in my opinion, I feel that Ziad is a better Committeeman.