ELECTION 2008:
Lautenberg easily re-nominated, Zimmer defeats Pennachio in
GOP senate race, Tanelli leads all candidates on both ballots with 367
votes!
Incumbent defeats Andrews nearly 3-1!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - New Jersey voters went to the polls today (click for Dem Results and GOP Results)
and renominated incumbent Senator Frank
Lautenberg as he easily defeated Rep. Rob Andrews of Camden by a vote
of 291 to 108. Morristown Mayor Donald Crescitello trailed with 31.
On the
Republican side former United States Representative Richard
"Dick" Zimmer defeated State Senator Joseph Pennachio statewide,
but lost North Arlington in a landslide by a vote of 170 to 57. Conservative
Murray Sabrin finished a distant third with just 16 votes.
In the
race for county office, the BCDO ticket led
by County Clerk candidate Diane Testa easily defeated the "Real Bergen
Democrats" by a nearly 5-1 margin.
At the
local level, Council President Steve Tanelli
received 367 votes and running-mate Mark Yampaglia garnered 327. Tanelli
tied Congressman Steve Rothman for the most votes for any candidate on the
ballot. On the Republican side, GOP challenger James Bocchino received 215
votes while his running-mate James Herrmann tallied 214.
Local
Democrats were pleased with the results.
"Steve
Tanelli is one of the community's most
effective and popular elected officials. A fiscal conservative and ardent
opponent of EnCap, Steve coupled with Mark Yampaglia
make for a very compelling team come the fall contest. The fact that Steve got
as many votes as a six-term member of Congress (Rothman) tells you the depth of his support," observed
Municipal Chairman Nick Antonicello.
"The
local organization is squarely behind the BCDO and it's leadership. The
Democratic Party is united. And in this effort, we look forward to a
challenging campaign and fruitful victory come election day," said
Antonicello.
In other
news, NA Today has learned that former Republican
Councilman Gary Burns will be the party's new Republican leader set to
replace former Councilman Joe Whittles. Burns who was defeated for re-election
some eleven years ago in a revolt against high property taxes
(1997), was first elected to the council in 1982. A former CETA employee
and purchasing agent for the borough, Burns first ran for public
office in 1980.
