Louis Manzo and Julie DeLaurentis won against Republican challengers for committee unexpired and full terms
Harrison Township voters cast their ballots in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 7, electing one three-year, full-term committee member, as well as one, one-year unexpired term.
Harrison Township Committee Independent incumbent and Mayor Louis Manzo will retain his seat for another year to fill the one-year, unexpired term, to which he was appointed to in October 2016 to fill the position of John Williams who had resigned. According to unofficial results from the Gloucester County Board of Elections, Manzo took the lead with 54.64 percent of votes ahead of Republican challenger Lisa Rotte, who received 41.18 percent of votes.
Independent Julie DeLaurentis also finished ahead against Republican challenger Jacqueline Vigilante to take the place of Committeeman and Deputy Mayor Dennis Clowney for the full-term, three-year seat. The unofficial results report DeLaurentis received 53.78 percent of votes against Vigilante with 46 percent.
“We want to thank everyone that came out in support of the Harrison First movement,” Manzo said. “As your elected Independent committee people, we represent every resident. Not just the Democrats or Republicans, but everyone, and we will continue to implement our bipartisan approach to directly benefit our community. That is the mandate our residents have given us with these results.”
According to Manzo, Harrison Township is the only township in Gloucester County with an Independent majority, with the election resulting in three Independents and two Republicans to serve the committee.
“Political change is a good thing,” Manzo said. “Harrison First is our shared vision for focusing on our hometown, and we are honored to represent those values in leading Harrison Township.”
Moving forward, Manzo said, the elected will focus on bringing slated development projects to fruition, including the new Inspira Medical Center and the Richwood Town Center, as well as smaller projects such as Dunkin Donuts on Route 45 and Cedar Road, Farm Fresh Cold Storage on Barnsboro Road, the Liquor Store in Mullica Hill Commons and the redevelopment project of Naples Ristorante on Main Street. Additionally, attention will be given to the township’s sidewalk and open space programs, as well as improvements to the community’s park system.
“I want to thank our families, friends and supporters,” DeLaurentis said. “I am honored to represent and serve the residents of Harrison Township, making decisions that always put Harrison first.”
Certified Civil Trial Attorney Jacqueline Vigilante said although the race is over, residents can count on her, and running mate Rotte’s, continued presence at township meetings and support for township activities.
“Lisa and I are both so grateful for the overwhelming support we had from the residents in this election,” Vigilante said. “We hope that our campaign has increased public awareness about what is going on in Harrison Township and that we have inspired others to stand up for their principles and fight for what they believe is right.”
Rotte said she will continue to serve the township and will serve as a “positive voice and influence to the township and its residents.”
“I feel so blessed and humbled to have been on the ballot, supported by so many, and for the friendships I have found with the residents, our team and with Jacci Vigilante,” Rotte said. “Thank you, and may God bless Harrison Township.”
Board of Education, county and state election results
Incumbents Stacey Muscarella, with 2,651 votes, Shannon Williams, with 2,594 votes, and Cristie J. Clark, with 2,547 votes, will fill the three open seats for the Harrison Township School District Board of Education. They ran unopposed.
The Clearview Regional High School Board of Education also had one seat in Harrison Township up for election this year, with incumbent Gregory Fuller winning with 2,699 votes, as he was the only candidate to run.
The Gloucester County Clerk will remain the same with incumbent Democrat James Hogan taking the lead with 64.54 percent of votes against Republican Diane King with 35.42 percent. The seat of county surrogate will also continue for incumbent Helene Reed with 61.81 percent of votes ahead of challenger William M. Gilson.
Incumbent Democrats Heather Simmons, Lyman Barnes and Jim Jefferson will continue to serve on the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders, having finished ahead of challengers Rose Yerka, Louise Pelosi and Mary Behm. Simmons, Barnes and Jefferson combined earned approximately 60 percent of votes.
In the race for the state’s fifth legislative district senator, incumbent Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D) took the lead with 56.97 percent of votes against challengers Keith Walker (R), with 42.16 percent of votes, and Mohammad Kabir under the Challenge Promise Fix Party, with 139 votes.
In the state’s fifth legislative district, Democrat incumbents Patricia Egan Jones and Arthur Barclay took the lead to secure their seats in the General Assembly. Jones and Barclay combined earned 58 percent of votes ahead of Republican challengers Kevin Ehret and Teresa Gordon.
In the race for the next governor, Democrat Phil Murphy finished ahead against Republican opponent Kim Guadagno. Murphy will succeed Chris Christie, with running mate Sheila Murphy as lieutenant governor.
Voters approved the statewide referendum question on the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, which authorized the state to “issue bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $125 million” to be used as grants for public libraries.
Voters also passed the second referendum question that asked if voters approved of amending the state Constitution to dedicate all moneys collected by the state relating to natural resource damages to repair, replace, restore or preserve the state’s natural resources.
All results are unofficial until the Gloucester County Board of Elections certifies them. These numbers do not include mail-in or provisional ballots.
