Uncertified returns from the state, county, and local races in Tuesday’s primary elections.
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By Matt Skoufalos | June 4, 2019
Photo by Parker Johnson on Unsplash – https://goo.gl/yFknSf.
Early returns from Tuesday’s New Jersey primaries show that Democratic voters largely stuck with the incumbents to represent them in the November general election.
Republicans ran mostly unopposed, and in several races, didn’t field a candidate.
Up for grabs this fall are seats in the state General Assembly, three Camden County Freeholder Board spots, and the county clerkship.
Of the municipal elections coming this fall, only those in Cherry Hill, Haddon Heights, and Pennsauken will be contested.
New Jersey has closed primaries, which means voters must declare their affiliations for a party in order to participate. All results as reported here are preliminary and are unofficial until certified by the County Clerk.
New Jersey General Assembly Race
In the Sixth Legislative District, incumbent Assembly Democrats Louis Greenwald and Pamela Lampitt fended off challengers Danie Moss-Velasco of Collingswood and E. Julian Jordan, III of Voorhees.
They’ll face John Papeika of Cherry Hill and Cynthia Plucinski of Haddonfield in the November general election.
In the Fifth Legislative District, it’ll be incumbent Democrats William Spearman and Willam Moen, Jr. versus Republicans Nicholas Kush of Runnemede and Kevin Ehret of Haddon Heights.
All four Fifth District candidates ran unopposed in their primaries.
Camden County Clerk Race
Incumbent Democratic Camden County Clerk Joseph Ripa will defend his seat against Republican Roy Gustafson of Collingswood in the fall.
Ripa notched more than 80 percent of the projected polls over challengers Mohammad Kabir of Bellmawr and Rena Margulis of Cherry Hill.
Camden County Freeholder Race
In the race for Camden County Freeholder Board, former Cherry Hill Councilwoman Melinda Kane of Cherry Hill will defend her unexpired term against Republican Keith Cybulski of Clementon in the November general election.
Kane beat out challenger Kyle Nash of Mt. Ephraim in the primary, while Cybulski ran unopposed for the same unexpired term on the Republican ticket.
Incumbent Democratic Freeholders Edward McDonnell and Carmen Rodriguez will square off against Republicans Claire Gustafson of Collingswood and Nicole Nance of Camden City.
Democrats Randall McGinness, Jr. of Clementon, Steven Panarello of Laurel Springs, Amanda Semple of Glendora, and Jason A. Witte of Bellmawr all fell short in their attempts to unseat the incumbents. Gustafson and Nance ran unopposed within their own party.
Cherry Hill Municipal Building. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
Local Races
Camden County Freeholder Susan Shin Angulo outpaced ESL teacher Susan Druckenbrod for the nomination to succeed outgoing Democratic Mayor Chuck Cahn.
Shin Angulo will face Republican Nancy Feller O’Dowd in the general election.
In the Cherry Hill Township Council race, incumbent councilman Brian Bauerle, council appointee Michele Golkow, and attorney Jennifer Apell defeated Scott Soffen, Nathaniel DeMarino, and Ji Young Min for the Democratic ballot in the fall general election.
They’ll be opposed by Republicans Steven Lever and Mary Ellen Litton. Despite winning the third Republican nomination, Joshua Duvall has announced his intention to drop out of the race to mount a 2020 challenge to U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross.
- In Haddon Heights, Democrat Chris Linaris and Republican Michael Valvardi will square off in the local mayoral election this fall; neither was opposed in the primary, and incumbent Mayor Jack Merryfield will not defend his seat. Incumbent Democratic councilwoman Asiyah Kurtz and Democratic challenger Tom Ottoson will face Republicans Kathy Lange and Jennifer Moore for two open seats on the governing body this fall.
- In Pennsauken, Democrat Almar Dyer will face Republican Nhuan Van for an open seat on the township committee.
Uncontested local races
Absent challengers on the Republican ticket, Democratic candidates Gloria Jones and Thomas Goebel will likely prevail in the Audubon Park council general election.
With no Republican opponents, incumbent Democratic Merchantville councilman Anthony Perno and challenger Raymond Woods, III have a clear path to office in November.
Likewise, Oaklyn council member and Democratic mayoral candidate Greg Brandley face no balloted Republican opposition in the general election in the fall.
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