Republicans won a big victory in Montgomery on Tuesday, gaining a third seat on the Township Committee as incumbent Mark Caliguire and challenger Thom Carter defeated Democrats Michael Fedun and Keith Hovey. Mr. Carter now joins Mr. Caliguire and Republican incumbent Kacey Dyer on the Township Committee with Democrats Louis Wilson, who is also currently serving as mayor, and Brad Fay.

Republicans ran an strong campaign, pounding the township's Democratic leadership for insisting that a pending sale of the troubled Skillman Village site to Somerset County for parkland exclude a parcel for affordable housing to meet Montgomery's COAH obligations.

Meanwhile, Democrat Cecilia Birge, seeking to trade her seat on the Montgomery Township Committee for a seat on the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, was soundly defeated in her second try for county office.

MONTGOMERY RESULTS (Top two vote-getters elected)

Mark Caliguire (R) 3,735 w

Thom Carter (R) 3,475 w

Michael Fedun (D) 3,074

Keith Hovey (D) 2,853

SOMERSET COUNTY FREEHOLDERS (Top two vote-getters elected)

Jack M. Ciattarelli (R) 53,664 w

Patrick Scaglione (R) 52,889 w

Cecilia Xie Birge (D) 37,010

Doug Singleterry (D) 36,932