NORTH BRUNSWICK – In North Brunswick, incumbent Democrat Councilman Ralph Andrews retained his seat on the Township Council, joined by Amanda Guadagnino, a former member of the North Brunswick Board of Education.
Andrews received 9,541 votes, or 35 percent, along with Guadagnino’s 9,610 votes, or 35 percent, to defeat Republican challengers George Callan Jr. (4,218 votes / 16 percent) and Thomas Lichwa (3,823 votes / 14 percent).
“This is very exciting. I’m looking forward to serving the North Brunswick community. I’m looking forward to making it – even though it is a wonderful place to live – an even better place to live,” Guadagnino said.
Andrews concurred, noting that despite this being an election season filled with animosity and negativity from both political parties, officials must work together to be fiscally conservative while delivering to the public.
“Here on a local level, we focus on the positive and we focus on making sure that we do our job and make sure we deliver services,” he said.
Current Council President Bob Corbin said he is looking forward to Guadagnino joining the team, while acknowledging that Andrews is “always there” for the residents.
“The organization in North Brunswick in an exciting organization. It would not be an organization without all of the committee people who help us and go out there,” he said.
Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack said the election was exciting for all of Middlesex County, and noted that Councilwoman Shanti Narra was appointed to the county Board of Chosen Freeholders, thus being replaced by former North Brunswick Mayor Sylvester Paladino on the council as of Nov. 7.
“Our candidates deserved to win, but what we can’t have is complacency,” Womack said. “We’re a Democratic town. We have to keep this a Democratic town. We have to make sure we give people what they want … and give them leadership they deserve.”
Overall, the Democratic committee thanked all of its supporters, especially the poll workers and committee members in town.
“Congratulations to every one of us. We worked hard like it wasn’t a presidential year. We had everyone out at the polls. We had a lot of excitement,” said Rich Zangara, chairman of the North Brunswick Township Democratic Organization.
Neither Callan nor Lichwa could be reached for comment.
Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@gmnews.com.
