EAST BRUNSWICK–Voters in East Brunswick elected incumbents Barbara Reiss and Vicki Becker, along with candidate-elect Jeffery Winston, to the Board of Education.
Winston recorded 22 percent (6,513) of the votes, Reiss gained 16 percent (4,783) of the votes and Becker registered 15 percent (4,650) of the votes, securing the three, three-year terms, according to the Middlesex County Election results.
Results are not official until certified by the county.
Incumbent Mark Czismar was also re-elected to the board, securing a one-year term.
“The election was very exciting. After a long build-up from campaign announcement to
Nov. 6, when the day came, my whole family was completely engaged. The results were very pleasing. Based on the vote count and a landslide victory, I am firm in my belief that the citizens of East Brunswick are ready to embrace change,” Winston said. “I only hope for an open-minded board who feels the same way. I look forward to a collaborative effort with the entire [board] as we embark on the exploration of new opportunities.”
Reiss said she wants to thank the East Brunswick community for its kind support in this recent election.
“I feel proud of the positive campaign I ran focusing on my past accomplishments as well as my future goals as a school board member. I am honored that my fellow East Brunswick residents saw fit to return me to serve as one of their school board representatives,” she said. “My goals are to continue to support our district’s top-notch programs and work with our administration to continuously find innovative ways to further improve our Blue Ribbon schools.”
Reiss said she looks forward to serving her first full term as an East Brunswick school board member and to further help the district in its constant effort to be the best it can be.
In the race, incumbent Meredith Shaw and newcomer Dharmeshkumar Patel received 13 percent of the votes. Newcomers Neven Abdo and John Gonzalez earned eight percent of the votes, along with Wesam Berjaoui, who received five percent of the votes, according to the election results.
“I learned a lot of good things in this Board of Education election. Overall, good support from all of East Brunswick community,” Patel said.
Shaw said, “Since my campaign was unsuccessful, I will just congratulate the new and returning board members.”
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
