SOUTH RIVER–Incumbents Raymond Baszak, Kevin Nielsen and Cynthia Urbanik retained their seats on the South River Board of Education against newcomer candidate Miguel Ribau during the election on Nov. 5.
Urbanik won 1,473 votes/31%, Nielson recorded 1,250 votes/27% and Baszak registered 1,100 votes/23%. They claimed the three open seats, each a three-year term.
Ribau recorded 891 votes/19%.
Ribau said he and his team ran a good campaign and accomplished a lot, but unfortunately, they came up short at the polls. After the results came in, he said he went to the Ria Mar restaurant where the Republican Party was hosting its electoral watch party and congratulated my opponents on their electoral victory.
“This does not mean that we are done. What we have built together is built to last and I intend to continue pushing for the same goals that brought us together during this election: to build a more equitable education system, to make sure that our students are safe, and to cultivate a community in which all of us are welcome no matter the color of our skin, our status in society, who we love, or what God we worship,” Ribau said.
Ribau said he is looking forward to working with everyone to build a better South River.
“Thank you all so very much for your support, it means so much to me,” he said.
The winning candidates could not be reached for comment by press time.
Election results are according to the Middlesex County Board of Elections and are unofficial until certified.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
