EAST BRUNSWICK – With the ballots counted and campaign signs removed, Mayor Brad Cohen has won 17,163 votes in the mayoral election, securing his second four-year term.
“I want to thank all the residents who voted to re-elect me as your mayor, along with my teammates, Councilmen Sterley Stanley and Michael Spadafino. It is truly an honor to represent East Brunswick and all the diverse members of this community. I am humbled by the faith that you have placed in us and the plurality only speaks to our unity as a township,” Cohen said in a prepared statement.
Republican challenger Jesal Amin won 9,073 of the votes. There were 57 total write-in votes, making the total number of vote 26,293, according to the election results certified by the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office on Nov. 20.
“I would like to congratulate Mayor Brad Cohen on his re-election as our town’s mayor. While the result is not what I had hoped for, the residents of East Brunswick have spoken, and I respect their choice,” Amin said. “I will continue to speak out on issues of concern as the leader of the East Brunswick Republican Party.”
For the Township Council election, Spadafino won 15,408 votes and Stanley won 14,858 of the votes, re-securing their seats, which each hold a four-year term on the council.
Republican candidates Suzanne Blum won 10,721 votes and Olga Miller won 10,453 votes.
There were 45 write-in votes, making the total number of vote 51,485, according to the county clerk’s office.
“Now that the election is over and the people have spoken, it is time to heal. Despite what is going on in the world around us, it is time to put party politics and division in the closet and get down to the business of the township. We will work as hard for those who have not voted for us as for those who did, and everyone will have the same opportunity to contribute to the future of East Brunswick,” Cohen said in the statement.
Cohen also thanked all the poll workers, the East Brunswick and Middlesex County clerk’s offices, and all those working at the county Board of Elections for making this mail-in election run so smoothly.
“This was a record turnout which ultimately is a victory for the voters and democracy,” Cohen said in the statement.
“I will not mention specific names for fear of leaving someone out, but I would especially like to reach out to the many young people who helped run our campaign. We should all be proud of the activism and commitment of those that will be making up the future of our township. These folks are already participating in township committees and boards.
“We should all be happy and secure knowing that there is a batter’s box of those who will be able to step in to the spotlight and lead the future East Brunswick. That future is the one which we are crafting and creating today,” he said the statement. “Thank you and God bless each of you, East Brunswick and the United States of America.”
Blum and Miller could not be reached by press time.
