Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis and his slate called a clean sweep this evening, though top challenger Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski said she is still expecting a runoff.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I think the city sent a clear message that they want to keep moving forward and they re-elected us, and two new, and we swept a third time which is something I don’t think has ever happened before in Bayonne,” Davis said.
“We will get right to work tomorrow. We have a lot of things that we have been working on for the last couple of months that I didn’t make campaign issues that are going to come out in the next couple of months probably up until September. You’ll see some big things that will be announced that are good for the city that’s good that’s going to bring the city moving forward.”
According to the Hudson County Clerk’s Office, Davis scored 50.81 percent of the vote, 4,863 total, to 42.67 percent for Ashe-Nadrowski – 4,084 votes.
Dr. Mitchell Brown performed much better than last time around, but still only managed 6.38 percent of the vote with 611 votes.
The mayor, who had significant ground game assistance from Jersey City and the county, ran with three incumbents: 1st Ward Councilman Neil Carroll, 3rd Ward Councilman Gary La Pelusa, and Councilman-at-Large Juan Perez.
Jacqueline Weimmer ran on his slate in place of 2nd Ward Councilman Sal Gullace, who didn’t seek re-election, with retired Police Officer Loyad Booker seeking to fill Ashe-Nadrowski’s spot at-large.
Carroll and La Pelusa won decisively, with La Pelusa beating Valado by a 2.5-to-1 margin, while Weimmer’s victory also appears clear.
“We certainly took our licks down in the First Ward, but we kept on ticking, we kept on punching back and we did a great job,” Carroll stated.
“I think we did an excellent job. The team has done an excellent job. I’m proud to serve with these guys. It was a hard-fought campaign. We had a great victory. I feel like my wife is watching over me,” noted La Pelusa.
A mayoral runoff, while not particularly likely, remains possible, while a runoff at-large could be even more probable.
Either way, retired Police Officer Loyad Booker appears poised to be the first Black councilman in Bayonne history with 25.08 percent of the vote, according to the Hudson County Clerk’s Office.
“The election remains too close to call. It’s important that we make sure everyone’s vote was and is counted,” Ashe-Nadrowski said tonight.
“I had hoped for a higher turnout, but considering the negative campaign it doesn’t surprise me that some people stayed home or were too intimidated to actually cast their ballots. We’re looking forward to reviewing the remaining vote by mail and provisional.”
A retired police captain, Davis had the backing of the majority of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, in particular Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, along with local Republican groups.
He defeated Mark Smith in 2014, who was the mayor at the time, and Jason O’Donnell, a state assemblyman under Smith, in 2018.
Editor’s note: News correspondent Daniel Ulloa contributed to this report.
Russo was there? Sounds more like a Sopranos meeting. Was he there to represent Ravi on behalf of The Family?