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BIG STORY NOVEMBER 12, 2021 | The Indian Eye 5

tel and John Poyner were also The incumbent struck a trium-
elected defeating their Republi- phant but politically inclusive
can opponents Tali Epstein, Joe tone in a brief victory speech
VictOry fOr humbled to be elected Mayor convention hall to supporters
he delivered at an Asbury Park
Luistro and Payal Mehta.
“I am so truly thankful and
chanting, “Four more years!”
“If you want to be governor
of our great Township,” stat-
ed Joshi. “I am so honored by
of all of New Jersey, you must
eric & Sam the confidence and trust that listen to all of New Jersey. And
New Jersey, I hear you,” he told
the residents of Edison have
placed in me. I want to thank
the crowd.
all my supporters, friends and
Unofficial returns posted by
the Associated Press and cited by
family that worked so hard and
helped guide me on this jour-
ney. I also want to thank my the New York Times and other
media outlets pronouncing the
opponent Keith Hahn for his victory for Murphy showed him
commitment to our Township Phil Murphy faced the toughest race of his life clinching 50.03% of the vote,
and raising what he believed to compared with 49.22% for Ciat-
be the important issues facing tarelli, with 90% of ballots count-
our Township.” ed. There was no immediate
Current Mayor Thom- word from Ciattarelli conceding
as Lankey withdrew his name defeat, and his campaign spokes-
from the ballot, running as an person, Sami Williams, post-
Independent, prior to Election ed a tweet criticizing the media
Day. For the Edison Township for calling the race when it did.
Council, Democrat Margot “With the candidates sepa-
Harris received 11,043 votes, or rated by a fraction of a percent
18.81%. Democrat Nishith Pa- out of 2.4 million ballots cast,
tel received 10,553, or 17.97%. it’s irresponsible of the media
Democrat John Poyner received to make this call when the New
10,593, or 18.04%. Republican Jersey Secretary of State doesn’t
R. Tali Epstein received 8,753 even know how many ballots are
votes, or 14.91%. Republican left to be counted,” she wrote.
Joe Luistro received 9,022 votes, Murphy has presided over
or 15.36%. Republican Payal a political shift to the left in the
Mehta received 8,709 votes, or state, including new taxes on
14.83%. millionaires, tougher firearms
There were 45 write-in votes. restrictions, a higher minimum
Three seats are available on the Jack Ciattarelli may challenge the NJ election result wage and paid sick leave. He
governing body. Election results has also defended his robust
are not official until certified by doubtedly be before us.” ison mayoralty since the 1950s. public health measures aimed at
Middlesex County. Back in June, Joshi had Also campaigning for a time curtailing the coronavirus pan-
Joshi focused his campaign defeated Edison Democratic was incumbent mayor Thom- demic, which emerged as a key
on enhancing municipal ser- municipal chairman Mahesh as Lankey, who dropped out in point of contention in the race.
vices, increasing open space Bhagia 63-34% after a long and August and endorsed Joshi. Ciattarelli, 59, who had
and recreational opportunities, contentious primary. But rath- While Edison brought good trailed Murphy by up to 10 per-
improving transparency and er than rally the Democratic news to the Democrats, the centage points in some opinion
fiscal responsibility, expanding troops behind Joshi, Bhagia in- election for the post of state polls, capitalized on widespread
the implementation of technol- stead has sat on the sidelines in governor gave a major scare to unpopularity with Murphy’s ag-
ogy, public safety and working the months since. them New Jersey Governor Phil gressive mask requirements for
to end Optimum’s monopoly. Bhagia is perhaps best Murphy narrowly fended off schoolchildren.
“The times ahead of our great known for his alleged role in an election challenge from Re- The Republican had also
community will be fraught with a bizarre 2017 scandal that in- publican former state lawmaker focused much of his campaign
challenges that will require re- volved racist anti-Asian mailers Jack Ciattarelli. on the state’s high taxes, while
search, discussion and strat- being sent out to Edison voters Murphy, 64, became the first accusing Murphy, a wealthy for-
egies to achieve our desired before that year’s elections. Democratic governor in four de- mer Goldman Sachs executive,
results,” said Joshi. “I am com- The lack of Democratic uni- cades to win re-election in New of being out of touch with the
mitted to working hard, being ty this year left an opening for Jersey, even though registered electorate.
a hands-on Mayor and to wel- Hahn, a retired police officer, Democratic voters outnumber New Jersey has trended
coming the diverse opinions to gain steam in the otherwise Republicans by more than 1 steadily Democratic in recent
and ideas of our residents to heavily Democratic township. million in the densely populated years. The party won 10 of the
resolve the issues that will un- No Republican has won the Ed- northeastern coastal US state. Continued on next page... >>

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