In a historic election, Essex County saw record-breaking turnout and results. More than 127,000 people voted early or by mail, and nearly 300,000 total ballots were cast. Over 70% of those votes went to Kamala Harris, giving the Essex County Democrats and Chairman Leroy Jones the largest margin for Harris in New Jersey.
Newark led the county with the highest voter turnout, followed by West Orange, which also saw significant voter participation.
However, the Essex Democrats were not immune to losses. In Roseland, a traditionally Democratic town in West Essex that is represented by Democratic Mayor James Spango and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, two incumbent Democratic candidates—Eileen Fishman and Neal Goldstein—lost to Republicans Brian Schroeder and Michele Tolli. Roseland’s shift mirrored a broader trend as former President Donald Trump won the town, and beat all countywide Democratic candidates, including Amir Jones for Sheriff and Juan Rivera Jr. for Surrogate. Despite this, Congresswoman Sherrill, who has represented the district since 2018, narrowly won the town by just 30 votes, though this did not translate into gains for other Democrats further down the ticket.
Other towns saw different results. In Caldwell, Kamala Harris won the town, but local Democrats were shut out, with Republicans securing all the available Council seats.
In Bloomfield, Jenny Mundell secured the Mayor’s office with a strong victory over her Republican challenger. Millburn Democrats also saw a comeback this year, with David Cosgrove, a newcomer, defeating Republican Alex Zaltsman after the Republicans’ decisive victory the previous year.
The West Orange nonpartisan council race was particularly hotly contested. Incumbents Bill Rutherford and Tammy Williams were both defeated—Rutherford failed to get on the ballot due to insufficient petition signatures, and Williams lost her seat. Newcomer Joyce Rudin was the top vote-getter, with Councilwoman Michelle Casalino and former Councilman Joe Krakoviak rounding out the other two open seats. Jonathan Redwine, backed by a Super PAC connected to Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, finished closely behind Krakoviak.
Overall, while Essex County saw strong Democratic support at the top of the ticket, local races were more competitive, with Republicans making significant inroads in certain municipalities and Trump performing well among numerous Democratic strongholds like Livingston and Roseland.
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The recent Essex County election results have been a hot topic of discussion among political insiders in New Jersey. With several key races up for grabs, the outcome of these elections could have a significant impact on the future of the county. Here is a recap of some of the most important races and results from Insider NJ.
In the race for Essex County Executive, incumbent Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. secured a decisive victory over his challenger, Republican Peter Tanella. DiVincenzo, who has held the position since 2002, ran on a platform of continued economic development and investment in infrastructure. His win solidifies his position as one of the most powerful political figures in Essex County.
In the race for Essex County Sheriff, incumbent Armando Fontoura also secured a comfortable victory over his opponent, Republican John Arnold. Fontoura, who has been sheriff since 1990, ran on a platform of community policing and crime prevention. His win ensures that he will continue to oversee law enforcement in the county for another term.
In the race for Essex County Freeholder, Democrats maintained their majority on the board with wins in all contested races. Incumbents Wayne Richardson, Brendan Gill, and Rufus Johnson all secured re-election, while newcomer Tyshammie Cooper won her first term on the board. The Democratic sweep ensures that the party will continue to control county government for the foreseeable future.
Overall, the election results in Essex County reflect a continuation of the status quo, with incumbents retaining their positions of power and Democrats maintaining their stronghold on local politics. The victories of DiVincenzo, Fontoura, and the Democratic Freeholders signal a level of stability and continuity in county government that is likely to persist in the coming years.
As political observers analyze these results, one thing is clear: Essex County remains a stronghold for the Democratic Party and its incumbents. The election outcomes underscore the importance of local politics in shaping the future of communities and highlight the enduring power of established political figures in the region. With these results in mind, it will be interesting to see how Essex County continues to evolve and grow under its current leadership.
