Democrats in Union County had an extraordinarily successful night, bolstering the political power of Senate President Nicholas Scutari, the Democratic county chairman, with Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill winning by a 2-1 margin, adding two Assembly seats in the 21st district, and scoring victories at the municipal level.
In Westfield, where two-term Mayor Shelley Brindle did not seek re-election, the seat stays Democratic: Jeremy Berman defeated Michael Domogala by a 59%-41% margin.
Democratic newcomers also held all four council seats: Reshma Adwar in the 1st Ward with 56%, Vikram Venkataraman in the 2nd Ward with 60%, Jennifer Gilman with 62% in the 3rd Ward, and Drew Pecker with 59% in the 4th Ward.
Democrats flipped three council seats in Summit: Daniel Crisafulli unseated At-Large Councilman Kevin Smallwood, 54%-46%; Jaclyn LaSarcacina ousted 1st Ward Councilwoman Delia Hamlet, 54%-46%; and in a race for an open 2nd Ward seat, Chantal Landman beat Thomas Szeiber, 56%-=44%.
In an upset, Democrats Alan Lerner (1,835) and Brian Gardner (1,851) defeated Republican incumbents Diane Bilcka (1,678) and Alexander Kogan (1,652) in contests for the New Providence Borough Council.
In Cranford, Democratic incumbents Terrence Curran (5,796) and Kathleen Miller Prunty (5,646) defeated Republicans Richard Buonotempoi (5,200) and Carlos Rodriguez (4,729).
Democrats held two council seats in Garwood, with incumbent Clarissa Nolde (1,068) and newcomer Kathleen Annarelli (1,059) defeating Republicans Brenda Caffrey (991) and Laura Thompson (983).