Republicans Sweep Election

Republicans held onto six council seats and will retain control of the town council for the next four years.

First Ward incumbent defeated challenger Gary Marchese Sr., 584 to 425 votes. 

Second Ward candidate Al Sadowski soundly defeated Ray Egatz, chairman of the Wayne Democratic Club, 1,056 to 551 votes, respectively. 

Franco Mazzei defeated Democratic challenger Matthew Giordano in the 3rd Ward, 1,193 to 634. Giordiano did not appear at a candidates forum for his ward. Republican 3rd Ward incumbent Gerard Porter publically endorsed Mazzei for the position.

Mazzei said he was "humbled" and "honored" to receive the people's vote.

The 4th Ward Republican Joseph Scuralli defeated Mickey Bradley 1,131 to 638.

"We did terrific. I am so proud of these candidates," Egatz said. "We ran an honest, clean campaign and we focused on the issues and stayed away from personal attacks."

Nadine Bello hung onto her council seat for another four years. She beat challenger Sam Mirza 883 to 710.

Bello received much criticism from her opponents for admitting she knew about her husband Jerry’s conviction of official misconduct. He was appointed to the Environmental Commission after being convicted of official misconduct, but was forced to resign his position due to a lawsuit that shed light on the conviction.

"I am so glad to be standing here today," Bello said as she addressed her runningmates and other GOP supporters at the Grand Chalet Tuesday night. "I'm still here serving the people of Wayne for the next four years. For the first time in my life I know what dirty politics is."

Mark Semeraro, chairman of the Wayne Regular Republican Organization said that the Republican candidates had a "solid message and accomplished individuals who are doing the right thing for the people of Wayne."

Incumbent Republican defeated Democratic challenger Suzanne Pudup for a two-year unexpired, at-large term. Jimenez, a former member of the Board of Education, was appointed to fill former councilman Lawrence Maron’s seat in July after Maron was appointed to a state Superior Court judgeship.

Chris McIntyre, the nine-member council’s only Democrat, ran unopposed to represent the town’s 5th Ward again.