It was not a great November for Republicans in Hopewell Valley, as Democrats won every seat that was up for grabs in this year’s municipal elections.
Democrats Michael Ruger and Kevin D. Kuchinski won re-election to the Hopewell Township Committee over Republican challengers Jennifer DiDonato and Daniel J. Hanley, Jr.
Ruger led in the unofficial vote count with 3,217, followed by Kuchinski with 3,192, DiDonato with 1,704 and Hanley with 1,647. DiDonato and Hanley were unsuccessful for the second year running in their attempt to gain a foothold on the all-Democratic committee.
There were no surprises in Pennington as there were only Democrats on the ballot for mayor and common council. James M. Davy received 656 votes for mayor, while Catherine “Kit” Chandler (657 votes) and John J. Valenza II (636) have also been elected to the council.
If there were any surprises in local elections, it may have come in Hopewell Borough, where Republican common council president and long-time council member Charles Schuyler “Sky” Morehouse was defeated. Democrats Heidi Wilenius (518 votes) and Sheri Hook (516) each received more votes than Morehouse (378), who did not participate in pre-election editorial coverage with either the Hopewell Express or MercerMe. Morehouse was the only Republican on the ballot in the council race.
Morehouse is not the only long-time member of Hopewell Borough government who will be signing off on Dec. 31. Long-time mayor Paul Anzano had opted against running for another term in 2023, paving the way for Ryan Kennedy to transition from council to the mayor’s office. Kennedy, like Anzano a Democrat, ran unopposed in November and received 634 votes.
After the election, Kennedy posted the following on social media:
“It has been my honor to serve this town as a member of council, and am humbled with the prospect of becoming our next mayor starting in January. The people of Hopewell Borough came out in large numbers to have a say in our government process, and I welcome all of you — Democrats, independents and Republicans — to join me at the table as we continue working together to shape our town’s future.
“As a community we must welcome all voices and work together to build a place that we can continue to be proud of. There is no mission accomplished banner for the issues we all care about, including safety, affordability, and our environment, but by working together, we can make the positive changes that we come to expect from this special place we all call home.
“I look forward to working with our two new Council members Heidi and Sheri, and ask that everyone join me in thanking Mayor Paul Anzano and Council President Sky Morehouse for their years of dedicated and selfless service to our town.
I am grateful to the wonderful people of our borough for placing your trust in me to continue to serve and represent Hopewell. I am proud to have earned your confidence, but prouder still to be part of this community.”
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In the township, five candidates were running for three seats on the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education. Incumbents Anita M. Williams Galiano and Andrea Driver were both running for a second term, while Pamela Lilleston, currently serving the unexpired term of former member Deborah Linthorst after the latter resigned, was also running for a full three-year term on the board.
They were joined on the ballot by first-time candidates Aileen Matticoli and John Slotman.
All three incumbents won new terms on the board. Driver received the most votes, with 2,681, followed by Williams Galiano, with 2,423 and Lilleston with 2,180. Matticoli received 2,042 votes and Slotman 1,459.
Two candidates were also on the ballot to complete Lilleston’s unexpired one-year term. In that race, 21-year-old Dhruv Kapadia (2,113 votes) won over Mark Austin (1,780).
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At the county level, Democratic Assemblyman Dan Benson was elected to be the next executive of Mercer County. Benson, from Hamilton, defeated Republican candidate Lisa Marie Richford, also from Hamilton, succeeding Brian M. Hughes, who stepped aside during primary season so that Benson could run. Benson received 48,257 votes to Richford’s 20,835.
Democratic Sheriff John “Jack” Kemler (48,091 votes) defeated Republican Bryan “Bucky” Boccanfuso (19,420) and independent Drew L. Cifrodelli (1,637) to win re-election.
And Democratic county commissioners Lucylle R.S. Walter (46,963 votes) and John A. Cimino (46,946) also won re-election, defeating Republicans Joseph A. Stillwell (21,360) and Denise “Neicy” Turner (20,994).
At the state level, in the 15th Legislative District (which represents Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough and Pennington), Democratic incumbents also won fresh terms.
Shirley Turner (23,735 votes in Mercer County) defeated Republican Roger R. Locandro (6,745) to retain her seat in the Senate, while Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (23,239 votes in Mercer) and Hopewell’s Anthony S. Verrelli (23,372) were also re-elected to the Assembly. Republican Michel F. Hurtado, the lone Republican contender for Assembly in the district, received 6,980 votes in Mercer County.
Ryan Kennedy.,
