Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional quotes from Linda Geevers.
Incumbent Mayor Hemant Marathe won re-election to a third term in West Windsor’s nonpartisan municipal election on Nov. 4, defeating challenger Sujit Singh by 318 votes.
Marathe received 5,032 votes (51.42%) to Singh’s 4,714 votes (48.17%), according to unofficial results released by the Mercer County Clerk’s Office.
Write-in candidates received 41 votes. A total of 9,787 ballots were cast in the mayoral race.
Marathe’s running mates on the “Proven Leaders for West Windsor” slate also prevailed in the race for two Township Council seats.
Incumbent Council Vice President Linda Geevers was re-elected with 5,006 votes (26.61%) and Joe Charles, a certified public accountant and first-time candidate, secured the second seat with 4,801 votes (25.53%).
They defeated Singh’s “West Windsor Together” council candidates, Ajay Tomar and Andrew Winters, who received 4,500 votes (23.92%) and 4,460 votes (23.71%) respectively.
Write-in candidates garnered 42 votes in the council contest, where voters could select two names. A total of 18,809 votes were cast.
In a statement to Communitynews.org, Marathe thanked voters and said the results reflect residents’ desire for steady leadership.
“I am thankful to the residents of West Windsor for the trust they have shown in me, Linda Geevers and Joe Charles to be their mayor and council members for another four years,” he said.
“We will continue to listen and be respectful to all suggestions. We will work hard to build a community we all deserve and expect,” Marathe said.
While some absentee and provisional ballots remain to be counted, the results gave the Proven Leaders team a clear edge.
The group campaigned on a message of fiscal restraint, experience, and incremental development focused on preserving the township’s character.
Geevers, who has served on council since 2005, celebrated the outcome in a statement thanking campaign supporters and highlighting the group’s outreach efforts.
“It was an incredible victory for all three of us. I am honored and grateful to once again have earned a sixth term now on the township Council,” she said.
According to records from the West Windsor Historical Society, Geevers is currently the fourth longest serving of any elected official since 1797.
“We knocked on thousands of doors and had 25 meet and greet gatherings where we listened to our residents and answered each of their questions,” she said. “Now we can take that feedback and make necessary adjustments to address the residents’ needs and concerns.”
Geevers added, “As the election is over, I want you to know that I will continue to represent all residents. Together, we can make our wonderful diverse community the best that it can be.”
Charles said he was grateful for the support he received in his first campaign.
“I would like to thank all the people who did so much to help me during the election process. I look forward to serving our community — now the real work begins!”
Geevers said she looks forward to working alongside her returning and incoming colleagues.
“I’m excited for Mayor Marathe in being re-elected to a third term. He works diligently for our growing community,” she said. “I also look forward to working with Councilman-Elect Joe Charles who I have gotten to know very well over the past year.
“He’ll bring a new skill set to Council. We will work collaboratively with all residents and other elected officials to move us to an even brighter future.”
The slate said in a joint statemen that their supporters “delivered on our message of fiscal responsibility, inclusiveness, and proven leadership to meet the challenges ahead.”
The campaign marked a sharp contrast in vision between the two slates.
Marathe and his team emphasized preserving open space, minimizing housing obligations through careful planning, and limiting large-scale development to Route 1 corridors.
Singh’s team argued for greater transparency, more walkable mixed-use centers, and tighter environmental controls.
They also opposed recent warehouse approvals, particularly the Bridge Point 8 project, and called for new approaches to traffic, housing and civic engagement.
Marathe defended his administration’s record on social media engagement, cost controls, and infrastructure improvements.
During the campaign, he noted that the township had kept average tax increases under $10 per household annually while expanding services.
With the election behind them, the Proven Leaders team said they hope to move forward with unity.
“As the election is now over, it’s time we all come together to make our wonderful community the best it can be,” Marathe said.
