Politics & Government

Bergen Freeholders Final Tally Widens Dems' Control

With James Tedesco's win, Democrats earn a veto-proof 5-2 majority.

Democrats increased their control in Bergen County’s seven-member legislative body as the county clerk’s office released its latest tally of Election Day votes.

As previously reported, Democratic challenger James Tedesco unseated Republican John Mitchell in a surprising last-minute electoral shift hours after polls had closed in Bergen County.

But with hundreds of provisional ballots still to be counted and Tedesco’s lead at only 73 votes, the margin was too close to definitively call a winner.

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The office of Bergen County Clerk John Hogan released a final tally Thursday, which included provisionals, and saw Mitchell outside of the votes necessary to retain his seat.

The final vote count means that incumbents Maura DeNicola, of Franklin Lakes, and John Felice, of River Edge, as well as Tedesco, would begin three-year terms in January:

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  • Maura DeNicola - 98,184
  • James Tedesco - 97,766
  • John Felice - 97,545
  • John Mitchell - 97,477
  • P. Christopher Tully - 94,261
  • Lorraine Waldes - 91,222

Hogan is expected to certify the vote count and make the results official early next week.

Mitchell conceded defeat and urged Republicans not to call for a recount, according to the Record.

The new-look freeholders will be comprised of five Democrats (Chairman David L. Ganz, Vice Chairwoman Joan Voss, Steve Tanelli, Tracy Silna Zur and Tedesco) and two Republicans (DeNicola and Felice.)


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