Rahway incumbents score big Democratic primary win

Union County Democratic leaders and Rahway Mayor Ray Giacobbe scored an overwhelming victory in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, as the organization’s slate of three incumbent at-large council members decisively defeated challenger Andrew Garcia Phillips, a longtime critic of the city’s governing body.

Incumbents Jeff Brooks, Joanna Miles, and Jeremy Mojica easily secured Democratic nominations for three at-large city council seats. Brooks led the field with 2,292 votes, followed by Miles with 2,256 and Mojica with 1,843. Garcia Phillips trailed all three incumbents with 1,317. 

Giacobbe was unopposed in his Democratic primary as he seeks a third term as mayor.  His GOP challenger is Casey Granieri.  

Republicans fielded just one candidate for the three at-large seats, attorney and activist Alan Levy. With Democrats dominating local elections, the primary was widely viewed as the decisive contest. Rahway gave Mikie Sherrill a 51-point victory in last year’s gubernatorial election.