Home>Campaigns>Bollwage ally beats rival’s brother in Elizabeth council primary

Elizabeth City Councilman Bill Gallman, center, goes door to door with Mayor Chris Bollwage, left, in May 2026. (Photo: Christian Bollwage).

Bollwage ally beats rival’s brother in Elizabeth council primary

One of the six ward council seats was won by the lone candidate running without the Democratic organization slogan

By David Wildstein, June 03 2026 5:21 am

Allies of Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage held five of six ward seats on the city council in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, with six-term incumbent William Gallman Jr. defeating José Rodriguez, the brother of freshman Assemblyman Ed Rodriguez (D-Elizabeth).

Gallman won, 629-520, 54%-36%, against Rodriguez, whose brother is one of Bollwage’s top rivals.  GOTV King Brian P. Stack had brought volunteers from Union City to help Gallman. 

In the 1st Ward, incumbent Carlos Torres defeated business owner Edwin Falcone, 668-276, a 41-point margin. 

But in the 2nd Ward, incumbent Rosea Moreo-Ortega was unseated by Isias Rivera, 371-299.  Moreo-Ortega and two other candidates, school board member Jerry Jacobs (227) and Manuel Media (155), a planning board member, ran with the organization slogan.  

Incumbents Kevin Kiniery (3rd Ward), Carlos Cedeno (4th Ward), and Frank Mazza (6th Ward) faced no primary opposition.

Elizabeth is a Democratic stronghold that voted for Mikie Sherrill by nearly 50 points.

Republicans are only contesting the 2nd Ward, where Republican Glen Maldonado ran unopposed

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