Dodd wins mayoral comeback in Dover

Former Dover Mayor James Dodd is set for a comeback, winning the Democratic mayoral primary against the woman who unseated him four years ago, the New Jersey Globe projects.

As of 9:50 p.m., Dodd has 56% of the vote, with Democratic municipal chairman Edward Correa, who had the county line, in second with 24%. Incumbent Mayor Carolyn Blackman is in last with 20%.

Dover, a majority-Hispanic town in Morris County, frequently hosts competitive elections between competing slates of Democrats. Dodd was first elected mayor in 2003, but started facing trouble in 2018, when Correa led a successful effort to take over the Democratic municipal committee; Blackman then defeated Dodd a year later, becoming the town’s first Black and first female mayor.

Dodd faced some challenges getting on the ballot at all this year, with his opponents arguing that his primary residence was actually in Sussex County’s Fredon Township. The Dover municipal clerk initially tossed Dodd off the ballot, but that decision was later reversed by a Superior Court judge.

Three of Dodd’s running mates for the Board of Alderman currently lead in their races, with the one exception being Correa-backed Ward 3 Alderman Michael Scarneo.