New Jersey’s two closest primary contests are headed to recounts next week after Superior Court judges ordered reviews of the razor-thin results.
Just two votes separate the candidates in Republican primaries for mayor in Mendham Borough and for a seat on the Readington Township Committee.
In Mendham, incumbent Mayor James R. Kelly holds a narrow 371-369 lead over former Mayor Neil Henry. On election night, Kelly’s advantage was 16 votes, with the incumbent leading 51%-49%.
Kelly became mayor last year after Christine Serrano Glassner resigned to accept a position in President Donald Trump’s administration.
In Readington, organization-backed candidate Trevor Izzo finished first with 1,306 votes. The battle for the second nomination is even closer, with Michael Rhoades leading Jon Kowal by just two votes, 1,215 to 1,213.
Election night returns showed Rhoades, who ran with Izzo, ahead by a single vote.
Republican politics in Readington have been especially contentious in recent years. Incumbents John Albanese and Jonathan Heller have frequently found themselves at the center of intraparty disputes. Albanese, who is retiring this year, pleaded guilty earlier this year to creating a public nuisance after admitting he stole campaign signs during the 2024 Republican primary. Under a plea agreement, he avoided a criminal conviction.
Superior Court Judge Michael Cresitello also ordered a recount in a county committee race in Readington’s 15th district. Dennis Pascale won one of the two seats, and Laurie Fischer and Thomas Curtis are tied for the second seat at 51 votes each. A fourth candidate, Kathleen Guerrieiro, finished fourth with 46 votes.
Fischer said in court records that while working as an Election Day poll worker, she witnessed a voter saying she had printed her ballot but had not “cast” it because she forgot to vote for an office.
“The poll worker opened the curtain and went in with her. The poll worker said they were going to spoil the ballot and allow her to vote on the machine again.” Fischer said. “This made for very confusing tallying of results, also at the close of polls, when all totals were posted.”