Embattled Lumberton Township Committeewoman Gina LaPlaca was crushed in her bid to keep her seat, with Mayor Terrance Benson and Kendra Hatfield, a former Committeewoman, defeating her by a more than 3-1 margin.
Three months ago, LaPlaca pleaded guilty to child endangerment after a St. Patrick’s Day drunk driving arrest; her blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit. Last week, her now-estranged husband, Jason Carty, a school board member, was charged with trying to strangle her.
Early Tuesday morning, an ambulance was called to LaPlaca’s home, where the office holder had complained of chest pains and shortness of breath. She was reported to be alert and returned home.
Benson finished first with 1,100 votes, followed by Hatfield with 1,052. LaPlaca received just 323 votes.
Republicans are running Becky Shemeley, a member of the town development, and activist Kate Page.
Lumberton is a comfortably Democratic town; Mikie Sherrill carried it by 26 points last year.