Running off the line, Linden mayor wins big

Linden Mayor Derek Armstead easily won a hotly contested Democratic primary for a second term with 60% of the vote.

Armstead was tossed off the Democratic organization line after break with State Sen. Nicholas Scutari, the Linden Democratic Municipal Chairman, after making a deal to support Colleen Mahr in the February special election for Union Democratic County Chairman.

Armtead defeated Scutari’s candidate, councilwoman Gretchen Hickey, by 1,539 votes – 3,797 to 2,253.  Councilwoman Rashonna Cosby finished third with 277 votes.

City Council president Jorge Alvarez, who ran with Hickey, lost his bid for re-election.  Armstead’s running mate, Ward 8 councilwoman Michelle Yamakatis, won with 61% of the vote.