Shaw defeats Holley in Roselle mayoral primary

Roselle Mayor Donald Shaw has defeated Jamel Holley in the Democratic mayoral primary after 64 vote-by-mail ballots expanded his lead from 50 votes to 70.

With about 80 than provisional and curable ballots still outstanding, Shaw is now ahead, 1,456 to 1,386, a 51%-49% margin.  Shaw added 42 votes, with 22 going to Holley.

Holley would need to win roughly 95% of the uncounted votes to take the lead, something that remains highly improbable even though mail-in ballots postmarked by 8 PM Tuesday will still be accepted through Monday.

Assemblyman Reginald Atkins,  the Roselle Democratic municipal chairman, today called on Holley to concede.

“The campaign for Mayor was spirited on both sides, but now the outcome is no longer in doubt,” said Atkins.  “I’m asking Jamel to concede the campaign to Donald today so that we may all move on with the important work required from us by Borough residents.”

But Holley, a former assemblyman and mayor, has alleged “errors and irregularities that cast doubt” on the accuracy and fairness of the count.

Atkins asked Holley to accept the vote tally.

“Continuing to pursue legal remedy is certainly the right of any candidate but, with a lead of this size and so few votes remaining, any continued negative rhetoric or detrimental action around this election can only serve to divide the community we all love,” he said.