Shaw gets Democratic nod for Roselle mayor

Roselle Democrats picked Donald Shaw as their candidate for mayor in a November special election to replace Christine Dansereau, who resigned for health reasons on July 1.

Shaw, the borough’s former recreation director, challenged Dansereau in the 2019 Democratic primary.  Dansereau defeated Shaw by 219 votes, 42%-34%.  A third candidate, Archange Antoine, who ran with the backing of Linden Mayor Derek Armstead, won 24%.

Roselle is solidly Democratic and Shaw becomes the odds-on favorite to complete the remaining 35 months of Dansereau’s term, but there’s still time for an independent candidate to enter the race.

Dansereau’s allies still control the borough council, which rejected Shaw as an interim mayor and instead picked Rev. Reginald Atkins, the Democratic municipal chairman, to fill the post until the results of the November 3 general election are certified.

Atkins is backing Shaw.

“If the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that government efficiency is far more important than any petty difference or personal ego,” Atkins said. “People need a mayor who they can trust is in it for the right reasons, to promote our public health and keep our community safe. Everyone knows and trusts Donald for good reason – his years of experience in public service and his values as a husband, a father, and a neighbor are exactly what we need.”

Shaw has the backing of State Sens. Joseph Cryan (D-Union) and Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden), and Assemblyman Jamel Holley (D-Roselle), a former mayor. 

“I look forward to working with Donald’s campaign and his new leadership for Roselle,” said Cryan. “It’s time to move Roselle forward with a united voice.”

Holley said the he has known Shaw for more than a decade.

“He has dedicated many years as a volunteer and our borough’s first recreation director,” Holley said.  “He has my support in his quest to become the next mayor of Roselle.”