Candidates: Bridgewater Remains One-Party Town

They feel it's a disappointing loss, but for the Democratic candidates in this year's election, they are proud of the campaign they held and the showing they had.

"The campaign was a fair and honest one," said John Rooney, one of the Democratic candidates for council in Tuesday's elections. "I am proud of how we conducted our efforts."

Rooney earned 2,988 votes in the election, and his running mate, Mary Pranzatelli, earned 3,123. They lost to Republican incumbents Matthew Moench and Christine Henderson Rose, who earned 4,852 and 4,725 votes, respectively.

But Pranzatelli said she was pleased with her votes, coming in only about 500 behind Rose.

"I think that is something to be proud of," Pranzatelli said. "I believe if I had had a lot of experience behind me, I could have done it."

Pranzatelli said she would consider running again in the future, but, for now, she is pleased with what she accomplished.

"We worked very hard in the campaign, and I am proud that I came so close," she said.

Jim Ventantonio, who lost in his bid for mayor with 2,600 votes to Republican winner Dan Hayes's 3,962 votes, said he believes it was a well-run campaign with new ideas to maintain the quality of life in Bridgewater.

But, Ventantonio said, he recognizes that the turnout was not great, and that the winners should still recognize the issues that were brought up through the campaign.

"I commend the other candidates, but Mr. Hayes had 48 percent of the vote, so he should be sensitive to the fact that that is not the majority," he said. "There was poor turnout, and if residents can't come out and vote, then they deserve what they got."

Independent candidate George Jones, who received 1,652 votes in his bid for mayor, said he is not planning to run again, and is recognizing that the township is now still a one-party town.

"I'll be honest, I'm very bitter, and the township got what it deserves," he said. "The Republican party is the control in town. Dan will bring something new to the township, but the Republicans are maintaining control."

"People didn't want the independent voice I was bringing," he added.

Although Rooney said he is not sure if will run again in the future, he wishes the Republican winners luck in the coming year.

"I congratulate them, and wish them all the best going forward," he said. "I am looking forward to working with them in the future."