CRABIEL, SCOTT AND RIOS WIN BIG ON ELECTION DAY

(Home News Tribune)

Another Democratic sweep in the county freeholder race was all but official last night with 592 of 597 precincts reporting results. Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel, Mildred "Millie'' Scott and Ron Rios all enjoyed large leads over their Republican challengers with 99 percent of the vote counted.

"I'm elated, this a great victory, we don't have a final count, but it looks like top numbers.,'' said Crabiel. "People have been very good to me, I had two great running mates in Ron Rios and Millie Scott. We even elected a councilman in Milltown.

"I have another three years and I'm going to do the best job I can,'' added Crabiel. "I want to finish the new nursing home. I'm very strong on that, want to finish up National Lead property we did a lot of work on. I'm very much concerned about taxation, and will do everything I can to make county taxation reasonable.''

The turnout for the freeholder race was large with 504,225 ballots cast.

Crabiel led all candidates with 159,153 votes, followed by Scott with 154,944. They edged their Republican challengers for three-year seats as Lynda Woods Cleary garnered 97,229 votes with Daniel Kerwin collecting 92,899 votes.

In the race for the one-year unexpired seat that was made available when freeholder John Pulomena resigned to become County Administrator, Rios won with 158,712 votes to Republican Robert Thuring's 96,017.

"I'm honored and humbled,'' said Rios, who has served as an appointed, interim freeholder since Pulomena stepped down in March. "We got the support we have from grassroots, from our union base — regular people that can see what county government has done for them.

"I look forward to being part of a team that preserves open space, and the completion of our long-term healthcare facility.

Scott was making her first run for freeholder after serving as a councilwoman in Piscataway for 12 years. She retired from the Sheriff's Department after 27 years of service, including working as the Chief Sheriff's Officer.

"I'm elated, I'm proud, I'm honored,'' said Scott. "I'm looking forward to being a member of a hard-working board, a caring board, and a pro-active board.''

Freeholders serve on the board in staggered three-year terms.

BOOKER ENERGIZES CROWD AT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC RALLY

Newark Mayor Cory Booker delivered a rousing keynote speech before more than 1,200 party faithful at the Middlesex County Democratic Organization's campaign kickoff in Edison.

With his voice rising, Booker began each sentence with the words, "Stand up." It did not take long for the crowd to do just that and applaud as the speech reached its crescendo.

"Stand up because New Jersey needs you now," said Booker. "Stand up for New Jersey pride because Barack Obama was born to serve and lead."

He concluded his speech with, "Stand up because Barack Obama was born to run."

In his opening, Booker said the Democrats are the "party of change." He exclaimed, "We are the party of women's right. We are the party of civil rights. We are the party of environmental activism. We are the party of worker's rights. We are the party of social security. We are the party of Medicare."

The crowd applauded loudly as Booker said he was not satisfied with a nation filled with people who are in bankruptcy or that "spends trillions of dollars in a war we should never have been in."

"The status quo has got to go," he said.

FREEHOLDER CANDIDATES' TV COMMERCIALS ARE ONLINE

Please visit our audio/video page to view TV commercials for the 2008 Freeholder candidates, Freeholder Director David Crabiel, Freeholder Ron Rios and Freeholder candidate Millie Scott.

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MCDO NEWSLETTERS PAGE HAS BEEN UPDATED

The Summer 2008 Newsletter is online. Check out the recent Middlesex County Democratic Organization news.

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SPICUZZO RE-ELECTED AS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN

Middlesex County Democratic Chairman Joseph Spicuzzo was re-elected by acclamation last night at the Pines Manor.

Spicuzzo, who has served as chairman since 1994, thanked the county Democratic committee for their support and hard work. He said that with the presidential and U.S. Senate primaries now concluded it is time for the party to speak in “one voice” and ensure a Democratic sweep from the White House to the local town councils.

“The only way we are going to win is to stick together,” said Spicuzzo.

The organization’s vice-chair, Helen Gottlieb, was also re-elected by acclamation.