Upset City in Morris County Freeholder Race

by: MrLiberal

Tue Jun 05, 2007 at 10:53:33 PM EDT

In Morris County, the GOP had its open primary for Freeholder. An elderly frequent candidate, James "Jim" Murray decided to run, and was initially kicked off the ballot by County GOP boss John Sette. Murray was successful in getting back on the ballot, however. Now, he has his revenge. With 97% of the vote in, he's ousted Freeholder John Inglesino from his seat! Results in the extended entry...

REP - Board of Chosen Freeholders
385/395 97.47%
Under Votes  21287 
Over Votes  0 

  Vote Count  Percent
Jim Murray  14,439  24.53%
Douglas Cabana  16,066  27.30%
Jack Schrier  15,417  26.19%
John Inglesino  12,855  21.84%
Write-In  78  0.13%
Total  58,855  100.00%

It is statistically impossible for Inglesino to win at this point. So, now what can the Morris GOP do? Either:

A) Support a frequent candidate who bears them no love, and will likely be an irritant on the Freeholder Board;

B) Abandon Murray and potentially let a Democrat win a Freeholder seat. They, too would likely be hard to work with.

I guess this is why most county organizations have organizational lines. Otherwise, candidates with "name recognition" (like Murray) can steal victories. Allow me to send my deepest regrets to Chairman Sette on this unfortunate setback. (snark)