Candidates Claim Victory In West Orange: Updated 2022 Election Results

This article was updated at 4 p.m. on Nov. 11

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange voters headed to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in the 2022 general election. Among other choices, they picked candidates for mayor, town council and the local board of education.

This is a developing story. Check back for the latest election results as they come in, or get them sent to your inbox by signing up for Patch email newsletters here.

ELECTION RESULTS IN WEST ORANGE

Mayor Race

In West Orange's non-partisan municipal election, four candidates sought to replace outgoing mayor Robert Parisi, who announced he wasn't running for re-election earlier this year. The four candidates running for mayor are Cindy Matute-Brown, Susan McCartney, Joe Krakoviak and Bill Rutherford. Read More: West Orange Mayor Candidates Face Off At Public Debate (Video)

With 36 of 37 districts reported, McCartney was leading by several hundred votes as of Friday. Here are the unofficial results, according to the Essex County Clerk's Office:

• Cindy Matute-Brown - 3,678 votes (25.92%)
• Susan McCartney - 4,455 votes (31.40%)
• Joe Krakoviak - 2,817 votes (19.85%)
• Bill Rutherford - 3,240 votes (22.83%)

Matute-Brown, the second-highest vote-getter, posted a message conceding the race and congratulating McCartney on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, our campaign fell a little short and I congratulate my council colleague Susan McCartney," Matute-Brown wrote. "I know of the great challenges and opportunities that we have in West Orange and I am hopeful that we will realize our full potential. Best of luck, councilwoman, as the next mayor of this great town."

Town Council Race

West Orange voters also cast ballots for members of the town council. There are four people running for two at-large seats (each term lasts four years): Asmeret Ghebremicael, Susan Scarpa, William Michael Barbee, and Ron Charles. Read More: Watch West Orange Council, Mayor Debates

With 36 of 37 districts reported, Ghebremicael and Scarpa were in the lead as of Friday. Here are the unofficial results, according to the Essex County Clerk's Office:

• Asmeret Ghebremicael - 7,487 votes (34.27%)
• Susan Scarpa - 5,530 votes (25.31%)
• William Michael Barbee - 4,001 votes (18.31%)
• Ron Charles - 4,828 votes (22.10%)

Ghebremicael claimed victory for herself and Scarpa in a video post on Wednesday. She wrote:

"We did it! I am the first Ethiopian/Eritrean elected official in NJ! Thank you to my parents, my son, family, friends, volunteers, campaign team, WO community and residents for believing in me and voting for me! I love you all and appreciate your support!"

Meanwhile, Barbee conceded the race in a social media message on Wednesday. He congratulated all the candidates in this year's election, including his former rivals:

"Congratulations to my friend Asmerette Ghebremicael and Susan Scarpa for their wins on the council. Collectively, with Ron Charles, we showed America how to run a clean race with absolutely no mud slinging. We respected, and at times, supported one another. So, on behalf of myself and Team Barbee, we honor you."

School Board Race

In the West Orange Board of Education race, there were three people running for two seats (terms last for three years): Gregory Tynes, Jennifer Tunnicliffe, and Robert Ivker.

With 36 of 37 districts reported, Tunnicliffe and Ivker held leads over Tynes as of Friday. Here are the unofficial results, according to the Essex County Clerk's Office:

• Gregory Tynes - 5,202 votes (28.61%)
• Jennifer Tunnicliffe - 7,228 votes (39.76%)
• Robert Ivker - 5,751 votes (31.63%)

Tunnicliffe posted a message claiming victory for herself and Ivker on Wednesday.

"Thank you, West Orange, for your support," Tunnicliffe wrote. "I will continue to work hard to ensure student success for all students. I also want to congratulate Robert Ivker on his election. I look forward to working with you over the next three years."

OTHER RACES

On the county level, West Orange voters chose a candidate for Essex County executive. Both candidates ran unopposed in the primary election: incumbent Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. (Democrat) and Adam Kraemer (Republican). Read More: See Essex County Executive 2022 Election Results: DiVincenzo vs. Kraemer

West Orange voters also cast a ballot for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The town was previously split between the 10th and the 11th districts, but was moved solely into the 10th district this year. Read More: NJ Redistricting Will Impact Future Elections In West Orange

In the 10th district, incumbent Donald Payne Jr. (Democratic Party) faces a challenge from David Pinckney (Republican Party), Kendal Ludden (Libertarian Party), and independent candidates Cynthia Johnson and Clenard Howard Childress Jr. Read More: NJ-10 Election Results: See Who Is Leading As Payne Defends His Seat

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