Politics & Government

Bratti Back on Board for Scotch Plains Council

The Republican won by over 600 votes.

Scotch Plains Republican incumbent Dominick Bratti won't have to leave his seat on the township council.

Residents voted the Republican back for another year on Tuesday, giving him 3,950 votes over Democratic challenger Theresa Mullen's 3,349.

"I feel good; I'm happy," Bratti said Tuesday night from the county Republican party's celebration at Sun Tavern. "I think it's good that with the response to the whole sewer utility issue, people saw through it."

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Among those on hand to congratulate Bratti Tuesday night were former Scotch Plains Mayor Martin Marks; his running mate, Bo Vastine; Freeholder candidates Nicole Cole and Anthony Styko, and Surrogate candidate Arthur Zapolski.

Bratti said he hopes to continue the service he's already provided to the township during his past year on the board, but that he also plans to work to improve things in the coming year.

Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I want to make sure the whole budget process is smoother. I really want people to start working together," he said. "I really do listen to both sides."

During his acceptance speech, Bratti thanked his family for their support, particularly his two children, who helped him campaign.

"They were out walking hours on end for me on the weekend," Bratti said.

This was Mullen's second time running for council. Last year, she went up against Councilwoman Mary DePaola, scoring 47.8 percent to DePaola's 52 percent.

During a recent interview with Patch, Mullen said one of her primary reasons for running was her concern that "taxes continue to rise, more for-sale signs are going-up in neighborhoods, and business owners and our residents are facing mounting rising costs."

"We need to keep Scotch Plains affordable so our cherished seniors, loyal business owners and many long-time residents are not forced to leave town," Mullen said.

Here are the rest of the results for the township:

Governor:

Corzine: 3,274

Christie: 4,185

Daggett: 594

Assembly:

Green: 3,070

Stender: 3,335

Marks: 4,408

Vastine: 4,070

Freeholder:

Mirabella: 3,299

Scanlon: 3,137

Jalloh: 2,989

Sytko: 3,874

Cole: 4,020

Surrogate:

LaCorte: 3,269

Zapolski: 3,830

State Question:

Yes: 2,294

No: 2,720


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