Team Venezia Wins in Bloomfield

After a contentious election season, Michael Venezia is the next Mayor of Bloomfield.

According to the Essex County Clerk’s Office, the Democratic Councilman garnered 5,750 votes, 58.5 percent of Bloomfield voters who came out to the polls on Tuesday.

Republican Mayoral candidate Russ Mollica was able to draw 4,061 votes, accounting for 41.32 percent of Bloomfield residents who came to the polls.

Venezia’s slate shared in his success, with Council at large candidates Joe Lopez, Wartyna Davis and Carlos Pomares pulling in 5,276, 5,220 and 5,168 votes, respectively.

The Democrats’ tallies outpaced their Republican counterparts by significant margins, with Maribel Perez garnering 3,874 votes, Zachary Smith getting 3,736 and Peter Santana receiving 3,709.

Tension and loud accusations of dirty tricks and pay to play politics punctuated the election. High profile political figures including Governor Chris Christie, Senator Robert Menendez and then-Mayor Cory Booker made campaign stops in Bloomfield. While Venezia’s fellow council member Nicholas Joanow supported his campaign, Democratic Mayor Raymond McCarthy vocally opposed his candidacy.

Speaking with Patch shortly after the totals were counted, Venezia said he and is team were ecstatic at the final vote, which he said he expected to be closer. He attributed the victory to the campaign's positive plan for the future of the township. 

"We sent out a strong democratic message to the resident of Bloomfield," Venezia said.