MORRIS COUNTY — James Dodd, the former Mayor of Dover, has successfully made a comeback by winning the Democratic mayoral primary, defeating the incumbent who had previously unseated him four years ago.
| James Dodd | 778 |
| Carolyn Blackman | 382 |
| Edward Correa | 335 |
Dodd currently leads the Democratic mayoral primary, followed by Carolyn Blackman. However, it’s important to note that these results are unofficial due to the acceptance of mail-in ballots postmarked by June 7 but accepted until Tuesday, June 12. The final results will be determined once all the ballots have been properly accounted for and certified.
No petitions were filed for a Republican candidate in the mayoral race, indicating that there was no official Republican candidate competing in the election. As a result, the Democratic primary winner, James Dodd, may have a clearer path to victory in the general election.
Dover, a predominantly Hispanic town in Morris County, is known for its competitive elections featuring rival Democratic factions. Dodd initially assumed office as mayor in 2003 but encountered challenges in 2018 when Correa successfully orchestrated a takeover of the Democratic municipal committee. Subsequently, Blackman defeated Dodd in the following year’s election, becoming the town’s first Black and first female mayor.
Dodd faced hurdles in his bid to appear on the ballot this year, as opponents argued that his primary residence was in Fredon Township in Sussex County. Initially, the Acting Municipal Clerk, Reynaldo Julve, excluded Dodd from the ballot, but a Superior Court judge overturned that decision.
Dodd’s campaign received an overwhelming level of support from the community throughout the election process. The support he garnered played a significant role in his successful comeback in the Democratic mayoral primary.
For the Dover Board of Aldermen, there was no GOP challenger in Ward One. Two Democrats were running for the one, two-year seat. They are Claudia Toro and Jessica Cruz. Cruz is the incumbent. She received 148 votes to Toro’s 165 votes.
There were also three Democrats running in Ward Two.
They included incumbent Judith Rugg, Sergio Rodriguez, and Cindy Isaza. Rugg, the incumbent, received 98 votes. Rodriguez received 199 votes, while Isaza received 75 votes.
In Ward Three, no Republicans are running.
Incumbent Democrat Michael Scarneo is running for another term. He was challenged by John Londono in the Democratic primary. Scarneo was ahead with 178 votes to Londono’s 162.
In Ward Four, no Republicans are running.
The Democrats included incumbent Arturo Santana and Carlos Valencia, who ran against each other Tuesday.
Santana won with 178 votes to Valencia’s 79.
