Politics & Government
Woodruff and Kingsley Defeat Challenger in Republican Primary for Township Council
Berkeley Heights Democrats Favor UCDC over Democrats for Change in Freeholder Race
Incumbent Councilman Robert “Bob” Woodruff and running mate Jeanne Kingsley defeated Carol Matula in the Republican primary for two seats on the Berkeley Heights Township Council. Kingsley led the three candidates with 554 votes, while Woodruff received 527 votes. Matula received 255 votes.
Jeanne Kingsley has been involved in the Berkeley Heights community through the G.L. P.T.O., Hughes P.T.O., G.L. Booster Club and is a trustee for the Berkeley Heights Education Foundation. Kingsley has been a resident of Berkeley Heights for 15 years. She is a CPA, with her professional experience being concentrated in the area of finance and strategic planning.
A 35-year resident of Berkeley Heights, attorney Bob Woodruff is currently serving on the Township Council after being selected to finish the term of Joe Bruno, when Bruno was elected mayor. Woodruff also served as interim mayor in 2010.
Democratic candidates for Township Council Jamie Divine Cadavid and Stephen Yellin ran unopposed, with the candidates receiving 177 and 190 votes, respectively.
“Jamie and I are pleased to advance to the general election and to face Woodruff and Kingsley in the fall. We look forward to a positive but spirited debate on the issues facing our town today,” said Yellin, the only candidate who anxiously awaited the primary results at Town Hall due to a concern over write-in votes.
Berkeley Heights Democrats strongly favored the establishment candidates of the Union County Democratic Committee, Angel Estrada, Christopher Hudak and Vernell Wright, over the Democrats for Change candidates Marlene J. Abitanto, Erna Letemps and Elcy Castillo Ospina. The Union County Democratic Committee candidates received over three times the votes of the Democrats for Change candidates in Berkeley Heights.