Williams Wins Primary

Rebecca Williams and City Council President Annie McWilliams celebrate the New Democrat candidate's victory Tuesday.

Unofficial results from two campaigns Tuesday showed New Democrat Rebecca Williams as the winner over incumbent Councilman Rashid Burney in the primary contest for the Second and Third Ward at-large line in the November general election. Former Councilman Don Davis came in third, according to the unofficial reports.

"The people of Plainfield have demonstrated that they need new leadership that comes from the ground up, and that is what I hope to provide if I'm elected in November," Williams said at her campaign headquarters after the polls closed.

She will face Republican James Pivnichny on the Nov. 2 ballot.

No independents filed for either of the two Plainfield City Council races Tuesday, according to the Elections Division of the Union County Clerk's Office.

Asked to speak on what became a contentious and at times vitriolic campaign season, Williams said, "Candidates are ultimately responsible for the tone of their campaign and anyone who presumes to speak on their behalf. I signed off on every piece of literature that came out from my campaign. That was focused on my opponent's record, and the people of Plainfield responded."

--Bernice Paglia