Mapp Mops Up

Councilwoman Bridget Rivers, Mayor-elect Adrian O. Mapp, Amelia Mapp

On his second try for the mayoral seat, Councilman Adrian O. Mapp wiped out the competition with an unofficial tally of 4,959.

"Maybe there was a reason for me to persevere through all those tough times," Mapp said to a jubilant crowd of supporters at Democratic headquarters on West Front Street.

Alluding to past factionalism among the Democrats, he said, "None of that matters now," and said he is ready to lead as of Jan. 1.

His closest competitor Tuesday was independent candidate Mustapha Muhammad, who garnered 1,018 votes. Republican Sandy Spector had 711 votes and independent D. Scott Belin trailed with 420 votes.

Tallying the votes by ward and district.
Mapp served as a councilman before becoming a Union County freeholder, but angered Regular Democratic Organization officials by retaining his chairmanship of the New Democrats. He lost his bid for a second freeholder term in 2007, but won the Third Ward council seat again in 2008, running off the party line with the backing of the New Democrats.

In 2009 he challenged the Democratic Party's mayoral choice, Sharon Robinson-Briggs, but lost. This year, Mapp won the June Democratic primary as the party's choice over Robinson-Briggs, although his new-found rapprochement with party leaders puzzled some.

Supporters watch the numbers coming in.
 Mapp expressed hope for a smooth transition and said he will respect every employee in City Hall. He said he would not extend an olive branch to the various factions, as a branch can break and fray, but will offer a "hand of friendship."

As the numbers on the tally board soared into the thousands, supporters cheered his definitive win.

"It's not about me, it's about the city. It's about all of us," he said.

He interrupted his remarks briefly to respond to a congratulatory phone call from former Gov. Jim McGreevey, a Plainfield resident.

Crediting "a partnership with so many people" for his win, he said," I have been planning for this day."

To the incumbent mayor, who seldom let him forget who won in 2009, he said, "We must work together on this transition."

Fourth Ward Councilwoman Bridget Rivers, a Democrat, won a second four-year term with 756 votes to Republican Barbara Johnson's 124. School board winners were Wilma Campbell with 2,290; Deborah Clarke with 1,442; and Frederick Moore Sr. with 1,393. Other totals were Anabella Melgar, 1,355; David Rutherford, 1,260; and Richard Lear, 1,019. All results are unofficial. County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi will certify the results next week.

--Bernice