Democrats Kelley, Rodgers, Schmidt Win Caldwell Election
CALDWELL, NJ — According to the unofficial election results provided by the Essex County Clerk’s Office, Democrats John T. Kelley, Frank Rodgers and Christine Schmidt have been selected to serve as mayor and borough council in the 2018 elections. Kelley is the elected mayor and Rodgers and Schmidt will fill the two open seats on the council.
The unofficial results determined that Kelley pulled ahead of incumbent opponent Ann Dassing with only 4 percent of the vote (total 1,306 votes, 52.03 percent). Dassing tallied a total of 1,203 votes, or 47.93 percent, in comparison.
“We ran a very thorough campaign.” said Kelley. “The results from our campaigning are a testament to the enthusiasm that we saw from each of the residents. We are very excited and happy to begin making changes in office. We recognize and respect all the efforts of the current office and thank Mayor Ann Dassing and council.”
Kelley, a 20-year resident of Caldwell, is a certified public accountant who is currently employed as a controller for a New York City-based company that owns parking garages in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. He was born in Oklahoma and was raised between Texas and Pennsylvania. Kelley, who has a degree in accounting from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh is married to Susan and his two children, Johnny and Meredith. His children, both college graduates, were educated locally at Trinity Academy, St. Peter’s Preparatory School and Mount St. Dominic Academy.
“My wife and I are so thankful we found Caldwell for our family,” said Kelley. “The sense of community is real and our family found happiness here and we know that we are not alone.”
Rodgers who is serving his third term on the council was pleasantly surprised by the results and is excited for good things to come as serving on the side of the majority.
The results of this election are not considered official until they are certified by the state.