Mundell, Tabares, Rojas, Aviles and Heller win in Bloomfield

Democrat and First Ward Councilwoman Jenny Mundell has been elected the first woman mayor of Bloomfield, outpolling her Republican opponent Dave Tucker with an unofficial vote tally of 8,590 to 4,424. 

Her running mate, Councilwoman Monica Charris Tabares, defeated Republican challenger Russell Mollica 8,409 to 4,456 for an at-large council seat. Both elections are for one year, completing an unexpired term. 

Mundell and Tabares will be sworn-in after the votes are certified. Chris Durkin, the Essex County Clerk, said the deadline for election certification is Nov. 25. 

“This does not mean that the election could not be certified sooner than the deadline,” he said. “Last year, the certification deadline was a week sooner, but because it is a presidential election and the increased number of provisional ballots, the state offers more time to certify results.”

In a statement, Mundell, a seven-year councilwoman, said she was grateful for and humbled by the support of the community and honored to be elected to serve as Bloomfield’s next mayor. 

“Thank you to everyone who took part in the Democratic process by coming out to vote, work the polls, and/or put themselves on the ballot,” she said. “I promise to serve our residents, as always, with the community in mind first and in ways that promote unity and resilience. “Congratulations as well to my running mate, Councilwoman Monica Charris Tabares, and to everyone who was elected this cycle,” she continued. “I wish them all much success in their service and look forward to working alongside you to make Bloomfield and our country a better place.

“Over the next year, I look forward to engaging across the region to explore, create, and activate viable solutions for stormwater management, completing repairs and upgrades to our beloved Children’s Library, finalizing and delivering a new master plan for the township, starting serious conversations about how we can support the board of education implement town-wide pre-K, ensuring transparency in our budgeting process and improving communications between the township and our residents.”

She addressed her historic victory. 

“Being the first woman elected to serve as mayor of our town, I hope to serve as a role model for girls AND boys who will now never not know that leadership at this level comes in all shapes and sizes.  

“I also hope to inspire others to get involved locally and encourage anyone who would like to ‘do something,’ especially now, to reach out to me. Whether by volunteering to serve on a local board or committee or taking part in town-sponsored programming, the things we do here at home are what strengthens our community, builds resilience and connects us on a larger stage,” she concluded.

In a telephone interview, Tabares, a former board of education member appointed to the council in February, said she was honored to continue working with Bloomfield and helping many more residents in the Spanish community.

“I’m ready to work,” she said, “I’m grateful to the businesses that have come out to help me, especially the Hispanic businesses. They came out and said, ‘We want to be part of what you’re doing.’”

Tabares said there was one “big thing” she wanted to accomplish and that was expanding pre-K services.

“Right now, there’s one location,” she said. “I want to find space or see what we can do to help the families. Right now we have just one school, Forest Glen, and that is mostly for special needs children.

“The average cost for a week of pre-school is $500,” she continued. “This is impacting families. They either pay or one parent goes to work and one stays home because this cost is so high. When that happens, the home becomes a one-income household.”

  bloomfield, Council, Mayor