Michael Wildes Wins Englewood Mayor Election

ENGLEWOOD, NJ — Michael Wildes was elected the city's next mayor Tuesday.

The win means a return to local politics for Wildes, a Democrat, who served two terms on the City Council and two as mayor, from 2004 to 2010. He defeated Dierdre Paul, a Republican, and Ragbir, who ran as an independent.

Wildes claims that during his time as mayor Englewood experienced "progress" and "prosperity." According to Wildes, taxes were stable, neighborhoods were safer and the city's business district "thrived."

"Englewood is a city in crisis, and I can't stand by and watch residents continue to be punished by yet another major tax increase and financial mismanagement," Wildes said in a statement two weeks after he declared his candidacy in March. "We must return to an effective local government that works for residents, and I believe that the key missing ingredient is strong leadership at the top. I owe so much to the City of Englewood, more than I could ever repay, and I once again feel called to serve the community by working to put our government back on the right track."

Wildes is manager partner of Wildes and Weinberg, an immigration law firm. Previously, he was a federal prosecutor and auxiliary New York City Police officer. He has lived in Englewood for more than 25 years with his wife Amy and their four children.

Incumbent Charles Cobb was re-elected to the council's lone at-large seat. He ran against Glenn Coley, who ran on the New Direction ticket.

Juan Berrios, Donovan Rodriques, and Molly Craig-Berry won the Board of Education election. Molly Craig-Berry and George Carrison III were the only two incumbents running this year.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Englewood Mayor-elect Michael Wildes. (Courtesy of Michael Wildes)