Gardner Concedes To Drumm In Woodbridge 1st Ward Primary Race

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Ken Gardner has conceded in his attempt to unseat Nancy Bader Drumm in the primary for Woodbridge's First Ward Council seat.

Mail-in ballots have now been counted, and the vote count as of Wednesday is now Drumm 716 votes, Gardner 444, according to Woodbridge municipal Clerk John Mitch.

On Tuesday night, Drumm was only ahead by 61 votes, but that was only per machine votes. Mail-in ballots, which people have been sending in for weeks but are not opened until after polls close, gave Drumm a much bigger lead.

There are still some mail-in votes that have yet to be counted, but their number is very unlikely to affect Drumm's 268-vote lead. Mail-in votes can be accepted 48 hours after polls close.

Gardner conceded Wednesday afternoon.

"Family concerns put my campaign on hold until the end of March," he said. "And 80 percent of the mail-ins were returned before I was able to dedicate time to the campaign. Congrats and best wishes to Councilwoman Drumm. I will always be here for Woodbridge Township."

Drumm will face Republican John Vrtaric in November. Woodbridge is a predominantly Democratic town.

Gardner's chief issue is development, or overdevelopment in Woodbridge, something he says Drumm has enabled in her eight years on the town Council. She also sits on the Woodbridge Planning Board.

Throughout the election, Drumm has not returned any of Patch's requests for comments.

The vote will be certified and made official once all mail-in ballots are returned, explained Clerk Mitch.

Prior: Drumm Ahead By 61 Votes In Woodbridge First Ward Primary

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