Updated with comments from Christina Thomas, Eileen Birmingham and Rahum Williams
Montclair’s council elect: Renee Baskerville (Mayor), Susan Shin Andersen (Councilor At Large), Carmel Loughman (Councilor at Large), Erik D’Amato (First Ward), Eileen Birmingham (Second Ward), Rahum Williams (Third Ward) and Aminah Toler (Fourth Ward).
When Montclair residents voted Tuesday, they elected a brand new council and made history.
Montclair voted to elect the town’s first Black woman mayor, former Fourth Ward Councilor Dr. Renee Baskerville. Montclair also elected its first Asian American council member. Susan Shin Andersen received the most votes of any at large candidate. Women make up the majority of Montclair’s new council, five out of seven members.
One place Montclair didn’t make history was with voter turnout. Essex County clerk’s initial results show some 6,373 residents voted on Tuesday. In 2020, when everyone received a mail-in ballot because of the pandemic, the turnout was 10, 748. In 2012, when there was a three-way race for mayor, turnout was just over 8,000.
Victory for Baskerville
At an election night party, State Senator Britnee Timberlake called Baskerville a “woman who has broken the glass ceiling.”
Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill also spoke of the evening’s significance and what a Baskerville win represents.
“How you treat people means something,” Gill said, standing beside Baskerville. “Not only did we make history here tonight in Montclair. We also validated what’s in the best tradition of this community which is how we treat people, how we treat people we disagree with. It’s important. I know Dr. Baskerville, when you put your hand on that bible and become mayor, that all those years of experience, all that involvement in the community, you will represent us.”
“I am so overwhelmed,” said Baskerville, speaking to a cheering crowd. “We have been down this path before. And here we are. If not for all of you, none of this would have happened. My journey always includes all of you.”
“We have to restore trust in this community because we know there is very little of that left,” Baskerville added. “Our goal is to uplift the community and restore their hope.”
Tuesday’s celebration was a long time coming for Baskerville. Four years ago, in the midst of a pandemic, she lost an incredibly close race for mayor to Sean Spiller. This time around, Baskerville defeated Christina Thomas, who had previously run with Baskerville’s team in 2020 as a Second Ward candidate.
Baskerville told Montclair Local she was also proud to be the first woman mayor ever elected by Montclair residents. Montclair has had only one woman mayor before Baskerville. Mary Mochary, who served from 1980-1984, was selected as mayor by her fellow council members.
Fourth Ward Councilor David Cummings also had praise for Baskerville. “I think this is a good result. Renee is somebody who dedicated her life to this community. And I think she will bring integrity. And that’s all you can ask. I think this council has an opportunity to take Montclair a lot further than the council I was in.”
A Brand New Council
Shin Andersen watched the results at a small gathering with her campaign team.
“I am honored and feel incredibly humbled to serve as councilor at large. I am also proud to be the first Asian American elected to the Council or any office in Montclair’s 156-year history,” she said.
Shin Andersen offered congratulations to the other elected councilors, “including my Together Montclair running mates Dr. Renee Baskerville and Rahum Williams, and to everyone else who stepped up and ran their own hard-fought campaigns. Thanks to everyone who came out and cast a vote. I now ask you to join us as we get to work building a better future.”
The five members of Montclair’s Good Government Team were together at Tierney’s Tuesday to watch the election results. Two members of the team won their races: Carmel Loughman (At Large) and Aminah Toler (Fourth Ward).
“I’m interested in our budget and finance. We have a lot of capital projects that need to get into the pipeline. They need funding,” Loughman told Montclair Local. Speaking of the new council, “It’s not exactly what I thought it would be. But it’s going to be fun getting to know them. I’ve never worked with many of them, but I’m excited to see how it goes.”
“I will do everything in my power to ensure residents remain our customers,” said Toler of her Fourth Ward constituents. Moving forward, some of the issues at town hall will have to be addressed by the new council. I look forward to working with the ones elected to approach hot topic issues amicably and in a harmonious manner.”
Erik D’Amato, who ran as an independent candidate in the First Ward, received close to 60% of votes cast, defeating Shivaun Gaines.
“To be honest I was kind of dreading the prospect of running. But it turned out to be quite fun and uplifting, especially walking our beautiful streets and talking with so many warm, curious and witty residents,” said D’Amato. “I also consider myself lucky to have gotten to spend time with all the different candidates. I want to give a shout out to those whom fortune didn’t favor this time: Ilmar, Pat, Roddy, Shivaun, Wendy, Zina, and of course Chrissy and Bob, who will always be indispensable advocates for all of us.”
“I am grateful to my fellow candidates for stepping up for Montclair, including Ilmar Vanderer, whose lifelong devotion to Montclair is an inspiration,” said Eileen Birmingham who received the most votes in the Second Ward. “The campaign has been busy, and I know that the real work is beginning. I look forward to joining with my fellow councilors to serve the town of Montclair. I feel so lucky to live in our town and I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute.”
Rahum Williams, in a post on social media, acknowleded his late mother Martha Williams as his inspiration for becoming a public servant, adn thanked his wife for her support.
“To everyone that had kind words, constructive criticism, held meet and greets for me, told me about or invited me to events, put up my lawn signs on their property, displayed my poster in their store window, helped distribute my campaign literature, gave me a moment of their time to hear about my platform, donated to my campaign and to those that ultimately voted for me, thank you,” Williams wrote.
A Campaign Ends
“A campaign is when you find out who your real true friends are,” said Ilmar Vanderer at Tierney’s. Vanderer lost to Eileen Birmingham, who received 72% of the vote in the Second Ward. It was the largest victory of any candidate. Vanderer said he wouldn’t have done anything differently in his campaign. He mentioned the many blocks he walked and the many people he was able to get to know.
“It is what it is. It was a tight one, it was fun. But it wasn’t fun,” laughed Roddy Moore, speaking of his loss to Rahum Williams, for the Third Ward council seat. Moore also expressed thanks for all the support he received.
Wendy Tiburcio didn’t win her bid for Third Ward councilor, but she raised awareness as a Latina candidate. Tiburcio, at Baskerville’s party Tuesday, said she was happy with the race she ran.
“I got to represent a diverse perspective in Montclair, a diverse view and Latinos in Montclair. I’m proud. Even though I didn’t win, I still won, just by getting to know so many wonderful people. I’m incredibly proud of Rahum. He will be wonderful, and I am proud to call him my Third Ward councilor.”
Bob Russo wasn’t smiling Tuesday. The only incumbent who ran, Russo was not re-elected as councilor at large, after serving for 12 years. Russo took credit for the two wins on his Montclair Good Government team.
“I won the Montclair election. Not in title or numbers, but by removing all incumbents I fought against for the last three years,” Russo said. “I certainly helped elect some good new people to clean up the mess left by the current mayor and council.”
On Thursday, Christina Thomas sent a concession statement where she thanked her team and the more than 3,000 residents who voted for her, and congratulated the winners.
“Thanks to you, no longer will people who had eyes set on higher office be in power. Montclair must remain outside the reach of people who abuse power and believe they are above the law. Our recovery from the last four years will take some time. We must never let that happen again. Councilors must be public servants, not politicians. The focus on Montclair’s finances and excellence resumes under the leadership of Renee Baskerville, Carmel Loghman, Susan Shin Anderson, Erik D’Amato, Eileen Birmingham, Rahum Williams and Aminah Toler. You are now Team Montclair, and I have no doubt that your ability to communicate with our stakeholders through monthly Ward Meetings and updates will improve the way Montclair does business, lifting morale, not only at Town Hall, but throughout our community,” Thomas wrote.
Here we go, Russo making it about himself! Good riddance! Hope the incoming council does the residents and the employees right. Make good decisions and don’t play politics!