Close race for Hunterdon, Sussex Sheriff

By Wally Edge | June 6th, 2007 - 2:38pm
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One of the closest four-way races in the state was in Hunterdon County, where Deborah Trout, a career law enforcement officer, defeated Freeholder Director George Muller by 91 votes, 30%-29%, in the Republican primary. Tony Critelli, who had the endorsement of Hunterdon County Republican Chairman Henry Kuhl, finished third with 25% -- 274 votes behind Muller. Gary "Buzz" Howell, who finished last, lost the election by just 912 votes.

In Sussex County, incumbent Robert Untig won renomination by just 151 votes over challenger Michael Strada. In a three way race, Untig received under 50% of the vote.

Trout and Critelli had filed harassment charges against the incumbent, William Doyle, who did not seek re-election.

Muller spent eighteen years, over two separate tenures, as a Freeholder -- and never had much trouble winning elections. But he was criticized in this race for having no law enforcement experience (his three rivals did) and aligned himself with anti-organization candidates for Freeholder. But he did have the endorsement of Hunterdon's ranking politician, Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance.

If she wins, Trout would become the third woman in state history to win election as a Sheriff. The first was Ruth Carpenter, also from Hunterdon, and the other is Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield.

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