Keep seats despite blue wave that sank many Republicans
VILLAS — A Republican sweep kept Lower Township Council red Nov. 3, despite the blue wave that swept across the country.
Voters re-elected Ward I Councilman Tom Conrad, Ward II Councilman Joseph Wareham and Ward III Councilman Roland Roy.
Lower Township Council is a partisan board with five members — mayor, one at-large member and three ward representatives. This year, the three ward positions were up for grabs.
Their victory came despite a “blue wave” that swept across the nation, with Democrats winning control of both the Senate and House of Representatives in what is seen as a widespread pushback against President Donald Trump and the GOP agenda.
Voter dissatisfaction was caused by escalating costs of everyday goods, heavy-handed immigration enforcement and the war in Iran.
Conrad, who was appointed to council in January 2007, ran unopposed for another term. He collected 1,514 votes, 98.57 percent, according to the Cape May County Votes website.
Wareham faced challenges in Ward II from Democrat Elizabeth Blair-Slemmer and Independent Caroline Rankovic.
Wareham was re-elected with 1,715 votes, or 53.51 percent. Blair-Slemmer received 1,372 votes, 42.81 percent, while Rankovic received 117 votes, 3.65 percent.
“It’s exciting and a lot of hard work; nobody wins an election by themselves,” Wareham said Nov. 4 in an interview with the Star and Wave. “It was a great effort from current council, residents, friends and family.”
Wareham added it was a difficult election, with two candidates running against him.
“Obviously, with [Zack] Mullock from our neighboring town running for Congress, it made it more difficult as he supported the Democrat candidates running against us,” he said.
Wareham, who has lived in the area for the past four decades, started serving in January 2025 when he was appointed to replace Kevin Coombs, who became deputy mayor.
“I’m thrilled to be on council for a four-year term; this is the third time I had to [run] in two and a half years, so I’m relieved to have that monkey off my back and not focus on an election at this time,” he said. “I’m really excited because I get to see the David Douglass Sr. Park Memorial start and get completed.”
In Ward III, Roy was challenged by Democrat Michelle Simmons, who ran on a ticket with Blair-Slemmer. Roy won with 1,971 votes, 58.4 percent, while Simmons came in at 1,401 votes, 41.51 percent.
“I would like to thank those who took part in the voting process that supported me for my re-election bid,” Roy told the Star and Wave Nov.4. “This position, along with the responsibility, I do not take lightly as by choosing to hold the position, I have a deep sense of obligation to those for which I serve.”
Roy added that the importance of the election became apparent when knocking on doors, hearing both support and complaints for his re-election bid.
“The degree of commitment and the progress being made will not fail as together, Council will hold up to its obligation,” he said. “I could not have done it alone; a big thank you to those who would walk with me and for those who helped spread the message that all helped to get me re-elected. To all who voted, I am sincerely grateful for your faith in the future and for your consideration.”
School boards
Kathleen Elwell, Patrick “Pat” Holden and Roy Abrams Jr. were elected to the Lower Cape May Regional School District Board of Education, which had three seats open.
Elwell, West Cape May’s representative, collected 400 votes, while Lower Township representatives Holden and Abrams collected 4,879 and 4,128, respectively.
Gary Douglass Sr., JoAnn McLaughlin and Lauren Cox were elected to the Lower Township School Board of Education. Douglass collected 4,282 votes, McLaughlin 3,892 and Cox 3,299.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
