Dems remain in control in No. Bruns.

Although the Republican candidates came close, the Democratic Party in North Brunswick prevailed as residents elected incumbent Carlo Socio and newcomer Shanti Narra to the Township Council on Nov. 3.

Carlo Socio Socio and Narra received 4,482 and 4,062 votes, respectively, while Republicans Mary Chyb and Jordan Rickards had 3,623 and 3,496 votes, respectively.

"Nine years ago [current Mayor Francis] Mac [Womack] and I turned some heads and surprised a lot of people," Socio said of his initial run for the council.

"It's very humbling, really," Socio said of being elected to his fourth three-year term. "Residents realize this isn't an easy time. My approach has always been to tackle any issue head-on … and I've always been straightforward."

Former Democratic Committeewoman Narra attributed her win to residents "realizing a lot of my years were involved in the successful Democratic team, and maybe they realized I'm a pragmatist; and facing some very tough times, they think I can come up with some creative solutions.

Shanti Narra "I am very grateful for the opportunity North Brunswick residents have given me, and I am going to work very hard to make them proud of me," the solo law practitioner said.

Socio and Narra said they will both be focusing on budget issues while maintaining services, and Narra said her main goals will be to bring in more ratables and find more efficient ways to save money.

The Democratic Committee acknowledged the general frustration in the state with Gov. Jon S. Corzine, who was defeated by Republican Chris Christie, and with the ongoing recession.

"There is dissatisfaction throughout the county and state with our tax system and with the situation everyone is in; the economy is so tight across the board. That translates into a tight race. I'm grateful the people of North Brunswick had faith to bring me back again," Socio said.

This dissatisfaction resulted in a very close race by the Republicans.

"Unfortunately, North Brunswick is not representative of the state, and we're out of sync with the sentiment of the rest of the state," Chyb said. "But this is showing a direction favorable toward Republicans … from previous years.

"But more importantly are the wonderful people in North Brunswick that I met during this campaign, and I would like to focus on that," she added.

Rickards agreed, saying that a 2-to-1 Democratic victory last year was reduced to about a 10 percent margin this year, although he said 50 percent of the town "is still happy with the status quo."

"Rome wasn't built in a day, but we are very happy with the progress we've made," he said, expressing great respect for and congratulations to Socio and Narra. "This town is big enough for Republicans and Democrats, and I think time will prove that."

Despite her loss, Chyb said she was pleased with Christie being named the new governor, and said, "To me, that's a tremendous success because the people who make the most decisions in New Jersey got elected."

On a side note, the vacant seat left open by Councilwoman Rhonda Lyles became an emotional subject during the Democrats' victory. Lyles broke down as she thanked the mayor and council for their support over her two terms on the board.

"It has been very enjoyable, and I will be around. I am going to miss everybody, but I am sure Shanti will pick up and do an excellent job for us all," she said. "I hope everyone keeps supporting the team."

Narra responded by saying, "I know I have some big shoes to fill and I will work to make people happy that they got someone half as good as Rhonda to take her place."

Lyles, who was the first African American woman elected to the council, is now superseded by Narra, who is the first Indian American and one of only a handful of Southeast Asian representatives in the state.

"When we came to this country in 1970, we didn't have any relatives in this country … and my father used to tell me and my brother when we were growing up, 'Don't worry, we made a family for you,' " Narra said, reflecting on her late father, who she said was a proud North Brunswick resident and an even prouder Democrat who would have loved to see one of his children "do more than just vote."

"I'm so proud of the opportunity I got," Narra said, "and I really look forward to not only Indians but to other people to really get involved in municipal government in their towns."

The council members will be sworn in to their positions during a reorganization meeting Jan. 1.

Linwood Middle School held a mock election prior to Nov. 3. The results were: Jon Corzine, 196 votes, Chris Christie, 134, and Chris Daggett, 44, for the sixth grade. For one class of seventh-grade students, the results were Corzine, 38 votes, Christie, 23, and Daggett, 13.

The Vote 2009 Mock Election results from the New Jersey State Legislature Office of Legislative Services show that out of the statewide total of 3,317 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students from 28 schools, the vote was 1,531 for Corzine, 1,197 for Christie, 570 for Daggett and 19 for "other."

Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@gmnews.com.