Mancuso Ousts Goldberg in Morris Township

With all votes tallied, Morris Township committee member Ron Goldberg has conceded the election to his challenger, former Mayor Peter V. Mancuso.

"We've gotten final numbers," Goldberg, a Democrat, said Tuesday night. "It looks like we got beaten pretty badly."

Standing on a table at the Morris County Democratic Committee Headquarters in Morristown, he told supporters: "Let's keep it up. We will be able to do this again, I'm sure. We will do it because it needs to be done."

Goldberg called himself a "watchdog" on the otherwise all-Republican committee. Had he won re-election, he would have become the first Democrat in township history to do so.

Mancuso could not be reached for comment by Patch Tuesday night. He is well-known in the township, having served as mayor from 1982 to 1983 and as a committee member from 1979 to 1987, according to a profile published on the Morris Township GOP's website. He also served as police commissioner and chairman of the finance committee.

Mancuso, a 43-year resident of Morris Township, enjoyed a long professional career in the securities business. He was a specialist member of the New York Stock Exchange, a governor of the NYSE and a member of multiple exchange committees.

The committeeman-elect has been involved with many civic and arts organizations over the years, including the Community Theatre, Morris Museum, Colonial Symphony and Museum of Early Trades and Crafts. He acted as chairman of the popular Morris Township Day Carnival at Ginty Field for 16 years. 

The carnival became an issue in the campaign when Goldberg accused Mancuso of shady dealings.

"Mancuso headed a 'charity' that was mired in mismanagement and hid its financial transactions," read a Goldberg campaign mailer. A response mailer from the Mancuso camp shot back, "Goldberg has sunk to a new low with his malicious and personal attacks against our friend and neighbor."