BLOOMFIELD - Complete area results of Nov. 2, 2010 General Election regarding the mayor's race here may still be wanting in an otherwise return of most incumbents.

Essex County Clerk Christopher J. Durkin said to Local Talk late Nov. 2 that he would be personally counting the 30 emergency ballots and another 140 provisional ballots regarding the race between Raymond J. McCarthy and John Lazar. Counting those 170 ballots may determine whether incumbent Democrat McCarthy receives a third term or if challenging Republican Lazar gets his first term.

McCarthy, as of Durkin's 10:55 p.m. Nov. 2 posting, is leading Lazar by 155 votes, 5,611-5,456, with all 35 township polling stations reporting.

West Orange voters have meanwhile chosen Joe Krakoviak over incumbent Dr. Ernardo Webster, Jr. and challenger Ronald Charles to fill out the remainder of now-mayor Robert Parisi's council term.

The McCarthy-Lazar squeaker and Krakoviak's upset of Webster are the only results that have not played to statewide predictions Voters returned incumbents in 12 of New Jersey's 13-member U.S. Congressional House of Representatives delegation.

In addition to the Bloomfield mayoral figures, all of the above and below results are unofficial until at least Nov. 16. Durkin would certify the Nov. 2 results barring any recounts or challenges that may be brought before him during the intervening fortnight.

Registered Local Talk voters joined those across the country to pick who will be in the 435-member House of Representatives. On a national scale, the Republican Party gained 40 seats to attain a 218-215 majority over the Democrats when the 112th Congress convenes in January.

New Jersey's delegation will have newcomer Republican John Runyon represent the Third Congressional District after defeating incumbent Democrat John Adler. Adler's campaign manager was accused for funding a fictional "Tea Party" third candidate to draw votes away from the former NFL Philadelphia Eagles player. Observers of the Southern New Jersey scene have indicated, however, that Adler's term was a two-year interruption of the Third district's almost 100-year occupancy by Republicans.

Incumbent Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-Paterson) was selected over Republican Challenger Roland Straten by a two-to-one ratio for the Eighth Congressional District seat. Independent Raymond Giagrasso rounded out the field.

Incumbent Donald Payne, Sr. (D-Newark) was given a nearly 10:1 plurality over Republican Michael J. Alonso in the 10th District. Independents Robert Louis Toussaint and Joanne Miller also received votes.

Payne and Pascrell's names headlined posters of county and Bloomfield candidates were seen on the walls of the township's Democratic headquarters at 570 Broad St. Nov. 2. Similar signs were found at the township's Republican headquarters two blocks south. Neither congressman appeared at the headquarters nor at the Cafe Turano victory celebration across the street.

Albio Sires (D-West New York) was re-elected to the 13th District seat by an 8:1 plurality ration over Republican challenger Henrietta Dwyer. Independents Anthony Zanowic and Maximo Gomez Nacer also drew votes.

Although no U.S. Senatorial seats in New Jersey were on the ballot, national Democrats retained a majority in that 105-seat body over the Republicans, who gained six seats. The House-Senate split majorities may mean more difficulties for President Barack H. Obama's administration to pass legislation.

The only statewide measure was a public question amending the New Jersey Constitution to dedicate payroll deductions to the unemployment insurance fund. Essex County voters approved the dedication on a 7:1 plurality.

Joseph N. DiVincenzo (D-Nutley) was re-elected to an unprecedented third consecutive Essex County Executive term. The Newark native received a 7:1 plurality over Republican challenger Herbert J. Glenn. "We the People" candidate Marilynn English drew over three percent of the vote.

DiVincenzo's victory was no surprise to the 150 who crowded into 570 Broad St. Many were campaign workers, municipal officials and county employees who crowded into the former AMC car dealer, shoe store and exercise gym after 8 p.m.

"I've had served with three county executives and 'Joe D' shows up to work for the county's resident's every day," said state Assembly Speaker Shelia Oliver (D-East Orange) before the revelers. There was a time when the county bar association sued the county over conditions in the old courthouse.

"Now look at the restored courthouse, Hall of Records and the LeRoy Smith Court Building," continued Oliver. "And look at the parks. I'm proud to work with Joe D. and will stand by him."

"This is not my victory but a victory for the 4,000 people who work for 800,000 county residents every day," said DiVincenzo. "From the day I was first elected as freeholder in 1990, I'm thinking about what's best for Essex County. One thing I've done is that every one of the 22 municipalities' mayors and governors has a seat at the county table."

DiVincenzo, without asking, assigned employment opportunities as his top priority for his third term.

"We got to get people back to work," said DiVincenzo. "You should see the lines coming into 50 S. Clinton St. (East Orange) every day. It's not an urban thing - it's throughout the county and nation."

Durkin (D-West Caldwell) was re-elected by a 70:1 plurality over Republican Marcella A. Wilson. Nov. 2 was unusual for Durkin since he was shuttling between his Hall of Records second floor office and the board of elections office on the fourth. Durkin, stopped in a hallway 6 p.m., explained that he uses the state Constitution to separate his candidacy from his job.

"There's a heavier than usual voting for an off-year election," observed clerk Durkin of the 33-percent voter turnout. "There's a lot of anger, especially in the suburbs, against incumbents. There have been no unusual voting machine problems."

"I'm proud to be standing with my mentor tonight," later said candidate Durkin. "Joe D. has worked hard for Essex County."

Durkin, DiVincenzo and Oliver turned the podium over to McCarthy and his Line A team. All also praised former municipal candidate Peter Strumolo for his managing the party's campaign.

"We're going to enjoy ourselves tonight with three council victories," announced Strumolo from the former car service desk where 120 people huddled for results. "Right now (8:49 p.m.) McCarthy's ahead of Lazar by some 50 votes. While I'm confident we'll get a majority of the absentee votes, there are 30 emergency ballots to be counted."

McCarthy, along with council running mates Bernard Hamilton, Michael Venezia and Margaret "Peggy" O'Boyle-Dunigan, took handshakes and hugs in the showroom.

"This has been the dirtiest campaign I've been in - but we kept our pride when the going got rough," said McCarthy. "The biggest problem we've had has been from the doubters in our own party- but I thank those who came over from the other side. Now's the time to welcome all Bloomfielders to put down their Democrat, Republican and Independent politics and work together for the township."

McCarthy was referring to the springtime primary, where voters eventually chose Line A over the Councilwoman Pat Spchyala-led Line B. The Lazar-led Republicans meanwhile posted "103-percent tax increases over the last nine years" signs on their storefront.

Hamilton, the first African American to be councilman, is to receive a third term. He and McCarthy are to be joined in the Jan. 1 inauguration by former councilwoman O'Boyle-Dunigan and former board of education member Michael Venezia.

"The last few days were tiring but I must have knocked on 9,000 doors," said Venezia. "There's no better way than knocking on doors, meeting and talking with your neighbors."

While the crowd huddled around Strumolo's desk for returns, they had also learned that Webster had lost his West Orange Township Council seat to Krakoviak. Dr. Webster was a longtime Newark Public Schools administrator who was the object of a draft movement by city parents for Superintendent of Schools in 2008. Parisi had appointed Webster July 1 when voters elected the former as Assemblyman John McKeon's mayoral successor last spring.

Maplewood Township voters chose Democrat Marlton K. Brownlee for committeeman over Republican Bartholomew A. Albini.

Glen Ridgers approved incumbent Stewart Patrick and newcomer David Lefovitz for the two borough council seats. The duo ran unopposed.