UPDATED: Mayor Robinson Wins Reelection

Updated with county results at 7:05 Wednesday morning. See the full results here.

Incumbent Republican Mayor David Robinson won re-election in a resounding fashion against his Democratic challenger, Kevin Illing, by an official tally of 973 votes.

Illing conceded soon after the unofficial results were tallied. Even though at the time the mail-in votes had yet to be counted, the Democrats held out little hope of catching up. As the results became clear, applause erupted at the Garlic Rose Restaurant where Robinson's supporters had been gathering since 7 p.m., an hour before polls officially closed in Cranford.

Robinson will remain mayor until January, when the town committee will choose the next mayor and deputy mayor of Cranford.

He said he was pleased with the election result and looks forward to continuing his work on the town committee.

"We got three more years ahead of us, continuing to introduce competition wherever we can to help Cranford taxpayers," Robinson said. "It's great to be mayor. We're going to continue to work just as hard. We're going to scrutinize every line item that's there."

The newly-reelected mayor said he hopes to work with transparency to continue the progress the committee has made in recent years.

"We're going to continue to seek creative ways to move projects forward here in Cranford and doing it not on the backs of the taxpayers, but with public/private partnerships and finding other creative ways to move these things through," he added.

He thanked his family and his supporters for his assistance throughout the campaign.

"It was a tremendous team effort," he said.

Illing said he expects to continue to make contributions to the Cranford community.

"I hope to stay involved," he said. "I wish him (Robinson) the best."

Even if not reappointed to the planning committee, Illing said he will continue to work toward the restoration of Cranford's historic Droescher Mill.

Illing is unsure of the prospects of running for office in Cranford in the future.

"It's way too soon to think about," Illing said.

Mark Smith, deputy mayor and commissioner of public works and engineering, said Robinson's re-election was a confirmation of the public's support of the work of the committee.

"We're doing it right, we're getting things done," Smith said. "We're looking out for the interests of the town and we're trying to bring the community together."

Robinson brings a lot of admirable attributes to the committee, he said.

"He brings leadership, integrity, intelligence," he said. "He's a very talented individual."

He also spoke highly of Robinson's commitment to the committee and the community.

"He's never missed a meeting in three years," Smith added. "It's amazing."

Ed Helmstetter, a Robinson supporter, said the re-elected mayor's appeal surpassed party lines.

"The reason I voted for him had nothing to do with the party," Helmstetter said. "His views very much parallel mine."

Voting for Robinson was a decision that came relatively easy for Helmstetter.

"He's perfect for the job," he said. "It's a no brainer to vote for him."

This election saw a turnout of about 54 percent of registered voters in Cranford. Click here to see how Cranford voted in the freeholder and governor elections.