Editing Kenilworth, New Jersey (section)

==Government==

===Local government===
Kenilworth is governed under the [[Borough (New Jersey)|borough]] form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.<ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf ''Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601184216/https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf |date=June 1, 2023 }}, [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected [[at-large]] on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.<ref name=DataBook>''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', [[Rutgers University]] [[Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy]], March 2013, p. 90.</ref> The borough form of government used by Kenilworth is a "[[weak mayor]] / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can [[veto]] ordinances subject to an [[veto override|override]] by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.<ref>Cerra, Michael F. [https://www.njlm.org/809/3982/Forms-of-Govt-Magazine-Article "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask"], [[New Jersey State League of Municipalities]], March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref><ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=6 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604040836/https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=6 |date=June 4, 2023 }}, p. 6. [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

{{As of|2025}}, the [[mayor]] of Kenilworth is [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] Linda Karlovitch, serving a four-year term of office ending December 31, 2027. Members of the Kenilworth Borough Council are Council President Savino Scorese ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 2025), Patrick Boyle (D, 2026), Joseph Finistrella (R, 2027), Toni Giordano Picerno (D, 2026), William Mauro (R, 2025), and Douglas Piper (R, 2027).<ref>{{cite web |title=Kenilworth 2025 Reorganization Meeting to Take Place Jan. 2 |url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/kenilworth/sections/government/articles/kenilworth-2025-reorganization-meeting-to-take-place-jan-2 |website=TAPinto Kenilworth |access-date=January 18, 2025 |date=January 2, 2025}}</ref><ref name=ElectedOfficials>[https://www.kenilworthborough.com/197/Mayor-Council Mayor & Council], Borough of Kenilworth. Accessed January 4, 2024.</ref><ref name=UnionOfficials>[http://www.unioncountyvotes.com/elected-officials/ ''Union County Elected Officials''], [[Union County, New Jersey]] Clerk. Accessed January 18, 2025.</ref><ref name=Union2024>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Union/122834/web.345435/#/summary General Election November 5, 2024 Official Results], [[Union County, New Jersey]], updated November 22, 2024. Accessed January 18, 2025.</ref><ref name=Union2023>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Union/119032/web.317647/#/summary General Election November 7, 2023 Official Results], [[Union County, New Jersey]], updated November 22, 2023. Accessed January 3, 2024.</ref><ref name=Union2022>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Union/116135/web.303253/#/summary General Election November 8, 2022 Official Results], [[Union County, New Jersey]], updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref>

In August 2020, the borough council appointed Louis DeMondo to fill the seat expiring in December 2021 that had been vacated the previous month following the resignation of Robert Schielke.<ref>[[David Wildstein|Wildstein, David]]. [https://newjerseyglobe.com/local/kenilworth-democrats-name-demondo-to-vacant-council-seat/ "Kenilworth Democrats name Demondo to vacant council seat Elizabeth police officer fills Schielke seat"], New Jersey Globe, August 26, 2020. Accessed August 27, 2020. "Louis Demondo, an Elizabeth police officer and the former president of the Hispanic Law Enforcement Association of Union County, was appointed tonight to fill the Kenilworth Borough Council seat vacated last month by Robert Schielke."</ref> In November 2020, Joseph Finistrella was elected to serve the balance of the term of office, defeating DeMondo.

In January 2020, the borough council appointed Daniel Lopez to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Linda Karlovitch until she resigned from her council seat to take office as mayor.<ref>Cuppari, Telina. [https://www.tapinto.net/towns/kenilworth/sections/government/articles/kenilworth-reorganization-meeting-swears-in-new-mayor-and-council "Kenilworth Reorganization Meeting Swears in New Mayor and Council"], TAP into Kenilworth, January 9, 2020. Accessed February 25, 2020. "Four members of the community were sworn into the council. Linda Karlovitch as the Mayor of Kenilworth, Kay Ceceri as Councilwoman, and Daniel Lopez and Mark David as Councilmen. Lopez is new and was appointed to the vacant seat."</ref>

In May 2016, the borough council again appointed Scott Pentz, this time to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been vacated by Brian Joho when he resigned from office.<ref>[http://kenilworthborough.com/docs/councilminutes/2016/052516.pdf Mayor and Council Regular Meeting Minutes for May 25, 2016] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810043712/http://kenilworthborough.com/docs/councilminutes/2016/052516.pdf |date=August 10, 2016 }}, Borough of Kenilworth. Accessed August 4, 2016. "Whereas, a vacancy occurred on Council prior to the term expiration of December 31, 2016. "Whereas, the governing body of the Borough of Kenilworth has reviewed the two (2) candidates submitted by the Municipal Republican Committee to fill the vacancy. Be It Resolved That, Scott Pentz be appointed Councilman of the Borough of Kenilworth pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:16-4. et. Seq.... Oath of Office was administered to Councilman Pentz by Mayor Deluca."</ref>

In January 2016, the borough council appointed former councilmember Lawrence Clementi to fill the seat expiring in December 2017 that had been held by Anthony DeLuca, until he resigned from the council to take office as mayor; Clementi will serve on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref>[http://www.kenilworthborough.com/docs/councilminutes/2016/011316.pdf Mayor and Council Regular Meeting Minutes for January 13, 2016], Borough of Kenilworth. Accessed August 4, 2016. "Whereas, a vacancy occurred on Council prior to the term expiration of December 31, 2017. Whereas, the unexpired term for Council member of the Borough of Kenilworth will go to the polls at the November 8, 2016 General Election; and Be It Resolved That, Larry Clementi be appointed Councilman of the Borough of Kenilworth pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:16-4. et. Seq.... Oath of Office was administered by Mayor Deluca."</ref>

In July 2015, the borough council selected Scott Pentz from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Barbara Macecsko, until she resigned from office the previous month.<ref>[http://kenilworthborough.com/docs/councilminutes/2015/070815.pdf Mayor and Council Regular Meeting Minutes for July 8, 2015], Borough of Kenilworth. Accessed August 4, 2016. "Whereas, Councilwoman Barbara Macecsko has vacated office prior to the December 31, 2016 expiration of her term. Be It Resolved That, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:16-3. et. Seq., Scott Pentz be appointed Councilman and Chairman for Public Safety, of the Borough of Kenilworth until the certification of the 2015 General Election results. Oath of Office was administered to Scott Pentz."</ref> Pentz served on an interim basis until the November 2015 general election, when he lost to Democrat Kay Anne Ceceri, who was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref name=Union2015>[http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Union/57825/157004/Web01/en/summary.html November 5, 2015 General Election Official Results], [[Union County, New Jersey]], updated November 9, 2015. Accessed August 3, 2016.</ref>

Mayor Kathi Fiamingo resigned her position in April 2014 after being selected to serve as a tax court judge.<ref>Hehl, Cheryl. [http://unionnewsdaily.com/news/kenilworth/11328 "Kenilworth mayor resigns, appointed as tax court judge; Councilman Pugliese to step in as acting mayor"], ''Union News Daily'', April 4, 2014. Accessed November 5, 2014. "It has been several years since Gov. Chris Christie nominated Mayor Kathi Fiamingo as a tax court judge, but it took until last week for the Senate Judiciary Committee to sign off on it."</ref> Council President Scott Klinder was chosen by the borough council to fill Fiamingo's vacant mayoral seat and serve in that role until the November 2014 general election, when a successor would be chosen. Kevin Leary was then chosen to fill Klinder's vacant council seat.<ref>Renna, Joe. [http://rennamedia.com/scott-klinder-elected-mayor-of-kenilworth/ "Scott Klinder elected Mayor of Kenilworth"], RennaMedia.com, May 1, 2014. Accessed November 5, 2014. "Scott Klinder was elected Mayor by the Kenilworth Borough Council at their April 9th, 2014 public meeting.... Former councilman Kevin Leary was also sworn in at the April 9th meeting to fulfill the remainder of Klinder's term."</ref> In the November 2014 general election, Republican Fred M. Pugliese won the special election for the remaining term through December 2015 of the mayoral seat, while Democrats Anthony DeLuca and Nicholas Mascaro won both of the council seats up for election for terms starting January 1, 2015.<ref>Haydon, Tom; and Lannan, Katie. [http://www.nj.com/union/index.ssf/2014/11/union_county_election_results_2014.html "Union County election results 2014"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], November 4, 2014. Accessed November 5, 2014.</ref> Richard LoForte was appointed to fill Pugliese's vacant council seat expiring in December 2015.

====Mayors of Kenilworth====

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! # !! Mayor !! Years in Office !! Notes
|-
| 1 || Charles C. Boyd ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]) || 1907–1909 || First mayor
|-
| 2 || William J. Hoiles ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]) || 1910–1913 || 
|-
| 3 || John Hiller (R) || 1914–1915 || 
|-
| 4 || Charles C. Boyd (D) || 1916–1919 || 
|-
| 5 || Oswald Nitschke (D) || 1919–1922 || 
|-
| 6 || William J. Hoiles (R) || 1922–1923 || 
|-
| 7 || Charles A. Kosmutza (R) || 1924–1925 || 
|-
| 8 || August J. Stahl (R) || 1926–1927 || 
|-
| 9 || Oswald Nitschke (D) || 1928–1929 || 
|-
| 10 || August J. Stahl (R) || 1930–1931 || 
|-
| 11 || Oswald Nitschke (D) || 1932–1933 || 
|-
| 12 || Charles A. Kosmutza (R) || 1934–1935 || 
|-
| 13 || Anthony Grippo (R) || 1936–1939 || 
|-
| 14 || Max J. Berzin (R) || 1940–1947 || 
|-
| 15 || Fred V. Pitten (R) || 1948–1951 || 
|-
| 16 || William Lister (R) || 1952–1953 || 
|-
| 17 || Robert Krueger (R) || 1954–1955 || 
|-
| 18 || Walter E. Boright (D) || 1956–1961 || 
|-
| 19 || William J. Ahern, Jr. (D) || 1962–1969 || 
|-
| 20 || William E. Conrad, Jr. (R) || 1970–1975 || 
|-
| 21 || Livio Mancino (D, I) || 1976–1987 || 
|-
| 22 || Joseph A. Benintente (R) || 1988–1990 || Ill during term; Dennis Schultz served as acting mayor for most of 1989; resigned in January 1990
|-
| 23 || Eugene Pepe (D) || 1990 || Acting mayor until 1990 election
|-
| 24 || Joseph J. Rego (R) || 1990–1995 || 
|-
| 25 || Michael A. Tripodi (R) || 1996–2003 || 
|-
| 26 || Gregg F. David (D) || 2004–2007 || 
|-
| 27 || Kathi Fiamingo (R) || 2008–2014 || First female mayor; resigned after becoming a tax judge
|-
| 28 || Scott Klinder (R) || 2014 || Acting mayor until 2014 election
|-
| 29 || Fred Pugliese (R) || 2014–2015 || 
|-
| 30 || Anthony DeLuca (D) || 2016–2019 ||
|-
| 31 || Linda Karlovitch (D) || 2020–||
|}

===Federal, state, and county representation===
Kenilworth is located in the 10th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2022>[https://www.njredistrictingcommission.org/documents/2021/Data2021/Plan%20Components.pdf 2022 Redistricting Plan], [[New Jersey Redistricting Commission]], December 8, 2022.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 20th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2023>[https://pub.njleg.gov/publications/pdf/2023-NJ-Leg-District-Map.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2023-2031 Legislative District], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed September 1, 2023.</ref>

{{NJ Congress 10}} {{NJ Senate}}

{{NJ Legislative 20}}

{{NJ Union County Commissioners}}

===Politics===
As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,891 registered voters in Kenilworth, of which 1,496 (30.6% vs. 41.8% countywide) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], 1,076 (22.0% vs. 15.3%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 2,317 (47.4% vs. 42.9%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|Unaffiliated]]. There were 2 voters registered as either [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarians]] or [[Green Party (United States)|Greens]].<ref name=VoterRegistration>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-union-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Union], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed May 17, 2013.</ref> Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 61.8% (vs. 53.3% in Union County) were registered to vote, including 79.1% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.6% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTP7.ST16?slice=GEO~0400000US34 GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212202223/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTP7.ST16?slice=GEO~0400000US34 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed May 17, 2013.</ref>

In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012 presidential election]], Republican [[Mitt Romney]] received 1,775 votes (52.6% vs. 32.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[Barack Obama]] with 1,535 votes (45.5% vs. 66.0%) and other candidates with 39 votes (1.2% vs. 0.8%), among the 3,376 ballots cast by the borough's 5,167 registered voters, for a turnout of 65.3% (vs. 68.8% in Union County).<ref>[http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-presidential-union.pdf Presidential November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Union County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201192205/http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-presidential-union.pdf |date=February 1, 2014 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed May 17, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-union.pdf Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast November 6, 2012 General Election Results - Union County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201191259/http://njelections.org/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-union.pdf |date=February 1, 2014 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 15, 2013. Accessed May 17, 2013.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008 presidential election]], Republican [[John McCain]] received 2,064 votes (55.5% vs. 35.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,564 votes (42.0% vs. 63.1%) and other candidates with 54 votes (1.5% vs. 0.9%), among the 3,721 ballots cast by the borough's 5,039 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.8% (vs. 74.7% in Union County).<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-union.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Union County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed May 17, 2013.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004 presidential election]], Republican [[George W. Bush]] received 1,949 votes (54.0% vs. 40.3% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[John Kerry]] with 1,589 votes (44.0% vs. 58.3%) and other candidates with 32 votes (0.9% vs. 0.7%), among the 3,608 ballots cast by the borough's 4,927 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.2% (vs. 72.3% in the whole county).<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_union_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Union County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed May 17, 2013.</ref>
{{PresHead|place=Kenilworth|source=<ref>{{Cite web |title=NJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Results Archive |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-information-results.shtml |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=nj.gov}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|2,629|1,566|64|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|2,498|1,835|58|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,146|1,491|114|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,775|1,535|39|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|2,064|1,564|54|New Jersey}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,949|1,589|32|New Jersey}}
|}

In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2017|2017 gubernatorial election]], Republican [[Kim Guadagno]] received 1,065 votes (52.6% vs. 32.6% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[Phil Murphy]] with 912 votes (45.0% vs. 65.2%), and other candidates with 48 votes (2.4% vs. 2.1%), among the 2,099 ballots cast by the borough's 5,365 registered voters, for a turnout of 39.1%.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2017/2017-general-election-results-governor-union.pdf |title=Governor - Union County |date=December 21, 2017 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=November 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2017/2017-gen-elect-ballotscast-results-union.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 7, 2017 - General Election Results - Union County|date=December 21, 2017 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=November 23, 2024}}</ref> In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013|2013 gubernatorial election]], Republican [[Chris Christie]] received 66.2% of the vote (1,357 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barbara Buono]] with 32.1% (657 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (35 votes), among the 2,099 ballots cast by the borough's 5,073 registered voters (50 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.4%.<ref name=2013Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-union.pdf |title=Governor - Union County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-union.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Union County|date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009|2009 gubernatorial election]], Republican Chris Christie received 1,442 votes (59.9% vs. 41.7% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] with 759 votes (31.5% vs. 50.6%), Independent [[Chris Daggett]] with 148 votes (6.1% vs. 5.9%) and other candidates with 25 votes (1.0% vs. 0.8%), among the 2,408 ballots cast by the borough's 4,996 registered voters, yielding a 48.2% turnout (vs. 46.5% in the county).<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-union.pdf 2009 Governor: Union County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017230050/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-union.pdf |date=October 17, 2012 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed May 17, 2013.</ref>