Congrats to Melonie Marano on a Great Win!

Melonie Marano has won the election for Somerset County Freeholder. Melanie prevailed over Republican Pat Walsh by about 800 votes at last tally. Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, released the following statement:

“This is a great victory for the people of Somerset County and for the environment! Melonie Marano will make an outstanding Freeholder. She will be an environmental leader working to move Somerset County forward. She will champion important environmental issues like climate change, open space, and clean water,” said Jeff Tittel. “This election was a critical victory on the local and state level. Now, Somerset County will be able to take the lead on important environmental issues like protecting the Highlands and fighting sprawl.”

Melonie is a long-time Sierra Club member and activist. She will be attending the New Jersey Sierra Club’s Annual Appreciation Day Reception on Sunday, November 17. This win shifts the freeholder board to 3-2 control by Democrats, led by Chair Peg Schaffer.

“We congratulate Melonie on her important win. Melonie’s win over Pat Walsh changes the balance of power on the Freeholder board. Somerset County has been a Republican stronghold, and now it has become Democratic for the first time in decades. With Melonie and the other Freeholders, the board will be able to move forward on an aggressive environmental agenda. They will be able to focus on clean water and open space, protecting the Raritan Valley, and other issues like fighting flooding and protecting the Highlands,” said Tittel. “We had a wait, but the wait was well worth it. Melonie will be an environmental champion for all the people in Somerset County.”