WESTFIELD – After weeks of campaigning on a platform of fiscal austerity, first time mayoral candidate Michael L. Roeder came up 333 votes short of unseating incumbent Mayor Daniel M. Knapik Tuesday evening.
What was once a raucous crowd of over 50 supporters fell silent shortly after 9 p.m. when the announcement flashed across one of three television screens in the clubhouse of the Tekoa Country Club.
Prior to the results, Roeder spoke with cautious optimism.
“If the voter turnout is between 13,000 and 15,000, I believe I’ve done my job,” he said.
He added that the 6,000 voter turnout the city had been averaging the past few years is “not a reflection” of the total registered voters in the city.
“If I lose at that number, I’ve done my job. We’ve had a great grassroots campaign, we’ve achieved a lot,” he said. “I’ve had so many supporting me, and it’s been a great experience.”
City council candidate Cindy Harris and Ward 4 city councillor Mary O’Connell were on hand for the event, along with former Westfield mayors George Veralas and Mike O’Connell, who, along with another former mayor Mike Boulanger, supported the challenger.
Following the final tally, Roeder campaign organizer Bernard Rosenblum spoke to the assembled crowd of Roeder’s family, friends and supporters.
“It was a great job from all of you getting out to vote. It was a great campaign run by Mike,” Rosenblum said. “There wasn’t anything underneath. It was all above the board.”
Roeder addressed the crowd shortly thereafter, saying with a smile that the election was his “one and only shot at politics.”
“I wish Mr. Knapik the best. I think it is clear where he will take this city over the next two years, much to my chagrin,” Roeder said. “But you know what? It is what it is. The people have spoken – 9,000 people voted. That was way above the average over the last 20 years. I accomplished my goal. If we get a good turnout and we lose, I win.”
Roeder thanked his wife Cathy, his family, and his supporters.
“This has been alot of fun, and I got to tell you, I would’ve rather been 330 votes ahead (of Knapik), but thats the way it works. Thats politics,” he said. “I can accept the loss just like I used to in the service.”
“You win a few, you lose a few. This was a big one. I would’ve liked to have won, but I didn’t win. This was a great experience,” he said.
