Mayor Vas loses bid
for Perth Amboy re-election
From the Web, May 14,
2008
The era of Joseph Vas as Perth
Amboy's mayor has come to an end.
In a stunning upset, community activist and businesswoman Wilda Diaz on Tuesday
ousted Vas from the mayor's seat he has occupied for the past 18 years.
Diaz, a political novice, called her victory "incredible.'
"You have to see Perth Amboy,' said Diaz, with cars honking in the background
and people screaming.
The victory sent people pouring into the city streets to celebrate. So
many supporters came out that Diaz planned to give her acceptance speech outside
along Front Street.
"The people wanted a change in town,' said Diaz. "People know me.
People trust me and I know I will work with them.'
Vas, whose candidacy had been endorsed by local and county Democrats, said the
voters wanted a change, and he respects that.
"I'm proud of my 18 years as mayor,' said Vas, adding he had tried
unsuccessfully to reach Diaz by cell phone to personally congratulate her.
Vas said he was proud of the changes he had made to the city.
"I have absolutely no regrets,' he said.
While he said some of his campaign supporters were stunned by the loss, Vas said
he was more disappointed. While he didn't think there was one key factor
that resulted in his loss, he noted that Diaz had emphasized the two municipal
tax increases in the last few years.
Diaz also said it was a great showing of people coming out to vote. Vas
said her victory was across the board and he planned to take a closer look at
the results today.
Diaz said she was especially pleased that her slate of City Council candidates
also won.
"We've got a parade going down State Street to the Armory,' said City
Councilman-elect Fernando Gonzalez, who explained that the social club where
their celebration had started was too small and the group was heading toward
Seabra's Armory on Front Street to celebrate.
Diaz defeated Vas by an unofficial vote of 4,256 to 3,061 in the mayoral
election.
Diaz and her United for Change slate of City Council candidates Gonzalez and
Kenneth Balut were swept into office. Gonzalez receive 3,429 votes and
Balut, 3,347 votes.
They defeated Vas who was running with his Perth Amboy First running mates
Councilman David Szilagyi and City Council candidate Joel Pabon. Pabon
received an unofficial 3,049 votes and Szilagyi, 2,744.
Community activist Maria Garcia who ran for City Council by herself received 776
votes.
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