1. Nov 07, 2007
THREE'S A CROWD
HALEDON -- GOP candidates Danny Shakoj and Amaf Jarkasi blame the borough’s first three-party
race for their loss Tuesday to Democrats Domenico Fusco and Maha Kandis.
“This was the first time we had a three-party race. If the independents wouldn’t have run, it would have
been very close,” Shakoj said Tuesday night. “They split the Republican party completely.”
The numbers back up Shakoj’s theory. He credited independents Michael Boyle and Jeffrey Fischer
with being very well known in the Republican community. Both Boyle and Fischer have made names
for themselves in the borough after being longtime school board members and being involved in many
community activities.
“We had more votes than them, but they took a considerable amount of votes away from us,” Shakoj
said.
Despite stolen campaign signs, billboards blasted with paint balls, and harsh words from an incumbent,
Shakoj was not bitter.
While admitting that he and his running mate were being pounded in all directions, he said, overall, “It
was fun. It was a good experience.”
The 23-year-old newcomer seemed unsure of whether or not he would run for council in the future.
“I don’t know,” he said. “We pushed it hard. I don’t know what I would have done differently.”
But only a few moments later, perhaps after the sting of defeat had somewhat subsided, Shakoj
reconsidered.
“I’d like to try again and maybe start earlier,” he said.
-- Heather Kays
Unofficial Results
Domenico Fusco* 515
Maha Kandis* 481
Amaf Jarkasi 233
Danny Shakoj 257
Michael J. Boyle 224
Jeffrey P. Fischer 233