JERSEY CITY (June 12) — After succeeding in the May 12 elections and managing to force his 66-year-old opponent to a run-off, Rolando Lavarro Jr.’s journey to become the first elected Filipino American in Jersey City was cut short Tuesday evening, June 9, shortly after polling places closed.
The mood of an enthusiastic crowd that crammed Lavarro’s campaign headquarters on Cator Avenue turned to a restrained emotion on election night while votes were being canvassed. As poll results were reported and posted on a tally-sheet by the wall, reality hit home. At a count of 1,736 votes for Michael Sottolano against Lavarro’s 1,306, supporters became visibly disappointed and heart-broken.