Councilman defeats Paulsboro Mayor Hamilton

A Democratic councilman in Paulsboro secured a victory over the borough's current mayor in Tuesday's primary election in the only Gloucester County municipality with contested races.

Gary Stevenson, a former borough fire chief, defeated Mayor W. Jeffery Hamilton, according to unofficial county results. With no Republican running for mayor in November's general election, Stevenson has all but won the seat.

"I'm ecstatic," Stevenson, 55, a funeral director, said Tuesday night from his home as he celebrated. "The key was, I walked most of Paulsboro - almost every street I could possibly" work to get the message out.

Stevenson said he would focus on revamping community policing initiatives and bringing economic development to the small industrial town on the Delaware River.

"I'll be working on those plans all summer," he said, adding that he would campaign for the general election.

The reelection defeat for Hamilton follows an April guilty plea to a DWI charge - and a three-month loss of driving privileges - in relation to an arrest in Woolwich Township in December.

In pleading guilty, Hamilton blamed several medications he was taking for bronchitis - mixed with a shot of brandy and a beer - for impairing his judgment on Dec. 20. The mayor has said he was on his way home from his brother's residence when his car was pulled over on Paulsboro Road after midnight.

Police had also charged Hamilton with refusing to submit to the breath test because he provided only a "quick, forceful breath," preventing authorities from calculating his intoxication level. But the municipal prosecutor in Carneys Point, Salem County - where the case was transferred to prevent a conflict of interest - agreed to dismiss that charge after a doctor's report indicated the mayor's medicine was at fault. Two motor vehicle offenses also were dismissed.

Asked Tuesday night if the incident might have had an effect on the primary election, Hamilton said, "No, I don't think it did."

Hamilton said he called to congratulate Stevenson on his victory. "I wish him the best," he said.

First elected in 2011, Hamilton said earlier that he was proud of the work done under his tenure - including the repaving of roadways and implementing use of body cameras on police officers.

The mayor said he ensured that borough officials properly communicated with the town's approximately 6,000 residents as they grappled with a November 2012 train derailment and chemical leak, and, more recently, with contaminated water.

Barring any successful write-in campaigns, Stevenson will lead the town with an all-Democratic six-member council.

In the council primary race, Democratic incumbent Larry Haynes Sr. and Fire Chief Alfonso Giampola garnered the most votes for two open seats, defeating Councilwoman Jennifer Turner and newcomer Natasha Davis-Lavard.

There are no Republican candidates for the council.

@AJFichera www.philly.com/glouco