Mehta concedes state Senate race to Bucco, says she broke glass ceiling

Rupande Mehta
Rupande Mehta
0
By Jamie Lynn Connors

 

Conceding the 25th District race on Sunday, Rupande Mehta thanked those who backed her campaign as the first South Asian woman to run for state Senate, and pledged her support for victor Anthony M. Bucco during the pandemic.

“The COVID-19 crisis has shone a light on all of the cracks in our system and we stepped up to fight for sensible leadership,” Mehta, 40, said in a statement.

State Sen. Anthony M. Bucco (R-25th Dist.)

“Congratulations Sen. Bucco on your re-election. It is imperative we work together during these challenging times to always put LD-25’s needs first and to truly focus on bipartisan efforts.”

As of Friday afternoon, Mehta, a Democrat, was trailing the Republican Bucco by 9,275 votes in the vote-by-mail election, according to the Morris County Clerk’s OfficeSome 113,509 votes have been counted; it’s unclear how many are left to tally. According to the 2010 census, the district’s population totaled just under 216,000 residents.

“I want to commend Ms. Mehta for putting her name forward and thank her for the campaign she ran,” Bucco said last week when he declared victory. 

The special election enabled him to retain the Senate seat to which he was appointed last fall, succeeding his father, Tony Bucco, who died.

The junior Bucco, 58, had served in the Assembly; Aura Dunn was appointed to his vacated seat. She declared victory Friday over Democrat Darcy Draeger in their special election.

Mehta came to the U.S. from India in 2002 to pursue a master’s degree in business administration. In July 2017, she raised her right hand and became a citizen. Two days later, she registered to vote.

Three years later, she became the first South Asain woman to run for Senate.

“This campaign is historic because of the support and involvement from women across the state, the South Asian community and our youth,” said Mehta, who has a young daughter and considers herself an advocate for women.

“I am proud to have joined women up and down the ballot for this crucial moment in time,” said the Denville resident, who described herself as a survivor of emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

Mehta said she hopes her story will inspire other women to seek leadership positions.

“Even if I was the first South Asian woman to run for statewide office in New Jersey, I most certainly will not be the last. We will keep on fighting because representation will always matter,” she said. “We broke the glass ceiling and opened up many doors for future leaders to come.”

If you’ve read this far… you clearly value your local news. Now we need your help to keep producing the local coverage you depend on! More people are reading Morristown Green than ever. But costs keep rising. Reporting the news takes time, money and hard work. We do it because we, like you, believe an informed citizenry is vital to a healthy community.

So please, CONTRIBUTE to MG or become a monthly SUBSCRIBER. ADVERTISE on Morristown Green. LIKE us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and SIGN UP for our newsletter.

LEAVE A REPLY