Democrat Chuck Cahn will succeed Mayor Bernie Platt in Cherry Hill, maintaining more than three decades of Democratic control in Cherry Hill.
Cahn surpassed Republican Stephen Buividas in last week’s election, by a margin of 58 to 42 percent, with 14,424 total voters, according to unofficial election results from Camden County.
Cahn and Buividas entered the race earlier this year after Mayor Bernie Platt announced that he would not seek re-election, having served nearly a decade in office. Platt has also previously served on Cherry Hill council and as a Camden County freeholder.
Cahn said the work leading up to the election was challenging, but he is looking forward to getting down to business early next year once he’s sworn in.
“I’m very excited. It marks a turning point in Cherry Hill,” Cahn said. “We worked dawn till evening the last two weeks (prior to the election), really the last six months. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
After graduating from Rutgers with a degree in economics and business administration, Cahn worked at his father’s business, Stewart Industries, a document imaging company. Cahn took over the business and transformed and expanded the company, he said.
After 30 years with the company, Cahn sold the business in 2007. Cahn is now a partner in CKS Real Estate Holdings, LLC, a regional real estate investment company.
Cahn said his business mentality likely resonated with Cherry Hill voters. He has pledged all throughout his campaign that he would take a hard look at the township’s $64 million budget.
“My business perspective was refreshing to residents. People were looking for a change. I bring business experience and passion,” Cahn said.
Cahn also said that he plans to donate his $73,000 salary back to the township.
Platt, who will end his term in December, said he is looking forward to Cahn’s leadership in the township.
“I am happy to see Mayor-elect Chuck Cahn take the reins at town hall. I believe he will make a great chief executive for Cherry Hill and has the tools and talent to continue the progressive innovation in government that my administration stood for,” Platt said. “I know Chuck will bring new ideas to the table and face all challenges, large and small, head on, while keeping this township a special place to live.”
And even though Buvidas’ team didn’t succeed at the polls, he and his council running mates conceded proudly.
“I congratulated my opponent. He ran a great campaign,” said Buividas, who has maintained his practice at The Law Office of Stephen J. Buividas in Cherry Hill for the past 11 years. “We did a great job. Our party had over 300 volunteers. Everybody involved did a wonderful job.”
Buividas said his time in politics is not over yet. A political novice, Buividas said he plans to stay connected with the Republican Party in Cherry Hill.
“It was a great experience. I learned a lot by getting involved and met a lot of great people,” Buividas said. “I look forward to the next election.”
Democratic council incumbents N. John Amato and Sara Lipsett, along with Democratic newcomer Melinda Kane, the mother of Jeremy Kane, who was killed in January 2010 by a suicide bomb attack while on patrol in the Helmand Province in Afghanistan, were elected.
The Democrats beat Republicans Ann Madden Tufano, Maria Heckendorn and Dolores Kelly.
