by Erica Schindler
 
After a hard fought race, Scotch Plains Mayor Al Smith (R) conceded the mayoral race to Mayor-Elect Josh Losardo (D) Nov. 18. The deputy mayor defeated the incumbent mayor by a narrow margin.
 
Mayor Smith took to his Facebook page to concede the election on Thursday, several days before Nov. 20, the deadline for Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi to certify the 2020 election results. In his statement, the mayor congratulated the mayor-elect and councilwoman-elect Ellen Zimmerman on their victories.
 
“We look forward to working with them in transitioning to the new council,” Smith said. “We would like to thank all of those who supported us in the election.”
 
Mayor-Elect Losardo is currently serving as the Deputy Mayor of Scotch Plains. He is also an attorney and small business owner. In a statement shared with TAPintoSPF, Losardo thanked his supporters as well as Mayor Smith.
 
“Over the past year, I have watched [Mayor Al Smith] closely and have remained impressed by his service to Scotch Plains,” Losardo said. “It is my intention to win over many of the mayor’s supporters, as my concern is serving all residents- if you voted for me or not.”