Kristie Cattafi reports on election night 2024 from outside the office of the Bergen County Clerk's office in Hackensack.

Incumbent Democrat Anthony Cureton won reelection as Bergen County's sheriff against Republican opponent retired Saddle Brook Police Chief Robert Kugler.

As of midnight on election night, Cureton had 206,869 votes and Kugler 189,804.

Cureton celebrated on Tuesday night with fellow Democrats at the Hasbrouck Heights Hilton Hotel.

"His opponent put a lot of signs up, sent out a lot of garbage, but nonetheless was not successful," Bergen County Democratic Chairman Paul Juliano said before introducing Cureton to the crowd. "We're grateful for a career law enforcement officer, we're grateful for his friendship and leadership for this respected office."

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Cureton thanked everyone and said he loves his job. "This isn't my victory it's our victory," he said to all the supporters.

Cureton began his career in 1989 in Englewood. He said his main goal for his next term will be to help make Bergen County one of the safest in the country. "Right now, we're currently number nine," he said before the election. "But, with the Bergen County law enforcement and the sheriff's office and the great things my office is doing, I think we can go to the top three."

He also plans to increase patrol and continue the working relationship and collaboration among local law enforcement and the Bergen County Prosecutor's office along with federal and state authorities. He also intends to address quality-of-life concerns and increase involvement with the opioid crisis and rehabilitation while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

"I look forward to serving the county of Bergen for another term," Cureton said. "I think if you look at what we've accomplished in the last six years, and there's still more we can do."

During his last term, the Passaic County jail merged with Bergen's, creating $21 million in revenue for the county. Cureton said that money goes toward helping the tax base and the administration be fiscally responsible. "That's a major accomplishment," he said. "We have to serve and protect, but we also have to be concerned about the fiscal part."

Cureton said after his six years as sheriff, the department is in a new and better direction.

Since the jail merger, the number of officers was increased, they were all issued body-worn cameras and new programs were added to the jail.

Cureton also spearheaded the name change of the jail to the Bergen County Corrections and Rehabilitation Center to avoid stigmas and highlight the growing programs to help inmates once they are released.