Following Pelzman's unexpected death in July 2006, Vitale volunteered to serve as Woodbridge's interim mayor. He was nominated by the township's Democratic Committee and voted in by the Township Council to serve a four month term as mayor. He said he was taking on the mayor's job in order to continue Pelzman's programs and to provide leadership during the interim period. Vitale said the time constraints of dual office holding were making him rule out seeking the remaining 14 months of Pelzman's term during the November 2006 special election for mayor. Vitale has endorsed former State Treasurer John McCormac in the special election. Vitale served as mayor until November 13, 2006, when McCormac was sworn in.
Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The other representatives from the 19th District for the 2008-2009 Legislative Session are:
