New Jersey Democrats appeared poised Tuesday to expand their majority in the state Assembly, though election results were still unclear in a few districts. They now control 51 of the 80 seats.
Advertisement
There is also a number of important referendum votes around New Jersey.
In the 38th District, Democratic incumbents Tim Eustace and Joe Lagana won in a race that saw perhaps the most unexpected turn this election in a competitive Assembly race when a raunchy book written by Republican candidate Anthony Cappola came to light.
Content Preview This content is exclusive for Optimum, Time Warner, Comcast, customers with access to News 12.
Gov. Chris Christie joined voters and cast his ballot on Election Day in New Jersey.
A Democratic super PAC had spent more than $2 million on the election in Atlantic County’s Second District through October, according to filings with state regulators, and almost $1.8 million in the First, which includes parts of Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland Counties.
Two other familiar Democrats – Patricia Jones of Barrington and Arthur Barclay of Camden – won Assembly seats in the 5th District, completing a legislative transition for their party.
In South Jersey Assembly races, voters returned incumbent Democrats John Burzichelli of Paulsboro and Adam Taliaferro of Woolwich in the 3rd District; as well as Paul Moriarty of Washington Township and Gabriela Mosquera of Gloucester Township in the 4th. She and Howarth had no Democratic challengers. In reviewing the different aspects of the ballots cast, half of the ballots came from registered Democrats within the city, while 30 percent were from registered Republicans and 20 percent from registered unaffiliated voters. It included rants against gays, Asians and breast-feeding mothers. The GOP and Cappola’s running mate, Mark DiPisa, immediately criticized his candidacy.
Wilson and Fuentes, both Camden residents, held Assembly seats since 2010.
Advertisement
Cappola took responsibility and initially bowed out of the race, but his name remained on the ballot. Now, 60 percent of New Jerseyans do not back the governor and the Democrats have outspent the challengers by more than $1.3 million. Both incumbents are new to the Legislature, with Andrzejczak being tapped to fill an unfinished term in 2013 and winning the election later that year.
