NJ Assembly race: Democrats defend their majority while GOP fights to swing districts
The governor’s race may be getting most of the media attention ahead of the Nov. 4 general election, but every one of the 80 seats in the General Assembly is up for grabs – and experts say some of the district races are set to be highly competitive.
Democrats are solidly in control, with 52 seats to the Republicans’ 28 seats. But the GOP is looking to make inroads, as it did in 2021, when it gained six seats (only to lose them in 2023).
Some are hoping to grab onto the coattails of Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee for governor, an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump who came close to defeating incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy in 2021.
Experts say a strong performance against Democrat Mikie Sherrill could boost Republican Assembly candidates. And there are signs of a tilt toward Republicans. In the past 12 months, the GOP has picked up 60,000 new voters, pushing the total number of registered Republicans to more than 1.6 million, state data show. Registered Democrats dipped slightly to 2.5 million, and the number of unaffiliated registration dropped by 100,000 to a total of 2.3 million.
One indication of the level of intensity in the Assembly races is the level of spending, which hit an all-time high leading into the June primary, according to the state Election Law Enforcement Commission. In all, the candidates and independent committees reported spending $30.7 million the commission said.
Among the most competitive races:
3rd Legislative District
Why we’re watching: The area has become increasingly difficult for Democrats to win.
This South Jersey district is described as a “MAGA conservative area” by Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University. Despite being represented by Democrats, David Bailey Jr. and Heather Simmons, District 3 is more difficult for the party to win than it has been in the past, experts say.
Bailey and Simmons seek to cap utility rate hikes, deliver tax relief for seniors and invest in rural communities. Additionally, they hope to expand workforce training and improve healthcare access. Republican challengers Chris Konawel and Lawrence Moore plan to cap property taxes and cut wasteful spending in Trenton. They also hope to make student loan interest tax-deductible and reward New Jersey graduates who live and work in the state.
Trump’s popularity in the region remained consistent in the past two general elections, and votes for Democrats decreased significantly, according to official election counts. This district is located in southwestern New Jersey, including all of Salem County and portions of Cumberland and Gloucester counties.
4th Legislative District
Why we’re watching: If Ciattarelli wins, it may be a sign that Democratic candidates are in trouble.
If it’s a strong election in South Jersey for Ciattarelli, this region will lose Democratic lawmakers, experts say. Democratic incumbents Dan Hutchison and Cody Miller are under challenge by GOP candidates Amanda Esposito and Gerard McManus.
The incumbents won the 2023 election by about 7,000 votes, according to official results. Since then, the number of registered unaffiliated and Democratic voters have remained about the same, while Republicans have grown by more than 5,000, according to state data.
Hutchison and Miller seek to lower property taxes and cut costs for working families, fully fund education and provide for the needs of first responders. They want to protect community events by deterring violent brawls and increasing penalties for disruptors. Esposito and McManus focus on economic growth, government transparency and fiscal responsibility, and want to ensure that residents’ voices are heard in Trenton.
This district includes parts of Camden and Gloucester counties.
8th Legislative District
Why we’re watching: A close race in 2023 sets the stage for a repeat in 2025.
District 8 is one of two with a split delegation of one Republican and one Democratic in the General Assembly. Around 34% of voters in this district are registered as unaffiliated with any party and there is an even split of registered Republicans and Democrats, each with 32%.
In 2023 Andrea Katz delivered the first win for Democrats since 1973 in the District 8 assembly race. Katz is defending her seat against Republican candidate Brandon E. Umba, who narrowly lost in 2023. Republican Michael Torrissi Jr. is also defending his seat against Democrat Anthony Angelozzi, who is president of the Hammonton Education Association.
This district includes parts of Atlantic and Burlington counties.
11th Legislative District
Why we’re watching: Republicans see an opportunity to regain seats in this swing district.
The 11th District flips between parties often. Democrats have 55,599 registered to the party, about 10,000 more than Republicans. Unaffiliated voters, though, make up the bulk of registrations, with 61,290, state data show. Support from that faction will be key to victory.
Currently represented by Democrats Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul, the district had Republican Assembly members just two years ago. Donlon and Peterpaul have backed many successful bills involving economic development, public safety and healthcare. They want to fight for school funding, lower prescription drug costs, protect healthcare freedom and cut property taxes.
Republican challengers Jessica Ford and Andrew Wardell want to address affordability, end education funding cuts, stop overdevelopment and bring down utility costs.
This district is entirely in Monmouth County.
30th Legislative District
Why we’re watching: A split delegation in a Republican stronghold.
Like District 8, this district – historically a Republican stronghold – has one Republican and one Democrat in the Assembly. That’s because Democrat Avi Schnall defeated Republican incumbent Ned Thomson in 2023. Now, Thomson is running to reclaim his seat, campaigning alongside Republican incumbent Sean Kean. Democrat Joanne DeBenedictis is also on the ballot.
Since the 2023 election, Republicans have added about 7,000 registered voters. That party dominates, with 39% of all registered. Democrats, too, have grown, by about 4,000, for 19% of the total. At the same time, the number of unaffiliated voters have fallen by about 3,700.
This district includes sections of Ocean and Monmouth counties.
Other Assembly races around the state
Note: (i) indicates incumbent
District 1 — parts of Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties. Democrat: Carolyn Rush, Carol Sabo; Republican: Antwan McClellan (i), Erik Simonsen (i)
District 2 — part of Atlantic County. Democrat: Joanne Famularo, Maureen Rowan; Republican: Don Guardian (i), Claire Swift (i)
District 3 — parts of Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties. Democrat: Dave Bailey Jr. (i), Heather Simmons (i); Republican: Chris Konawel, Lawrence Moore
District 4 — parts of Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester counties. Democrat: Dan Hutchison (i), Cody Miller (i); Republican: Amanda Esposito, Gerard McManus
District 5 — parts of Camden and Gloucester counties. Democrat: William F. Moen Jr. (i), William W. Spearman (i); Republican: Constance Ditzel, Nilsa Gonzalez
District 6 — parts of Burlington and Camden counties. Democrat: Louis D. Greenwald (i), Melinda Kane (i); Republican: John Brangan, Peter Sykes
District 7 — part of Burlington County. Democrat: Carol Murphy (i), Balvir Singh (i); Republican: Douglas F. Dillon, Dione Johnson
District 8 — parts of Atlantic and Burlington counties. Democrat: Andrea Katz (i), Anthony Angelozzi; Republican: Michael Torrissi Jr. (i), Brandon E. Umba
District 9 — part of Ocean County. Democrat: Lisa Bennett, Rosalee Keech; Republican: Gregory E. Myhre (i), Brian Rumpf (i)
District 10 — parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties. Democrat: Janine Bauer, Gigi Esparza; Republican: Paul Kanitra (i), Gregory P. McGuckin (i)
District 11 — part of Monmouth County. Democrat: Margie M. Donlon (i), Luanne M. Peterpaul (i); Republican: Jessica Ford, Andrew Wardell; Other: Felicia Simmons (We the People)
District 12 — parts of Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties. Democrat: Kyler Dineen, Freshta Taeb; Republican: Robert Clifton (i) Alex Sauickie (i)
District 13 — part of Monmouth County. Democrat: Jason Corley, Vaibhav Gorige; Republican: Victoria A. Flynn (i), Gerard Scharfenberger (i)
District 14 — parts of Mercer and Middlesex counties. Democrat: Wayne P. DeAngelo (i), Tennille R. McCoy (i); Republican: Marty Flynn, Joseph Stillwell; Other: Steven Welzer (Green Party)
District 15 — parts of Hunterdon and Mercer counties. Democrat: Verlina Reynolds–Jackson (i), Anthony S. Verrelli (i)
District 16 — parts of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset counties. Democrat: Mitchelle Drulis (i), Roy Freiman (i); Republican: Catherine Payne, Scott Sipos
District 17 — parts of Middlesex and Somerset counties. Democrat: Joseph Danielsen (i) Kevin Egan (i); Republican: Patricia Badovinac, Susan Hucko
District 18 — part of Middlesex County. Democrat: Robert J. Karabinchak (i) Sterley S. Stanley (i); Republican: Eugene DeMarzo, Melanie McCann-Mott
District 19 — part of Middlesex County. Democrat: Craig J. Coughlin (i) Yvonne Lopez (i); Republican: Marilyn Colon, Maria Garcia
District 20 — part of Union County. Democrat: Annette Quijano (i) Ed Rodriguez; Republican: Carmen Bucco
District 21 — parts of Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union counties. Democrat: Vincent Kearney, Andrew Macurdy; Republican: Michele Matsikoudis (i), Nancy Muñoz (i)
District 22 — parts of Somerset and Union counties. Democrat: Linda Carter (i), James Kennedy (i); Republican: Jermaine Caulder, Lisa Fabrizio
District 23 — parts of Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren counties. Democrat: Guy Citron, Tyler Powell; Republican: John DiMaio (i), Erik Peterson (i)
District 24 — parts of Morris, Sussex and Warren counties. Democrat: Steve Barratt, Eugene Grinberg, Dawn Fantasia (i); Republican: Michael Inganamort (i); Other: Lana Leguia (Libertarian Party)
District 25 — parts of Morris and Passaic counties. Democrat: Steven Pylypchuk, Marisa Sweeney; Republican: Christian Barranco (i), Aura Kenny Dunn (i)
District 26 — parts of Morris and Passaic counties. Democrat: Michael Mancuso, Walter Mielarczyk; Republican: Brian Bergen (i), Jay Webber (i)
District 27 — parts of Essex and Passaic counties. Democrat: Rosy Bagolie (i), Alixon Collazos–Gill (i); Republican: Robert Iommazzo, Adam Kraemer
District 28 — parts of Essex and Union counties. Democrat: Cleopatra Tucker (i), Chigozie U. Onyema
District 29 — parts of Essex and Hudson counties. Democrat: Eliana Pintor Marin (i), Shanique Speight (i); Republican: Daniela Ferreira Almeida, Noble Milton
District 30 — parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties. Democrat: Avi Schnall (i), Joanne Debenedictis; Republican: Sean Kean (i), Edward Thomson III
District 31 — part of Hudson County. Democrat: William Sampson (i), Jerry Walker; Republican: Anthony Acosta, Neil Schulman
District 32 — part of Hudson County. Democrat: Ravinder Bhalla, Katie Brennan; Republican: Stephen Bishop, Kaushal Patel
District 33 — part of Hudson County. Democrat: Gabriel Rodriguez (i) Larry Wainstein; Republican: Cynthia DePice, Anthony Valdes
District 34 — part of Essex County. Democrat: Carmen Morales (i), Michael Venezia (i); Republican: Demetrius Eley, Lorenzo Marchese Jr.
District 35— parts of Bergen and Passaic counties. Democrat: Alaa Abdelaziz (i), Kenyatta Stewart; Republican: Nelvin Mercado–Duran, Rawell Perez–Muñoz
District 36 — parts of Bergen and Passaic counties. Democrat: Clinton Calabrese (i), Gary Schaer (i); Republican: Diane DeBiase, Christopher Musto
District 37 — part of Bergen County. Democrat: Shama Haider (i), Ellen Park (i); Republican: Andrew Meehan, Marco Navarro
District 38 — part of Bergen County. Democrat: Lisa Swain (i), Christopher Tully (i); Republican: Robert Kaiser, Barry Wilkes
District 39 — part of Bergen County. Democrat: Donna Abene, Andrew LaBruno; Republican: Robert Auth (i), John Azzariti (i)
District 40 — parts of Bergen, Essex and Passaic counties. Democrat: Ron Arnau, Jeffrey Gates; Republican: Al Barlas (i), Christopher DePhillips (i)
