New Jersey elections, 2009
Encyclopedia
The following offices were up for election in the United States State of New Jersey in the general election
on November 3, 2009:
Persons 18 years or older on the general election date (born on or before November 3, 1991) were eligible to register and vote in the general election.
Governor Jon Corzine
was running for a second term and was being challenged by Republican
Chris Christie
, Independent Christopher Daggett
, and nine others (not including write-in candidates). Christie won the election with about 49 percent of the vote, to 45 percent for Corzine and 6 percent for Daggett. Christie is expected to assume office on January 20, 2010.
This was the first election to fill the newly created office of lieutenant governor
. The candidates for governor and lieutenant governor were joined together as a single choice, so that voters did not have the opportunity to split the ticket. Kim Guadagno
, Christie's running mate, will be New Jersey's first lieutenant governor.
Kenneth Kaplan, the Socialist Party USA's
Greg Pason, and the following independents: Jason Cullen, Joshua Leinsdorf, Alvin Lindsay, David R. Meiswinkle, Kostas Petris, Gary T. Steele
, and Gary Stein. At least five others, including popular New Jersey comedian Uncle Floyd, announced that they would run write-in campaigns.
The following candidates were defeated by Chris Christie in the Republican primary:
The following Republican Primary candidates were removed from the ballot:
had long been considered the front-runner for the Republican nomination. He was heavily favored by the party establishment and had won the endorsement and county line of all county GOP organizations.
Christie's chief opponent in the primary was former Bogota mayor Steve Lonegan
, known for his very right-wing positions and vocal opposition to the Corzine administration; another staunch conservative, General Assemblyman Rick Merkt was also on the ballot.
David Brown, Christian Keller, and Franklin Township
mayor Brian D. Levine also filed to run in the Republican primary, but their petitions were challenged by Lonegan and they were disqualified from the ballot when administrative judges ruled that their nominating petitions failed to meet the threshold of 1,000 valid signatures.
Upon leaving the race, Brown and Levine endorsed Christie.
Christie and Lonegan attacked each other relentlessly throughout the primary campaign through mailers and robocalls, with each seeking to undermine the other by drawing the public's attention to scandals involving the other. Lonegan proposed ending the state's progressive income tax system and replacing it with a 2.9% flat tax
for all New Jerseyans. Christie strongly opposed this proposal, arguing that Lonegan's proposal would amount to a tax increase for most New Jerseyans. Christie instead proposed cutting taxes "across the board," although he refused to say by how much. There were two televised debates, which excluded Merkt, and two radio debates, which included him. Ultimately, Christie was able to win the primary with 55% of the vote to Lonegan's 42% and Merkt's 3%.
, was running on a platform of fiscal discipline, social liberalism, and government reform; he had received the support of the Citizens Against Tolls website. In the primary, Corzine won renomination with 77% of the vote, while Bergmanson, his closest competitor, received about 9%.
announced that he had raised enough money to qualify for public funds and to qualify for participation in the debates. On July 20, Christie selected Kim Guadagno
as his running mate. On July 24, Corzine announced in an e-mail to his supporters that he had selected Loretta Weinberg
as his running mate. On July 27, Daggett announced that he had selected longtime Kean University
professor and administrator Frank J. Esposito
as his running mate.
Although the economy and taxes have long been prominent issues in the campaign, the issue of ethics and anti-corruption efforts was thrust into the spotlight in July when several public officials were arrested on corruption charges in Operation Bid Rig
.
One of Corzine's main lines of attack has involved Christie's ties to the unpopular former President of the United States
George W. Bush
, who appointed Christie to the U.S. Attorney's office in 2001. In August 2009, Bush political strategist Karl Rove
revealed that he had held conversations with Christie about a potential gubernatorial run during Christie's time as U.S. Attorney. U.S. Attorneys are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities by the Hatch Act of 1939
. Corzine quickly incorporated this into his advertisements targeting Christie.
to the New Jersey State Constitution
which created the office of Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, the first of whom is to be elected in the 2009 general election and to take office in January 2010. Until the creation of the office, governors who died in office or stepped down were succeeded by the President of the New Jersey Senate. This has happened twice in recent years, with the resignations of Christine Todd Whitman
in 2001 and James McGreevey in 2004. Concerns over separation of powers (Acting Governors continued to serve concurrently in the Senate) and the fact that Acting Governors were not elected by the people to succeed the Governor led to the Constitutional amendment that created the new office. All 12 candidates for governor appearing on the ballot selected their running mates by the June 27, 2009 deadline.
Chris Christie, the Republican nominee for governor, selected Monmouth Beach
's Kim Guadagno
, the sheriff of Monmouth County
, as his running mate. Others mentioned for the post had included New Jersey Senators
Diane Allen and Jennifer Beck, as well as Bergen County
Clerk Kathleen Donovan
.
Incumbent Governor Jon Corzine, the Democratic nominee, selected Teaneck
's Loretta Weinberg
, a New Jersey Senator
and former New Jersey General Assembly
woman, as his running mate. Other mentioned for the post had included New Jersey Senator Barbara Buono
, New Jersey General Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman
, and wealthy businessman Randal Pinkett
.
Chris Daggett, an independent candidate who has qualified for matching funds, selected Ocean Township
's Frank J. Esposito
, a longtime professor and administrator at Kean University
who served as an advisor to the Commissioner of Education
in the Thomas Kean, Sr. administration, as his running mate. Others mentioned for the post had included Edison
Mayor Jun Choi
, Atlantic County
freeholder Alisa Cooper
, and Passaic County
freeholder James Gallagher
.
of the 31st Legislative District and Republican Daniel Van Pelt
of the 9th Legislative District, were arrested on corruption charges on July 23, 2009. Van Pelt, who was arrested for accepting a $10,000 bribe, resigned from the Assembly and withdrew from his re-election bid on July 31. Smith is under pressure from the Democratic Party to resign, but he has not done so; he is not seeking re-election. It is unclear whether the scandal resulting from the arrests in Operation Bid Rig
will affect the legislative elections in 2009.
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
on November 3, 2009:
- Two statewide offices – Governor of New JerseyGovernor of New JerseyThe Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
and Lieutenant Governor of New JerseyLieutenant Governor of New JerseyThe Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is a position that has existed since January 2010, following conjoint election with the Governor of New Jersey. The position was created as the result of a Constitutional amendment to the New Jersey State Constitution passed by the voters on November 8, 2005...
– for four-year terms. - All 80 seats in the New Jersey General AssemblyNew Jersey General AssemblyThe New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
, the lower house in the New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey LegislatureThe New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
– for two-year terms - Various county and local offices throughout the state
Persons 18 years or older on the general election date (born on or before November 3, 1991) were eligible to register and vote in the general election.
Governor
DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Governor Jon Corzine
Jon Corzine
Jon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
was running for a second term and was being challenged by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Chris Christie
Christopher J. Christie
Christopher James "Chris" Christie is the 55th and current Governor of New Jersey. Upon his election to the governorship in November 2009, Christie became the first Republican to win a statewide election in New Jersey in 12 years. In 2011, he considered entering the race for the Republican...
, Independent Christopher Daggett
Christopher Daggett
Christopher Jarvis "Chris" Daggett is a former regional administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection...
, and nine others (not including write-in candidates). Christie won the election with about 49 percent of the vote, to 45 percent for Corzine and 6 percent for Daggett. Christie is expected to assume office on January 20, 2010.
This was the first election to fill the newly created office of lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey
The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is a position that has existed since January 2010, following conjoint election with the Governor of New Jersey. The position was created as the result of a Constitutional amendment to the New Jersey State Constitution passed by the voters on November 8, 2005...
. The candidates for governor and lieutenant governor were joined together as a single choice, so that voters did not have the opportunity to split the ticket. Kim Guadagno
Kim Guadagno
Kim Guadagno is the first Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, having won the 2009 election as the running mate of Governor Chris Christie. She is also concurrently the Secretary of State of New Jersey.-Early life:...
, Christie's running mate, will be New Jersey's first lieutenant governor.
Major candidates
The following three candidates all qualified to appear, and did appear, in the debates.- Christopher J. ChristieChristopher J. ChristieChristopher James "Chris" Christie is the 55th and current Governor of New Jersey. Upon his election to the governorship in November 2009, Christie became the first Republican to win a statewide election in New Jersey in 12 years. In 2011, he considered entering the race for the Republican...
, RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
of Mendham TownshipMendham Township, New JerseyMendham Township is an affluent township in Morris County, in the central portion of northern New Jersey, United States, located more than due west of New York City. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 5,400...
– former United States AttorneyUnited States AttorneyUnited States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
for the District of New JerseyUnited States District Court for the District of New JerseyThe United States District Court for the District of New Jersey is the federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of New Jersey....
(2001–2008) and former Morris CountyMorris County, New JerseyMorris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
Freeholder (1995–1998) - Jon S. CorzineJon CorzineJon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
, DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
of HobokenHoboken, New JerseyHoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
– incumbentIncumbentThe incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Governor (serving since 2006) and former United States Senator (2001–2006) - Christopher DaggettChristopher DaggettChristopher Jarvis "Chris" Daggett is a former regional administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection...
, IndependentIndependent (politician)In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
of Basking RidgeBasking Ridge, New Jersey- Demographics :As Basking Ridge is not an independent municipality, the following demographic data is based on the United States Census Bureau figures for the ZIP Code Tabulation Area for the 07920 ZIP Code...
– former New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection (1988–1989), Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator (1984–1988), and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor (1982–1984)
Other candidates
Nine other candidates qualified to appear on the ballot as independents or third-party nominees but did not raise enough money to qualify for the debates. These include LibertarianLibertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
Kenneth Kaplan, the Socialist Party USA's
Socialist Party USA
The Socialist Party USA is a multi-tendency democratic-socialist party in the United States. The party states that it is the rightful continuation and successor to the tradition of the Socialist Party of America, which had lasted from 1901 to 1972.The party is officially committed to left-wing...
Greg Pason, and the following independents: Jason Cullen, Joshua Leinsdorf, Alvin Lindsay, David R. Meiswinkle, Kostas Petris, Gary T. Steele
Gary T. Steele
Gary T. Steele is a tax attorney and former candidate for Governor of New Jersey from Kinnelon, New Jersey.-2009 campaign:He ran for governor, as an independent, on a platform of tax reform...
, and Gary Stein. At least five others, including popular New Jersey comedian Uncle Floyd, announced that they would run write-in campaigns.
Primary Election Candidates
The following candidates were defeated by Jon Corzine in the Democratic primary:- Roger Bacon, DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
of PhillipsburgPhillipsburg, New JerseyPhillipsburg, known locally as P'burg, is a town in Warren County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 14,950....
– unsuccessful candidate for the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in New Jersey's 5th congressional districtNew Jersey's 5th congressional districtNew Jersey's Fifth Congressional District is currently represented by Republican Scott Garrett. Garrett defeated Democrat Paul Aronsohn and independent candidate R. Matthew Fretz 55%-44% in the United States general elections, 2006....
in 2008 - Carl BergmansonCarl BergmansonCarl A. Bergmanson is a conservative Democrat and was the mayor of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, a borough 10 miles west of New York City, from 2004 - 2007. Bergmanson is a vocal critic of the Democratic Party establishment in New Jersey...
, DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
of Glen RidgeGlen Ridge, New JerseyGlen Ridge is a borough in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,527. In 2010, Glen Ridge was ranked as the 38th Best Place to live by New Jersey Monthly magazine....
– former Mayor of Glen Ridge (2004–2008) - Jeff Boss, DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
of GuttenbergGuttenberg, New JerseyGuttenberg , is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the town population was 11,176. Only four blocks wide, Guttenberg is one of the smallest municipalities in New Jersey and the most densely populated incorporated place in the...
– unsuccessful candidate for United States SenateUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 2008
The following candidates were defeated by Chris Christie in the Republican primary:
- Steve LoneganSteve LoneganSteven M. Lonegan was mayor of Bogota, New Jersey from 1995–2007 and a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of New Jersey in 2005 and 2009. He is the Director of the New Jersey chapter of Americans for Prosperity....
, RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
of BogotaBogota, New JerseyAs of the 2010 Census, Bogota had a population of 8,187. The median age was 38.6. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 61.0% White, 9.4% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 9.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander, 14.8% some other race and 4.1% reporting...
– former Mayor of Bogota (1995–2007) - Rick Merkt, RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
of Mendham TownshipMendham Township, New JerseyMendham Township is an affluent township in Morris County, in the central portion of northern New Jersey, United States, located more than due west of New York City. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 5,400...
– New Jersey General Assemblyman (serving since 1998)
The following Republican Primary candidates were removed from the ballot:
- David Brown, Republican of South Brunswick
- Christian Keller, RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
of LeesburgLeesburg, New JerseyLeesburg is an unincorporated area within Maurice River Township in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP code 08327....
– New Jersey Department of CorrectionsNew Jersey Department of CorrectionsThe New Jersey Department of Corrections is responsible for operations and management of prison facilities in the U.S. state of New Jersey...
employee - Brian D. Levine, RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
of Franklin TownshipFranklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey-Communities of Franklin Township:The following are census-designated places, unincorporated enclaves, and historical communities located within Franklin Township...
– Mayor of Franklin Township (serving since 2005)
Republican primary
Former U.S. Attorney Christopher J. ChristieChristopher J. Christie
Christopher James "Chris" Christie is the 55th and current Governor of New Jersey. Upon his election to the governorship in November 2009, Christie became the first Republican to win a statewide election in New Jersey in 12 years. In 2011, he considered entering the race for the Republican...
had long been considered the front-runner for the Republican nomination. He was heavily favored by the party establishment and had won the endorsement and county line of all county GOP organizations.
Christie's chief opponent in the primary was former Bogota mayor Steve Lonegan
Steve Lonegan
Steven M. Lonegan was mayor of Bogota, New Jersey from 1995–2007 and a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of New Jersey in 2005 and 2009. He is the Director of the New Jersey chapter of Americans for Prosperity....
, known for his very right-wing positions and vocal opposition to the Corzine administration; another staunch conservative, General Assemblyman Rick Merkt was also on the ballot.
David Brown, Christian Keller, and Franklin Township
Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey
-Communities of Franklin Township:The following are census-designated places, unincorporated enclaves, and historical communities located within Franklin Township...
mayor Brian D. Levine also filed to run in the Republican primary, but their petitions were challenged by Lonegan and they were disqualified from the ballot when administrative judges ruled that their nominating petitions failed to meet the threshold of 1,000 valid signatures.
Upon leaving the race, Brown and Levine endorsed Christie.
Christie and Lonegan attacked each other relentlessly throughout the primary campaign through mailers and robocalls, with each seeking to undermine the other by drawing the public's attention to scandals involving the other. Lonegan proposed ending the state's progressive income tax system and replacing it with a 2.9% flat tax
Flat tax
A flat tax is a tax system with a constant marginal tax rate. Typically the term flat tax is applied in the context of an individual or corporate income that will be taxed at one marginal rate...
for all New Jerseyans. Christie strongly opposed this proposal, arguing that Lonegan's proposal would amount to a tax increase for most New Jerseyans. Christie instead proposed cutting taxes "across the board," although he refused to say by how much. There were two televised debates, which excluded Merkt, and two radio debates, which included him. Ultimately, Christie was able to win the primary with 55% of the vote to Lonegan's 42% and Merkt's 3%.
Democratic primary
Although polls indicated his vulnerability in the general election, Governor Jon S. Corzine was heavily favored to win the Democratic primary over his three little-known challengers. The only one of those to have held elected office, former Glen Ridge mayor Carl BergmansonCarl Bergmanson
Carl A. Bergmanson is a conservative Democrat and was the mayor of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, a borough 10 miles west of New York City, from 2004 - 2007. Bergmanson is a vocal critic of the Democratic Party establishment in New Jersey...
, was running on a platform of fiscal discipline, social liberalism, and government reform; he had received the support of the Citizens Against Tolls website. In the primary, Corzine won renomination with 77% of the vote, while Bergmanson, his closest competitor, received about 9%.
General election
Since the primaries, polls have consistently showed Christie leading Corzine, sometimes by double-digits. The election became a three-way race on July 7, when independent candidate Christopher DaggettChristopher Daggett
Christopher Jarvis "Chris" Daggett is a former regional administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection...
announced that he had raised enough money to qualify for public funds and to qualify for participation in the debates. On July 20, Christie selected Kim Guadagno
Kim Guadagno
Kim Guadagno is the first Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, having won the 2009 election as the running mate of Governor Chris Christie. She is also concurrently the Secretary of State of New Jersey.-Early life:...
as his running mate. On July 24, Corzine announced in an e-mail to his supporters that he had selected Loretta Weinberg
Loretta Weinberg
Loretta Weinberg is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served as a member of the New Jersey Senate since 2005, where she represents the 37th Legislative District...
as his running mate. On July 27, Daggett announced that he had selected longtime Kean University
Kean University
Kean University is a coeducational, public research university located in Union and Hillside, New Jersey, United States. Kean University serves its students in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions with a dedication to intellectual and cultural growth and is best known for its...
professor and administrator Frank J. Esposito
Frank J. Esposito
Frank John Esposito is an American historian, educator, and university administrator. He is the Distinguished Service Professor of History at Kean University in Union, New Jersey...
as his running mate.
Although the economy and taxes have long been prominent issues in the campaign, the issue of ethics and anti-corruption efforts was thrust into the spotlight in July when several public officials were arrested on corruption charges in Operation Bid Rig
Operation Bid Rig
Operation Bid Rig is an ongoing, long-term investigation into political corruption in New Jersey conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey since 2002...
.
One of Corzine's main lines of attack has involved Christie's ties to the unpopular former President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, who appointed Christie to the U.S. Attorney's office in 2001. In August 2009, Bush political strategist Karl Rove
Karl Rove
Karl Christian Rove was Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to former President George W. Bush until Rove's resignation on August 31, 2007. He has headed the Office of Political Affairs, the Office of Public Liaison, and the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives...
revealed that he had held conversations with Christie about a potential gubernatorial run during Christie's time as U.S. Attorney. U.S. Attorneys are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities by the Hatch Act of 1939
Hatch Act of 1939
The Hatch Act of 1939 is a United States federal law whose main provision is to prohibit federal employees in the executive branch of the federal government, except the President and the Vice President, from engaging in partisan political activity...
. Corzine quickly incorporated this into his advertisements targeting Christie.
Lieutenant governor
On November 8, 2005, voters passed an Constitutional amendmentConstitutional amendment
A constitutional amendment is a formal change to the text of the written constitution of a nation or state.Most constitutions require that amendments cannot be enacted unless they have passed a special procedure that is more stringent than that required of ordinary legislation...
to the New Jersey State Constitution
New Jersey State Constitution
The Constitution of the State of New Jersey is the basic governing document of the State of New Jersey. In addition to three British Royal Charters issued for East Jersey, West Jersey and united New Jersey while they were still colonies, the state has been governed by three constitutions...
which created the office of Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, the first of whom is to be elected in the 2009 general election and to take office in January 2010. Until the creation of the office, governors who died in office or stepped down were succeeded by the President of the New Jersey Senate. This has happened twice in recent years, with the resignations of Christine Todd Whitman
Christine Todd Whitman
Christine Todd "Christie" Whitman is an American Republican politician and author who served as the 50th Governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001, and was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2003. She was New...
in 2001 and James McGreevey in 2004. Concerns over separation of powers (Acting Governors continued to serve concurrently in the Senate) and the fact that Acting Governors were not elected by the people to succeed the Governor led to the Constitutional amendment that created the new office. All 12 candidates for governor appearing on the ballot selected their running mates by the June 27, 2009 deadline.
Chris Christie, the Republican nominee for governor, selected Monmouth Beach
Monmouth Beach, New Jersey
Monmouth Beach is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 3,279....
's Kim Guadagno
Kim Guadagno
Kim Guadagno is the first Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, having won the 2009 election as the running mate of Governor Chris Christie. She is also concurrently the Secretary of State of New Jersey.-Early life:...
, the sheriff of Monmouth County
Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 630,380, up from 615,301 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Freehold Borough. The most populous municipality is Middletown Township with...
, as his running mate. Others mentioned for the post had included New Jersey Senators
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
Diane Allen and Jennifer Beck, as well as Bergen County
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
Clerk Kathleen Donovan
Kathleen Donovan
Kathleen A. Donovan is an American Republican Party politician, who is currently serving her first term as County Executive of Bergen County, New Jersey. She previously served as County Clerk for four terms, one term in the New Jersey General Assembly...
.
Incumbent Governor Jon Corzine, the Democratic nominee, selected Teaneck
Teaneck, New Jersey
Teaneck is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, and a suburb in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 39,776, making it the second-most populous among the 70 municipalities in Bergen County....
's Loretta Weinberg
Loretta Weinberg
Loretta Weinberg is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served as a member of the New Jersey Senate since 2005, where she represents the 37th Legislative District...
, a New Jersey Senator
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
and former New Jersey General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
woman, as his running mate. Other mentioned for the post had included New Jersey Senator Barbara Buono
Barbara Buono
Barbara Buono is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 2002, where she represents the 18th Legislative District....
, New Jersey General Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson Coleman is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1998, where she represents the 15th Legislative District....
, and wealthy businessman Randal Pinkett
Randal Pinkett
Randal D. Pinkett is a business consultant who in 2005 was the winner of season four of the reality television show, The Apprentice...
.
Chris Daggett, an independent candidate who has qualified for matching funds, selected Ocean Township
Ocean Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey
Ocean Township is a township located in east central Monmouth County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 27,291.Oakhurst and Wanamassa Ocean Township is a township located in east central Monmouth County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
's Frank J. Esposito
Frank J. Esposito
Frank John Esposito is an American historian, educator, and university administrator. He is the Distinguished Service Professor of History at Kean University in Union, New Jersey...
, a longtime professor and administrator at Kean University
Kean University
Kean University is a coeducational, public research university located in Union and Hillside, New Jersey, United States. Kean University serves its students in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions with a dedication to intellectual and cultural growth and is best known for its...
who served as an advisor to the Commissioner of Education
New Jersey Department of Education
The New Jersey Department of Education administers state and federal aid programs affecting more than 1.4 million public and non-public elementary and secondary school children in the state of New Jersey. The department is headquartered in Trenton.The Department is responsible for ensuring that...
in the Thomas Kean, Sr. administration, as his running mate. Others mentioned for the post had included Edison
Edison, New Jersey
Edison Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey. What is now Edison Township was originally incorporated as Raritan Township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1870, from portions of both Piscataway Township and Woodbridge Township...
Mayor Jun Choi
Jun Choi
Jun H. Choi is an American politician and the former Mayor of Edison, New Jersey, a community of over 100,000 people and the fifth largest municipality in the state. He was sworn in on January 1, 2006 as the youngest mayor in Edison history...
, Atlantic County
Atlantic County, New Jersey
-National protected areas:* Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge * Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River -Demographics:...
freeholder Alisa Cooper
Alisa Cooper
Alisa Cooper is an American Democratic Party politician. She lives in Linwood, New Jersey. She is the Freeholder At Large for Atlantic County, New Jersey. She is also President of Alisa Cooper Orchestras and she teaches in the Egg Harbor Township School District. She is also the daughter of the...
, and Passaic County
Passaic County, New Jersey
Passaic County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 501,226. Its county seat is Paterson...
freeholder James Gallagher
James Gallagher (American politician)
James Gallagher is an American Democratic Party politician, who was elected to the Passaic County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders for three-year terms in 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006. He served as Deputy Freeholder Director in 2005 and as Director of the Freeholder Board in 2003...
.
Special elections
- 6th Legislative District: Sen. John AdlerJohn AdlerJohn Herbert Adler was a U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He was formerly a member of the New Jersey Senate from 1992 to 2009, where he represented the 6th Legislative District. The district stretches from the suburbs of Philadelphia...
(D) resigned his seat to take office in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was replaced in a special election convention in January 2009 by then-Camden CountyCamden County, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census the population of Camden County was 60.28% Non-Hispanic white, 18.45% Non-Hispanic black, 1.12% Hispanic blacks, 0.17% Non-Hispanic Native American, 0.15% Hispanic Native Americans, 5.07% Non-Hispanic Asian, and 0.14% non-Hispanics reporting some other race...
Clerk James BeachJames BeachJames "Jim" Beach is an American Democratic Party politician who has served in the New Jersey Senate since 2009, where he represents the 6th legislative district. He serves in the Senate on the Environment and Labor Committees....
. Beach will run in a special election in November to keep the seat for the rest of Adler's four-year term. He is being challenged by Republican Joseph Adolf, former mayor of MagnoliaMagnolia, New JerseyMagnolia is a Borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 4,341.Magnolia was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14, 1915, from portions of the now-defunct Centre Township, and parts of...
.
- 23rd Legislative District: Sen. Leonard LanceLeonard LanceLeonard Lance is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the New Jersey Senate and the New Jersey General Assembly....
resigned his seat to take office in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was replaced in a special election convention in January 2009 by then-Assemblywoman Marcia A. KarrowMarcia A. KarrowMarcia A. Karrow is an American Republican Party politician who served in the New Jersey State Senate where she represented the 23rd legislative district, having taken office on February 9, 2009. She had won a January 24, 2009 special election convention, defeating Assemblyman Michael J...
, who was selected over Assemblyman Michael J. DohertyMichael J. DohertyMichael J. Doherty is an American Republican Party politician who serves in the New Jersey Senate representing the 23rd legislative district. He won the seat held by Marcia A. Karrow, who had earlier been selected by a party convention to succeed Leonard Lance after his election to the United...
. Doherty declared his candidacy in the primary; he defeated Karrow in the Republican primary by approximately 1,000 votes, with 52% of those cast going to him. Doherty will now run against Democrat Harvey Baron, an orthopaedic surgeon, for the remainder of Lance's four-year term in the November special election.
Regularly scheduled elections
All 80 seats in the lower house of the legislature, the General Assembly, are up for election. Voters in each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts will elect two General Assemblymen. Two sitting General Assemblymen, Democrat L. Harvey SmithL. Harvey Smith
L. Harvey Smith is an American Democratic Party politician who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly from January 8, 2008 to January 10, 2010, where he represented the 31st legislative district. He is the former Acting Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey and previously served in the New...
of the 31st Legislative District and Republican Daniel Van Pelt
Daniel Van Pelt
Daniel Van Pelt is an American Republican politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from January 8, 2008, until July 31, 2009, when he resigned after being arrested in connection with Operation Bid Rig on federal corruption charges for allegedly accepting a $10,000 bribe. He was...
of the 9th Legislative District, were arrested on corruption charges on July 23, 2009. Van Pelt, who was arrested for accepting a $10,000 bribe, resigned from the Assembly and withdrew from his re-election bid on July 31. Smith is under pressure from the Democratic Party to resign, but he has not done so; he is not seeking re-election. It is unclear whether the scandal resulting from the arrests in Operation Bid Rig
Operation Bid Rig
Operation Bid Rig is an ongoing, long-term investigation into political corruption in New Jersey conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey since 2002...
will affect the legislative elections in 2009.
Notable races and open seats
- 1st Legislative District: This district was considered a battleground in the 2009 General Assembly election. Incumbent Democrats Matthew Milam and Nelson AlbanoNelson AlbanoNelson Albano is an American Democratic Party politician, who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly where he represents the 1st legislative district, having taken office on January 10, 2006. Albano was elected to the Assembly on November 8, 2005, unseating John C...
were seeking a second and third term respectively. They were being challenged by 2007 candidate Michael Donohue, an attorney, and John McCann, a real estate agent in Ocean CityOcean City, New JerseyOcean City is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is the principal city of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Cape May County. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 11,701...
who chairs that city's Republican committee. Upper TownshipUpper Township, New JerseyUpper Township is a large township in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. The township population was 12,115 as of the United States 2000 Census...
Committeeman Frank Conrad was Donohue's running mate until June 20, 2009, when he withdrew from the race to focus on his highway safety equipment business. The GOP was vigorously pursuing the seats. Republican polling released on August 19 showed Republicans winning these Assembly seats in a generic ballot test, 48% to 29%. These were the only Democratic seats forecast as "Leans Republican" by PolitickerNJ.com.
- 3rd Legislative District: Democratic Assemblyman Doug FisherDouglas H. FisherDouglas H. Fisher is the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture and an American Democratic Party politician. He served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2002-2009, representing the 3rd legislative district.-Education:...
resigned his seat in March 2009 to be sworn in as New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture. Fisher was replaced by Celeste RileyCeleste RileyCeleste M. Riley is an American Democratic Party politician who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2009, where she represents the 3rd legislative district. Riley is the first woman to represent this district in the New Jersey Legislature....
, previously a BridgetonBridgeton, New JerseyBridgeton is a city in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States, in the south part of the state, on the Cohansey River, near Delaware Bay. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 25,349. It is the county seat of Cumberland County...
Council President. Surgeon Robert Villare and commercial oven repairman Lee Lucas won the Republican nomination over former Cumberland CountyCumberland County, New JerseyCumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population is 156,898. Its county seat is Bridgeton. Cumberland County is named for Prince William, Duke of Cumberland....
surrogate and freeholder Arthur Marchand and Greenwich TownshipGreenwich Township, Gloucester County, New JerseyGreenwich Township is a township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 4,879....
mayor George Shivery. While the state GOP did not view Villare and Lucas as viable candidates, and Riley and fellow incumbent John J. BurzichelliJohn J. BurzichelliJohn J. Burzichelli is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2003, where he represents the 3rd legislative district...
were expected to win easily with PolitickerNJ.com forecasted these seats as "Safe Democratic," the race for the second seat was closer than anticipated, with Riley besting Villare by a little more than 1200 votes.
- 4th Legislative District: Democratic Assemblywoman Sandra LoveSandra LoveSandra Love is an American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008 to January 12, 2010, where she represented the 4th Legislative District....
announced that she would not run for a second term, citing health issues. The other incumbent assemblyman, Democrat Paul Moriarty, was running for re-election with new running mate Bill Collins, formerly of the Gloucester TownshipGloucester Township, New JerseyGloucester Township is a Township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 64,634...
school board. Former Gloucester Township Councilman Eugene E.T. Lawrence, who served on the council as a Democrat, was nominated in the Republican primary, having switched parties to express his disdain for Governor Corzine's budget proposals. Dominick DiCicco of FranklinvilleFranklinville, New JerseyFranklinville is an unincorporated area within Franklin Township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 08322....
, who was endorsed by Newt GingrichNewt GingrichNewton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich is a U.S. Republican Party politician who served as the House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995 and as the 58th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999....
in the primary, was the other Republican nominee. DiCicco is currently the Chief Legal Officer of North American Claim Operation for Zurich Financial ServicesZurich Financial ServicesZurich Financial Services AG is a major financial services group based in Zurich, Switzerland.-History:The Company was founded in 1872 as subsidiary of the Schweiz Marine Insurance Company under the name Versicherung Verein...
. Lawrence and DiCicco defeated Andrew Savicky in the Republican primary. Republican polling released on August 19 showed showed Republicans winning these Assembly seats in a generic ballot test, 41% to 33%. However, PolitickerNJ.com had classified these seats as "Likely Democratic." Unofficial results show Moriarty being re-elected, with DiCicco defeating Collins by a little more than 1,000 votes.
- 5th Legislative District: Democratic Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-PerezNilsa Cruz-PerezNilsa Cruz-Perez is an American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1995 to 2010, where she represented the 5th legislative district...
is retiring after fourteen years in office. CamdenCamden, New JerseyThe city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
City Council President Angel FuentesAngel FuentesAngel Fuentes is an American Democratic Party politician who was elected to serve in the New Jersey General Assembly in 2009. He represents the 5th legislative district...
was nominated in the Democratic primary to take her place on the ballot. Joe Roberts, a veteran assemblyman and the current Assembly Speaker, was also nominated in the June primary; however, on September 2, he announced that he would not be seeking re-election after all, saying at a state house press conference, "I think it’s, from my perspective, just time to take a break." Party leaders selected Fuentes's new running mate on September 12: labor leader Donald NorcrossDonald NorcrossDonald Norcross is an American labor leader and Democratic Party politician who represents the 5th legislative district in the New Jersey Senate. He was sworn in on January 19, 2010, two days after being selected by Camden County and Gloucester County Democrats to replace Dana Redd...
, who is also a Camden CountyCamden County, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census the population of Camden County was 60.28% Non-Hispanic white, 18.45% Non-Hispanic black, 1.12% Hispanic blacks, 0.17% Non-Hispanic Native American, 0.15% Hispanic Native Americans, 5.07% Non-Hispanic Asian, and 0.14% non-Hispanics reporting some other race...
Democratic Party co-chair and South Jersey political boss George Norcross's brother. The Republican nominees in this heavily Democratic district were Brian Kluchnick of Haddon HeightsHaddon Heights, New JerseyHaddon Heights is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population is 7,473....
and Stepfanie Velez-Gentry of BellmawrBellmawr, New Jersey-Local government:Bellmawr is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a mayor and a borough council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office...
. PolitickerNJ.com forecasted these seats as "Safe Democratic.".
Winners: Norcross & Fuentes
- 9th Legislative District: Republican Assemblyman Daniel Van PeltDaniel Van PeltDaniel Van Pelt is an American Republican politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from January 8, 2008, until July 31, 2009, when he resigned after being arrested in connection with Operation Bid Rig on federal corruption charges for allegedly accepting a $10,000 bribe. He was...
resigned and withdrew from his re-election bid on July 31, after being indicted on corruption charges. He was replaced on the ballot by DiAnne GoveDiAnne GoveDiAnne C. Gove is an American Republican Party politician who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 9th legislative district...
, the former mayor and a current commissioner of Long Beach TownshipLong Beach Township, New JerseyLong Beach Township is a Walsh Act Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 3,051....
. Incumbent Republican Brian E. RumpfBrian E. RumpfBrian E. Rumpf is an American Republican politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2003, where he represents the 9th legislative district.-Biography:He was born in Somerville, New Jersey on May 11, 1964....
was running for re-election. The Democratic nominees were attorneys Rich Visotcky of Stafford TownshipStafford Township, New Jersey-Transportation:Stafford is served by a few major roads. CR 539 passes through in the western part. U.S. Route 9 passes north-south through the center of the township and Route 72 is the main artery that passes from the northwest to the southeast...
and Rob Rue of TuckertonTuckerton, New JerseyTuckerton is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, named for founder Ebenezer Tucker , and was a port of entry, but not the third Port of Entry as commonly believed, in the United States As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 3,517.Tuckerton was incorporated as a borough...
. PolitickerNJ.com forecasted these seats as "Safe Republican.".
Winners: Rumpf & Gove
- 12th Legislative District: The Democratic Party was targeting freshmen Republican incumbents Declan O'ScanlonDeclan O'ScanlonDeclan Joseph O'Scanlon, Jr. is an American Republican Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008, where he represents the 12th legislative district....
and Caroline CasagrandeCaroline CasagrandeCaroline Casagrande is an American Republican Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008, where she represents the 12th legislative district. She is the youngest assemblywoman ever elected in New Jersey.-Early life and family:Casagrande was born in...
. Democrats have a registration edge of 10,000 voters in the district. Former Manalapan Mayor and current township committeewoman Michelle Roth wwas running on a Democratic ticket with John Amberg of Tinton FallsTinton Falls, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 15,053 people, 5,883 households, and 3,976 families residing in the borough. The population density was 965.7 people per square mile . There were 6,211 housing units at an average density of 398.4 per square mile...
, a teacher in the IrvingtonIrvington, New JerseyIrvington is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 53,926, a decline of 11.2% from the 60,695 residents enumerated in the 2000 Census.-Geography:...
Public Schools. The Council on Affordable HousingCouncil on Affordable HousingThe Council on Affordable Housing is an agency of the Government of New Jersey within the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs that is responsible for ensuring that all 566 New Jersey municipalities provide their fair share of low and moderate income housing...
is a major issue in the district, especially in towns like Marlboro, where Mayor Jon Hornik told Governor Corzine: "If you don’t kill COAH, it will kill my town." Casagrande and O'Scanlon both voted against the Democratic affordable housing bill in 2008; it passed anyway. Roth and Amberg did not take a stance on COAH on their website. Instead, they were campaigning on a platform of ending fiscal waste and improving government transparency. PolitickerNJ.com forecasted these seats as "Likely Republican.">.
Winners: Casagrande & O'Scanlon
- 14th Legislative District: Democratic incumbents Linda Greenstein and Wayne DeAngeloWayne DeAngeloWayne P. DeAngelo is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008, where he represents the 14th legislative district....
represent a district that elected a Republican, Bill BaroniBill BaroniWilliam E. "Bill" Baroni, Jr. is an American Republican Party politician and law professor who was named by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in February 2010 to serve as the Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the nation’s busiest airport...
, to the New Jersey Senate that same year. Because this district is heavily populated by unionized state workers, being pro-labor is considered a tremendous asset in this district. Republican gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie has supported the reduction of state workers to cut state spending, however; thus, alignment with Christie is something of a liability in this district. On the other hand, many state workers are also dissatisfied with Governor Corzine's imposition of unpaid furloughs and wage freezes. As a result of all of this, the district was considered highly competitive. The Republican challengers were Robert Calabro, a member of the HamiltonHamilton Township, Mercer County, New JerseyHamilton Township is a Township in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township had a total population of 88,464...
planning board who owns food markets and cafes in Hamilton and Trenton, and attorney William Harvey, also of Hamilton. Brian Hackett, a 21-year-old student activist at The College of New JerseyThe College of New JerseyThe College of New Jersey, abbreviated TCNJ, is a public, coeducational university located in Ewing Township, New Jersey, a suburb of Trenton....
, was defeated in the primary. Gene Baldassari, who was added to the ballot by petition, was the first New Jersey candidate of the Modern Whig PartyModern Whig PartyThe Modern Whig Party is a United States political party whose stated intention is to be a "party for the rest of us." The Modern Whig Party describes itself as a mainstream, middle-of-the-road grassroots movement that caters to those voters who believe in various Republican issues but also believe...
ever. Republican polling released on August 19 showed Republicans winning these Assembly seats in a generic ballot test, 47% to 36%. However, PolitickerNJ.com classified these seats as "Safe Democratic.".
Winners: Greenstein & DeAngelo
- 19th Legislative District: Upon being indicted on corruption charges, Democratic Assemblyman Joseph VasJoseph VasJoseph Vas is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2004–2010, where he represented the 19th Legislative District. He did not seek re-election to the assembly in 2009. He also served as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey from 1990 to 2008...
announced that he would not seek a second term. Jack O'Leary, longtime Mayor of South AmboySouth Amboy, New JerseySouth Amboy is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, on the Raritan Bay. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city population was 7,913.South Amboy, and Perth Amboy across the Raritan River, are collectively referred to as The Amboys...
, took Vas's place on a ticket with incumbent Democrat John S. WisniewskiJohn S. WisniewskiJohn S. Wisniewski is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, where he represents the 19th Legislative District....
. However, dogged by a state investigation into his insurance business and intra-party pressure to bow out of the race, O'Leary ended his campaign on August 17. He was replaced on the ballot on September 2 by Craig CoughlinCraig CoughlinCraig J. Coughlin is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2010, where he represents the 19th Legislative District....
of Woodbridge, a retired municipal judge who currently serves as Woodbridge's municipal attorney and previously served as CarteretCarteret, New JerseyCarteret is a borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 22,844.Carteret was created as the borough of Roosevelt on 11 April 1906, incorporating Woodbridge Township, and was a result of a referendum on 22 May 1906...
's borough attorney and as a South Amboy Councilman. Peter Kothari, an Indian-American businessman, was running on the GOP ticket with Perth Amboy real estate broker Richard Piatkowski, who ran for Congress in 2004. James Poesl, an environmental emergency response professional from WoodbridgeWoodbridge Township, New Jersey-Communities:Many distinct communities exist within Woodbridge Township. Several of these communities have their own ZIP codes, and many are listed by the United States Census Bureau as census-designated places, but they are all unincorporated areas and neighborhoods within the Township that,...
, was running as an "Independent Conservative." Polling released on August 19 showed Republicans winning these Assembly seats in a generic ballot test, 46% to 31%. However, PolitickerNJ.com classified these seats as "Likely Democratic.">>>.
Winners: Wisniewski & Coughlin
- 20th Legislative District: Democratic Assemblyman Neil M. CohenNeil M. CohenNeil M. Cohen is an American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1994 to 2008 , where he represented the 20th Legislative District....
resigned on July 28, 2008, while under investigation by state authorities for possession of child pornographyChild pornographyChild pornography refers to images or films and, in some cases, writings depicting sexually explicit activities involving a child...
. (Cohen has since been indicted for official misconduct, possession of child pornography, and reproduction and distribution of child pornography.) ElizabethElizabeth, New JerseyElizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
attorney Annette QuijanoAnnette QuijanoAnnette Quijano is an American Democratic Party politician, who was selected by Union County Democrats to fill a vacancy to represent the 20th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly and has since been re-elected twice to her Assembly seat. Quijano succeeds Neil M...
was selected to complete Cohen's term in the Assembly; she ran for election to a term in her own right as the running mate of veteran Democratic Assemblyman and State Democratic Chairman Joseph CryanJoseph CryanJoseph Cryan is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2002, where he represents the 20th Legislative District...
of Union TownshipUnion Township, Union County, New JerseyUnion is a Township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. In the 18th century, the area that is now Union was then called Connecticut Farms...
. Quijano and Cryan ran unopposed.
Winners: Cryan & Quijano
- 21st Legislative District: Republican Assemblyman Eric MunozEric MunozEric Munoz, M.D., MBA, FACS was an American Republican Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2001, where he represented the 21st legislative district, until his death on March 30, 2009...
died in office on March 30, 2009, at the age of 61. A special convention selected his widow, Nancy MunozNancy MunozNancy F. Munoz is an American Republican Party politician who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2009, where she represents the 21st Legislative District....
, as his successor. She then defeated Long Hill TownshipLong Hill Township, New Jersey-Local government:Long Hill Township is governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for...
Mayor George Vitureira and Long Hill school board member Bruce Meringolo for the seat in the Republican primary. Former CranfordCranford, New JerseyCranford is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 22,625.Cranford was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1871, from portions of the Townships of Clark, Linden,...
mayor Norman Albert and Springfield attorney Bruce Bergen ran on the Democratic ticket. The late Munoz's running mate, Republican Jon BramnickJon BramnickJon Bramnick is an American Republican Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2003, where he represents the 21st legislative district. He was appointed to the Assembly in 2003 to fill the unexpired term of the vacancy created upon the selection of Thomas Kean,...
, ran successfully for re-election; Nancy Munoz was elected to her first full term. PolitickerNJ.com forecast these seats as "Safe Republican."
Winners: Bramnick & Munoz
- 23rd Legislative District: Republican Assemblywoman Marcia A. KarrowMarcia A. KarrowMarcia A. Karrow is an American Republican Party politician who served in the New Jersey State Senate where she represented the 23rd legislative district, having taken office on February 9, 2009. She had won a January 24, 2009 special election convention, defeating Assemblyman Michael J...
resigned her assembly seat to succeed newly elected U.S. Representative Leonard LanceLeonard LanceLeonard Lance is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the New Jersey Senate and the New Jersey General Assembly....
in the New Jersey Senate. Karrow was replaced in the General Assembly by then-Warren CountyWarren County, New JerseyWarren County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 108,692. Its county seat is Belvidere...
freeholder John DiMaioJohn DiMaioJohn DiMaio is an American Republican Party politician, who was selected on February 21, 2009 to fill the New Jersey General Assembly seat for the 23rd legislative district vacated by Marcia A. Karrow, after Karrow filled the vacancy for the New Jersey Senate in the same district...
. The other assemblyman from this district, Michael J. DohertyMichael J. DohertyMichael J. Doherty is an American Republican Party politician who serves in the New Jersey Senate representing the 23rd legislative district. He won the seat held by Marcia A. Karrow, who had earlier been selected by a party convention to succeed Leonard Lance after his election to the United...
, challenged Karrow in the Republican primary for the Senate seat and won, thus giving up his seat in the Assembly to run for Senate. In the Republican primary for the assembly seats, DiMaio and Hunterdon CountyHunterdon County, New JerseyHunterdon County is a county located in the western section of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 128,349. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Flemington....
freeholder Erik PetersonErik PetersonErik C. Peterson is an American Republican Party politician who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 23rd legislative district. Peterson, who previously served on the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders, replaced Assemblyman Michael J. Doherty, who was elected to...
narrowly won the nomination, edging Doherty's chief of staff, Edward Smith. The Democratic nominees in this overwhelmingly Republican district were William Courtney of Readington and Tammeisha Smith of ColumbiaColumbia, New JerseyColumbia is a census-designated place within Knowlton Township in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 07832.As of the United States 2010 Census, the population for Columbia was 229....
; DiMaio and Peterson defeated them easily. PolitickerNJ.com forecast these seats as "Safe Republican."
Winners: DiMaio & Peterson
- 25th Legislative District: Republican Assemblyman Rick Merkt decided to run for governor rather than seeking re-election to his seat. Attorney Tony BuccoTony BuccoAnthony Mark Bucco is an American Republican Party politician who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 25th legislative district. Bucco is an attorney who currently serves on the Morris County Republican Committee as its general counsel...
, the son of New Jersey Senator Anthony BuccoAnthony BuccoAnthony R. Bucco is an American Republican Party politician who has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 1998, where he represents the 25th Legislative District.-Biography:...
, ran against Morris CountyMorris County, New JerseyMorris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
freeholder Douglas Cabana for Merkt's seat in the Republican primary. Bucco defeated Cabana by less than 800 votes; putting him on a ticket with incumbent Republican Michael Patrick CarrollMichael Patrick CarrollMichael Patrick Carroll is an American Republican Party politician from New Jersey. He represents the 25th legislative district, first taking office in 1996....
. The Democratic nominees in this district were Rebekah Conroy of MorristownMorristown, New JerseyMorristown is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 18,411. It is the county seat of Morris County. Morristown became characterized as "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the...
and Wendy Wright of Boonton TownshipBoonton Township, New JerseyBoonton Township is a Township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 4,263....
. Carroll and Bucco won easily in this Republican stronghold. PolitickerNJ.com forecast these seats as "Safe Republican."
Winners: Bucco & Carroll
- 31st Legislative District: Democratic Assemblyman L. Harvey SmithL. Harvey SmithL. Harvey Smith is an American Democratic Party politician who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly from January 8, 2008 to January 10, 2010, where he represented the 31st legislative district. He is the former Acting Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey and previously served in the New...
did not seek re-election in 2009. Charles MainorCharles MainorCharles Mainor is an American Democratic Party politician who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 31st legislative district. Mainor is a police detective in Jersey City. He succeeded L...
, a police detective from Jersey CityJersey City, New JerseyJersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
, won the Democratic primary, defeating Ronnie Meadows and Monique Snow; putting him on a ticket with incumbent Democrat Anthony ChiapponeAnthony ChiapponeAnthony Chiappone is an American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represented the 31st legislative district...
. Since Smith's arrest on corruption charges in July, he has been under pressure from Democratic Party leaders to resign; if he does so, Mainor would probably be appointed to Smith's seat. Chiappone was indicted for theft by deception, among other charges, on August 26, but neither resigned nor withdrew from his re-election bid. The Republican nominees in this overwhelmingly Democratic district were attorney Irene Kim Asbury and health instructor Marie Day. PolitickerNJ.com forecast these seats as "Safe Democratic."
Winners: Mainor & Chiappone Mainor and the indicted Chiappone both won the election.
- 36th Legislative District: Democratic incumbents Gary SchaerGary SchaerGary Schaer is an American Democratic Party politician who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly where he represents the 36th legislative district, having taken office on January 10, 2006, and on the Passaic, New Jersey City Council where he is the council president...
and Frederick ScaleraFrederick ScaleraFrederick Scalera is an American Democratic Party politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2003 to 2011, representing the 36th legislative district.-Biography:...
were considered Republican targets. Schaer and Scalera were challenged by the same ticket that came very close to unseating them in the 2007 election: CarlstadtCarlstadt, New JerseyCarlstadt is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 6,127.Carlstadt was originally formed as a village by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 12, 1860, within Lodi Township. It was named after Dr...
school board member Don Diorio and real estate investment manager Carmen Pio Costa of NutleyNutley, New Jersey2010 Census Data:*TOTAL: 28,370 or 100%*White: 23,405 *African American: 628 *Asian: 2,824 *American Indian and Alaska Native: 36 *Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 4...
. Diorio has said that if elected he would "vote independently, beholden to no political party and no special interest," while Pio Costa promised to stand up for the interests of suburbs by fighting for municipal aid reform. Schaer and Scalera have supported Governor Corzine's budget, which the GOP opposes, as well as the EnCap program which nearly lost them the election in 2007. PolitickerNJ.com ranked this pair of seats the second-most-vulnerable for Democrats.
Winners: Scalera & Schaer Nevertheless, Schaer and Scalera were re-elected.
- 39th Legislative District: Republican Assemblyman John E. RooneyJohn E. RooneyJohn E. Rooney is an American Republican Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represented the 39th Legislative District. He served in the Assembly from 1983 to 2010, which made him the longest-serving representative in the General Assembly...
announced that he will retire after fourteen terms in office. Rooney and the party establishment both endorsed Bob Schroeder, longtime Washington Township councilman and two-time council president, for the seat. Schroeder ran on a ticket with veteran assemblywoman Charlotte VandervalkCharlotte VandervalkCharlotte Vandervalk is an American Republican Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1991, where she represents the 39th legislative district...
; they defeated John Shahdanian, a labor attorney and the municipal chairman in Old TappanOld Tappan, New JerseyAs of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,750 people. The population density was 1,725.7 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 74.8% Caucasian, 22.2% Asian, 0.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanics...
, and Michael McCarthy, the political director of a stage hands' union, were running on the Democratic ticket. No Democrat has been elected by this district since 1977; PolitickerNJ.com forecast these seats as "Safe Republican."
Winners: Vandervalk & Schroeder
Incumbents defeated in primary election
- Sen. Marcia A. KarrowMarcia A. KarrowMarcia A. Karrow is an American Republican Party politician who served in the New Jersey State Senate where she represented the 23rd legislative district, having taken office on February 9, 2009. She had won a January 24, 2009 special election convention, defeating Assemblyman Michael J...
, defeated in Republican primary in 23rd Legislative District.
Incumbents defeated in general election
- Governor Jon S. CorzineJon CorzineJon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
.
- No incumbents were defeated in the legislative races.
Open seat gains
- Unofficial results have the Republicans gaining one open seat in the Assembly (Republican Domenick DiCicco of Franklinville replacing Democratic Assemblywoman Sandra LoveSandra LoveSandra Love is an American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008 to January 12, 2010, where she represented the 4th Legislative District....
- who did not seek re-election - in the 4th Legislative District).
External links
- Primary results, via NJ.com
- Voter Registration Forms - Deadline to register is Tuesday, October 13.
- Polling Place Search
- Imagine Election - Find out about the people on your ballot, based on your zip code
- PolitickerNJ.com's Battleground 2009 - Analysis of likely winners in each race