Today is Election Day in New Jersey.
Gov. Chris Christie is running for re-election and expects to conquer Cape May attorney Seth Grossman to officially become the Republican general election standard bearer. For her part, state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-18) looks to easily outpace Democratic gubernatorial candidate Troy Webster of East Orange, an ally of Mayor Bob Bowser’s.
There are several key contests around the state today, including two much watched Democratic Primaries in LD 20 and LD 34, and a GOP Primary in LD 13.
Below is a guide to some of these contests and our projections.
Legislative District One
A Republcan Primary features Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt against Robert Campbell. Backed by the GOP establishment, Adelizzi-Schmidt defeated Campbell at the party conventions and now hopes to follow-through. The winner of the contest will go up against incumbent state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1).
Winner: Adelizzi-Schmidt
Legislative District Eight
The Burlington County GOP backs incumbent Assemblyman Chris Brown and his running mate newcomer Maria Rodriguez-Gregg (pictured) over Tea Party-backed candidates Scott Fay of Medford and Gary Jacques of Rancocas Village.
Winners: Brown and Rodriguez-Gregg
Legislative District 13
Longtime Republican state Sen. Joe Kyrillos is challenged in this primary by Tea Party favorite Leigh-Ann Bellew. Bellew has tried to paint Kyrillos as too liberal for the 13th, while Kyrillos has all but ignored the challenger. Bellew has faced questions about her personal life – a bankruptcy and implications by her and others that she is an attorney when she’s not, while Kyrillos continues to be a favorite of the ever-popular Gov. Chris Christie.
Winner: Kyrillos
Legislative District 20
Veteran State Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-20) seeks re-election against challenger Donna Obe, who has the organizational and political support of the Elizabeth Board of Education. Lesniak is running with the strong tactical support of Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage.
Winner: Lesniak
Legislative District 34
State Sen. Nia Gill (D-34) hopes to retain her seat in the face of a strong challenge by Seton Hall University Professor Mark Alexander. Alexander has run an energized race against the incumbent, but the Essex County Democratic line is still the line.
Winner: Gill
East Orange Mayor’s Race
Veteran Mayor Bob Bowser is facing a field of challengers including attorney Lester Taylor, who has the backing of the East Orange Democratic Party. Taylor is giving Bowser everything he can handle in the toughest election of the mayor’s career.
Edge: Bowser
Plainfield Mayor’s Race
Councilman Adrian Mapp lost in his bid four years ago when he ran a renegade campaign against Sharon Robinson-Briggs. This time, Mapp has the backing of the Union County Democratic Committee in addtion to support by the local New Democrats in his bid to unseat Robinson-Briggs.
Winner: Mapp
