11 Key New Jersey Races to Watch in 2017

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Click through to see which races will be worth keeping an eye on this year.
(Photo: Mr. Matté on Wikipedia)
Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno.
Alyana Alfaro for Observer
Phil Murphy, candidate for governor in N.J.
Alyana Alfaro for Observer
3. Legislative district 2. State Senator Jim Whelan (pictured) announced earlier this week that he would not be pursuing re-election to the senate seat he has held since 2008. That opening sets the stage for an expensive primary battle between the two assemblymen in the district: Republican Chris Brown and Democrat Vince Mazzeo. Mazzeo officially announced his state senate candidacy on Thursday.
New Jersey Legislature.
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Vin Gopal.
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State Senator Joe Kyrillos (pictured left) announced earlier this year that he would be retiring from the state senate. Because the district is a Republican stronghold, the primary will be one to watch in June. Both of the district’s assemblypeople, Declan O’Scanlon (pictured right) and Amy Handlin, have expressed intentions to run to fill Kyrillos’ spot.
(Photo: Alyana Alfaro for Observer)
State Senator Ray Lesniak.
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N.J. Assemblyman Tim Eustace.
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Kevin Rooney (left).
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Steve Fulop.
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10. The Atlantic City mayor’s race. Republican Mayor Don Guardian (pictured) will likely face a real challenge this year. In 2016, Atlantic City was taken over by the state due to massive budget shortfalls. Guardian will likely go up against either City Council President Marty Small or city Councilman Frank Gilliam in November.
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11. The Hoboken mayor’s race. The imminent question in this booming Hudson County town is whether or not Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer (pictured) will pursue re-election in 2017. Regardless, there is certainty that others will be jockeying up to replace her. Freeholder Anthony Romano has long been considered a contender for the spot.
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This year in New Jersey politics, a few races are emerging as the ones to watch during the lead-up to November’s election. With the governor’s seat up for grabs and every legislative seat in both the state senate and general assembly up for election in 2017, competitive races will be plentiful in New Jersey.

Click through to see which races will be worth keeping an eye on this year.

Filed Under: Politics, New Jersey Politics, slideshow, Phil Murphy, state senate, general assembly

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