NJO EXCLUSIVE: Republican Majority Within Reach
Recent poll shows Republicans have a legit chance of taking back state legislature in November
A recent Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) poll shows there are nine competitive races for state legislature in New Jersey.
Out of all the districts shown in the poll, Republicans currently control the 2nd, 3rd, 8th, and 11th (Assembly only) legislative districts. At the same time, the other mentioned districts, the 4th, 14th, 16th, 36th, and 38th, are all controlled by the Democrats. However, Republicans have an opportunity to flip all five of these districts; awarding them a majority in the state legislature for the first time since 2001. The two that are the most flippable, according to the poll, are the 16th and 38th.
The 16th district has been a Republican stronghold for many years up until the mid-2010s when the district started trending blue. The district was also the same one Jack Ciattrelli, former Republican nominee for Governor, represented in the Assembly from 2011-2018. However, redistricting affected this district mightly and now favors Republicans. The GOP slate in this district is led by former GOP Congressman Mike Pappas, who served from 1997-1999.
On the other hand, the 38th district has historically been a battleground in Bergen County for decades. The 2021 GOP nominees came within striking distance of ousting the Democrat incumbents but fell a few points short. Now, the GOP slate led by Micheline Attieh has a certain chance of flipping the 38th once and for all. If the district flips, it would mark the first time since 2001 that Republicans have complete control.
There are only two districts where the Democrats have a slight advantage, the 4th and the 36th. The 4th district went from being a Democratic stronghold to one of the most competitive races in the state due to redistricting. Earlier this year, LD4 Senator Fred Madden announced he would not seek another term after spending nearly 20 years in the Senate. LD4 Assemblyman Paul Moriarty is now running for the Senate seat. In 2021, Republicans received the most votes ever in fifty-two years in the district’s electoral history. Now, the Republicans are looking to take the full district back for the first time since 1999. The GOP slate is led by former Washington Township (Gloucester County, NJ) Councilman Chris Del Borrello.
The 36th district has been a sleeper district for the entire year. However, that does not discourage the Republican slate, led by Chris Auriemma, from knocking on doors. The GOP has been knocking on doors in the Bergen-Passaic-based district since January!! When candidates are knocking on doors that EARLY, you know they want it bad. This race is 100% flippable. It would be considered a big upset if the GOP slate wins.
The only district that is considered “even” is the 14th. LD14 has been controlled by the Democrats since 2010. Incumbent Assemblyman Daniel Benson announced earlier this year that he will not seek reelection to the State Assembly and instead run for Mercer County Executive. The GOP slate is led by Patricia Johnson, who was the Republican nominee in LD15 last year but then got redistricted into 14. This race should have all eyes peeled as this is likely the most competitive race in NJ to date.
The Democrats have had control of New Jersey for way too long. This November, Republicans have a chance to end it. It is beyond time to give tax relief to New Jerseyans, investigate the nursing home deaths, and bring back good government in Trenton.