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What New Jersey’s congressional races look like after Election Night

What New Jersey’s congressional races look like after Election Night


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In addition to presidential races and US Senate electionsNew Jersey voters saw the entire House delegation on the ballot this year.

The last one the Associated Press called was the 9th Congressional District, where state Sen. Nellie Pou declared the winner Wednesday at 1:47 p.m. She will fill the seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr.

Pou claimed victory at approximately 9:30 pm on Tuesday. The victory will make her the first Latina in New Jersey to win a seat in Congress.

“I never imagined that a young Puerto Rican who walked down Grand Street would now be walking the halls of Congress,” Pou said. “Now I’m going to roll up my sleeves, get to work and go to Washington.”

Before Pow’s speech, Passaic County Democratic Party Chairman John Curry asked the crowd of more than 200 people in Union Hall to observe a moment of silence for Bill Pascrell Jr., the 27-year-old congressman who died in office in August.

“He was a longtime fighter, not only in Paterson, not only in Passaic County, but internationally,” Curry said.

Tom Kean Jr. wins

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. fended off Democratic challenger Sue Altman and was declared the winner by the Associated Press shortly after midnight. Keane is no stranger to intense racing. He was also in a tight spot in 2022, which was not announced until after midnight. In that race, he was trying to upset incumbent Democrat Tom Malinowski.

Keane took the stage around 11 p.m. At the time, his lead was 6%, as reported by 87% of the district.

“Tonight we celebrate not just a victory, but our commitment to the hard work ahead,” Keane told supporters at the event in Basking Ridge. “I would like to thank my rival Sue Altman for a spirited race.”

Keene told reporters after the speech — and a lengthy meeting with supporters throughout the room — that he had not yet contacted Altman but planned to do so at some point that night.

Altman also spoke Tuesday night, saying she is “extremely humbled and grateful” for all the support she has received and is “proud of this movement.”

Rookie Wins in South Jersey

Among the latter, a fresh-faced race was called in District 3, where Democratic Assemblyman Herb Conaway was vying for the seat held by Rep. Andy Kim, who opted instead for a promotion to the U.S. Senate.

Conaway led most of the night, but the Associated Press did not officially call the race until 2:30 a.m.

The decision to wait may have been due to the extension of polling hours (as stated by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin) in Burlington County after technological problems earlier in the day led to long lines as polls were scheduled to close at 8 pm.

Gottheimer, Sherrill victory

Meanwhile, North Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer of the 5th District, widely seen as a potential candidate in next year’s gubernatorial election, was declared the winner of that race just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Earlier in the evening, Bergen County Democratic Party Chairman Paul Giuliano said while introducing Gottheimer for the speech that it was his “honest guess that he won’t stop at this re-election” but that he “doesn’t have a crystal ball, so I can’t tell you. what it is, but I can tell you for sure, when he takes this step, as the leader of the county Democratic Party, I will support him and ask everyone to support him.”

Gottheimer said he didn’t know what Giuliano was talking about, but he appreciated it.

Rep. Miki Sherrill, at 11th The district, which is also expected to join the gubernatorial race, was declared the winner of the reelection race around 11 p.m. In a statement after the election was called, she said that from the moment she took her “first oath to defend our Constitution.” when she entered the United States Naval Academy, she “always took pride in serving this country.”

“It is an oath that I will continue to uphold against those who sow doubt about our elections and the institutions on which this democracy was built,” she said. “I believe it is my responsibility to protect the nation we all hold dear, and I believe our best days are ahead.”

Other incumbents also claim victory

Democratic Representatives Donald Norcross in the 1st Congressional District, Frank Pallone in the 6th Congressional District, Rob Menendez Jr. in the 8th Congressional District.thLamonica McIver in the top tenth and Bonnie Watson Coleman in “12”th kept their places.

Two Republican incumbents, Rep. Jeff Van Drew of the 2nd Congressional District and Rep. Chris Smith of the 4th Congressional District, also won re-election.

Staff writers Daniel Muñoz, Nicholas Katzban, Christy Cattafi and Charles Style contributed to this story.

Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. E-mail: [email protected]