Insider NJ’s General Election Day War Room (Updated 07:45AM)

By Insider NJ | November 7, 2018, 7:45 am | in News

7:45AM: Take a look at Insider NJ’s Who’s Up Who’s Down to see where the players stand after last night’s elections.

12:03AM: Sherrill supporters celebrate in Parsippany.

11:40PM: Democrat Jaclyn Veasey was elected mayor of Evesham.

11:33PM: Democrats are projected to retake control of the House of Representatives; the GOP will retain control of the Senate.

11:27PM: Incumbent GOP Rep. Lance conceded to Democratic challenger Tom Malinowski.

11:18PM: In Salem County, the GOP regained control of the freeholder board according to unofficial tallies, as per a report by NJ.com. GOP Sheriff Miller was also re-elected.

11:14PM: In Bergen County, with 80% of the vote reported, incumbent Democrat County Executive Tedesco looks likely to cruise to victory, as will sheriff candidate Anthony Cureton.

11:11PM: In Atlantic County, incumbent GOP Freeholder Frank Formica appears to have a sizeable lead in his bid for reelection, according a elections roundup by the Press of Atlantic City.

11:01PM: The Mahwah mayor was recalled.

10:55PM: In CD3’s match-up between incumbent GOP Rep. Tom MacArthur and Democratic challenger Andy Kim, a source says its ‘way too close to call‘ with T-Mac up by only 500 votes.

10:53PM: GOP candidate Rich Pezzullo conceded to Democratic incumbent Rep. Pallone.

10:49PM: In Carteret, Democratic incumbent Mayor Reiman has defeated GOP challenger Fred Gattuso 4256-978, according to unofficial results without VBMs.

10:44PM: Passaic County Dem Clerk candidate Danielle Ireland-Imhof has defeated GOP candidate Ron Fava.

10:31PM: In Roseland, Democrats Spango, Fishman, and Freda were elected for mayor and council.

10:28PM: Bob Hugin concedes the Senate race to victor Bob Menendez.

10:23PM: Democrat Tom Malinowski is the projected winner over incumbent GOP Rep. Lance in CD7. There are still thousands of VBMs to be counted, but GOP sources doubt they will turn the election in their favor.

10:18PM: Somerset County Democrats won two freeholder board seats by 10,00 votes.

10:13PM: Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer has defeated GOP challenger John McCann in CD5.

10:06PM: CD2 Democratic candidate Senator Jeff Van Drew declared victory over GOP candidate Seth Grossman.

9:57PM: In Mount Laurel, Steglik and Pritchett won two council seats – making history in the process.

9:56PM: In Hoboken, the run-off election ballot question passed.

9:54PM: CD1 Rep. Norcross won re-election with over 63% of the vote.

9:50PM: Democrat Mikie Sherrill has defeated Republican Jay Webber for the CD11 seat.

9:49PM: Rep. Sires’s BOE slate in West New York swept to victory tonight.

9:42PM: Millburn Demcrats take control of the Township Committee.

9:40PM: Flemington goes blue: Democrat Councilwoman Betsy Driver appears to have defeated GOP incumbent Phil Greiner for mayor.

9:35PM: In Dover, Alderman Carlos Valencia has won a fourth term.

9:27PM: GOP Rep. Chris Smith has defeated Democratic challenger Josh Welle.

9:25PM: According to Paterson Times’ live update of the BOE elections, the incumbent commissioners are in the lead.

9:21PM: In Prospect Park, incumbent Mayor Khairullah appears to have easily won re-election tonight over GOP challenger Emma Anderson, 993-350 according to unofficial results (without VBM or provisional).

9:13PM: Senator and Union County Democratic Chairman Scutari broadened his power base tonight, with sweeps in Cranford, Scotch Plains, and other towns.

9:11PM: Mayor Diaz’s council ticket lost in Perth Amboy.

9:10PM: Julia Fahl sprinted to victory tonight to become mayor-elect of Lambertville.

9:07PM: In North Arlington, Council VP Pronti appears to have won the mayoral contest, according to unofficial results; Pronti was chosen to run after incumbent Mayor Bianchi passed away.

9:05PM: GOP challenger Bob Hugin isn’t ready to concede yet.

8:52PM: Paterson 6th Ward Councilman Al Abdelaziz romped to victory in the special election, winning 4-1.

8:44PM: Incumbent Democratic Senator Menendez has won his bid for re-election against GOP challenger Bob Hugin.

8:35PM: Meanwhile, at Hugin’s party, the GOP candidate predicted he’ll win, saying ‘the turnout is huge’.

8:31PM: There’s a party-like atmosphere in Hoboken tonight at Senator Menendez’s party – with Governor Murphy and the First Lady already there – as the vote totals begin to pour in.

8:24PM: The Somerset Board of Elections sought a court order to halt the counting of VBM ballots, due to the overwhelming number received. A judge halted the counting, which will resume at 9am tomorrow.

8:06PM: Ocean County VBMs –

Hugin: 15,469
Menendez: 8,826
MacArthur: 9,681
Kim: 7,143

8:04PM: In Passaic City, BOE member Salim Patel has won the city council seat previously held by the late Councilwoman Zaida Polanco.

8PM: The polls are now officially closed…stay tuned for updates and results!

7:54PM: Bergen County is showing overwhelming turnout.

7:35PM: Millburn VBM totals in CD7 – Malinowski: 1,162; Lance: 349

7:19PM: Hudson preliminary VBMs – Menendez: 3,238; Hugin: 947 and Essex preliminary VBMs – Menendez: 9,334; Hugin: 3,648

6:49PM: Swamping past mid-term precedent, Bayonne hit over 13,500 votes as of 6pm.

6:35PM: Watch Governor Murphy and Senator Sacco reflect on the Senate race in this Hudson County View video:

6:32PM: According to a source, in Paterson’s 6th Ward, over 4,200 voters have turned out as of 6pm – without VBMs – with a surge in the Lakeview and South Paterson sections.

6:15PM: In CD3, MacArthur COS Frank Luna says Ocean County turnout is ‘exceeding our expectations‘ while noting lower turnout in areas in Burlington.

6:13PM: Hoboken is on pace to attain record turnout in a midterm election, having hit the 11.5k mark by 2pm. A source says that South Bergen is on pace to hit 60% turnout tonight, and the Bayonne voter turnout has already exceeded that of last year’s gubernatorial election.

5:40PM: NJ Herald reports that Sussex County is on track to outpace previous voter turnout records.

5:21PM: Paterson Mayor Sayegh says voter turnout is robust in the Silk City, anticipating as many as 24k votes. Turnout is strong in the 6th Ward, where his successor Al Abdelaziz is vying for a full term.

5:18PM: The Bergen Record’s Herb Jackson reports that $127 million was spent combined on the state’s midterm congressional elections – a new record, besting the former record of $93 million in 2000, when Jon Corzine spent more than $60 million of his own money on his Senate campaign. Hugin outspent Menendez, $27.7M to $11.2M – and Hugin loaned his campaign an addition $8.5M after October 17th, bringing Hugin’s total to $36M. Outside groups spent $19M; $13.2M of that went to either support Menendez or attack Hugin.

5:01PM: In Essex, turnout is significantly exceeding 2014’s turnout in Newark, confirmed Clerk Durkin, and suburban turnout is also high.

4:51PM: Burlington County Times reports strong early turnout across the county.

4:49PM: Take a look at Rowan University’s Professor Ben Dworkin’s election day commentary.

4:45PM: A few scenes from the candidates’ and supporters’ social media accounts throughout the day, heading into the final stretch:

Don’t forget to vote today! https://t.co/JT8m0FH0WY #GoVote #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/31EMysQQRE

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 6, 2018

We’re seeing tremendous turnout in communities across the state like Englewood, where outstanding local leaders like Mayor Huttle, @valerie_huttle and next Mayor @Michael_Wildes are leading the charge for @BobMenendezNJ and @BergenDems pic.twitter.com/2a2ydfTWRj

— Phil Murphy (@PhilMurphyNJ) November 6, 2018

What a great New Jersey team, for a great America! #MAGA @realDonaldTrump @BobHugin @realJohnMcCann https://t.co/BpQ7UphsNR

— John McCann (@realJohnMcCann) November 6, 2018

It is a great day to be an American. You get out there. You vote. And we move forward together as a nation. More from my interview with @BillSpadea on @NJ1015. #GOTV #NJ11 #WebberForCongress pic.twitter.com/NwelP04zGU

— Jay Webber (@JayWebberNJ) November 6, 2018

Bittersweet to not see my name on the ballot – first time in 35 years. Honored to have represented my hometown & region. Proud of my record of service & accomplishments. Time to pass the baton. Tina & I just voted. Now it’s your turn #SouthJersey. #ElectionDay2018 #GoVote

— Frank LoBiondo (@RepLoBiondo) November 6, 2018

Amazing #GOTV turnout in Marlton! pic.twitter.com/grUijUW64m

— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) November 6, 2018

Always a great time when I get to stop by Paramus’ Suburban Diner. Paramus voters are fired up and ready to go! pic.twitter.com/dnFsL7wdjf

— Josh Gottheimer (@JoshGottheimer) November 6, 2018

Paterson is fired up to get out the vote! pic.twitter.com/8IRI1R8ZVb

— Michael Soliman (@MikeDSoliman) November 6, 2018

Bob Hugin, successful all of his life, would be a Great Senator from New Jersey. He has my complete and total Endorsement! Get out and Vote for Bob.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2018

4:25PM: The Morris County GOP sent out a panicky Election Day email this morning, citing high Democratic turnout and urging Republicans to get out to vote.

2:48pm: Despite the weather, Hudson and Essex turnout looks to be strong heading into the final stretch – in addition to other key areas. Cautiously optimistic, DeGise COS Craig Guy said ‘I don’t want to get ahead of myself”, adding that turnout is ‘better than brisk’. Meanwhile, President Trump tweeted his support for Bob Hugin, saying the GOP candidate would be a ‘great Senator from New Jersey’.

2:15PM: If you have a chance this afternoon (before the final GOTV push), take a listen to the Jersey XYZ podcast episode ‘Century of the Woman’, with host Stathis Theodoropolous and guests Julia Fahl (on the ballot today for Lambertville mayor), Anne Scaiaino, and Rebecca Symes.

1:58PM: NJ.com details some of the issues voters are facing at the polls today, including confusion over VBMs.

1:45PM: Paterson 6th Ward Councilman Al Abdelaziz campaigns in the rain in the lead-up to tonight’s results; he’s running in a special election for a full-term.

12:31PM: A poll book SNAFU in Passaic County sparked a court challenge; a judge ruled that 7k voters who weren’t allowed to vote due to the error be allowed to vote on voting machines if they have gov’t-issued IDs.

12:03PM: Millburn – the lone Essex town in CD7 – reported heavy turnout at 10:30am, with 3k votes plus 1,700 VBMs.

11:42AM: In the marquee race of the season, CD11’s Sherrill and Webber voted at their polling locations, with their families by their side and media following them; Webber says he feels good today, while Sherrill says ‘we’ve done our work’. Sherrill will encourage canvassers one last time, and Webber has several diner stops throughout the day.

11:25AM: Middlesex County latest VBM count: 43,237

11:20AM: Governor Murphy splashes down on Newark, campaining with Mayor Baraka.

10:37AM: CD11 Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill cast her vote in Montclair.

10:28AM: A Newark source describes better than average turnout in the South Ward, despite the rain; Essex Clerk Durking says Newark’s vote is ‘surging’.

10:24AM: The Press of AC reports on brisk turnout at South Jersey polling precincts, including a steady stream in Galloway, greatest turnout in Mays Landing, and a line of voters in Northfield at 6am.

10:16AM: CD5 Democratic Rep. Gottheimer cast his vote in Wyckoff.

9:50AM: Ocean County Clerk Colabella says VBMs are at a record high in the county, having issued 40.9k as of yesterday. Colabella also reports high voter turnout in Lacey and Forked River.

9:42AM: Monmouth Clerk Hanlon reports that out of 42k VBMs issued, 25k have been received back.

9:41AM: Take a look at NJ Spotlight’s article by Colleen O’Dea on recent VBM law changes and how it could potentially delay returns in close races.

9:31AM: Eyewitness News reports on the scene in Union City as Senator Menendez and challenger Bob Hugin cast their votes this morning.

9:27AM: CD11 GOP candidate Assemblyman Jay Webber casts his vote.

9:07AM: Senator Singleton says brisk turnout in his portion of CD3.

8:25AM: The scene in Middlesex, the county with highest VBMs, as the counting gets underway.

8:24AM: Voter turnout is strong in Mount Holly, Montclair, and Jersey City.

7:50AM: Jordan Albiez of Union City is ready for the next election day challenge…

7:47: AM: A big line to vote in Montclair this morning.

7:20AM: In battleground Somerset County, the Clerk said 18,100 VBMS have been received out of 25,800 sent out: 7,400 Dem, 5,400 GOP, and 5,400 UA. As of last night, in Essex County, over 21k VBMs have been received, out of the 31k sent out. In Hudson County, nearly 10k have been received.

7AM: Welcome to Insider NJ’s Election Day War Room, where we’ll bring you a real-time synthesis of our coverage – and news and nuggets from around the state during the day. And of course, we’ll be bringing you results after the polls close at 8pm.

To even the most grizzled of political veterans and insiders, this past election season has proven to be one of the – if not the most – interesting and consequential cycles, both nationally and in New Jersey.

One ferocious Senate battle, and twelve congressional races with ten incumbents defending their seats, and two open seats due to the retirements of two GOP Reps., CD11’s Frelinghuysen and CD2’s LoBiondo. And plenty of municipal, board of education, and county races to watch – plus a few special legislative elections.

But first, to get you started, a little background (and today’s statewide weather forecast).

Take a look at Insider NJ’s original and on-the-ground coverage of the battleground congressional races (and all the others), take a look through the archives of tagged articles focusing on the campaigns and the candidates (click on the blue hyper-linked text), as well as the key points and events over the last two weeks:

The Senate Race: Democratic Senator Bob Menendez vs. GOP candidate Bob Hugin (and several independent candidates, including Libertarian Murray Sabrin and Green Party candidate Madelyn Hoffman)

Quinnipiac poll released yesterday shows Menendez with a 15-point lead over Hugin, with independents swinging back towards the incumbent. On Friday, Stockton released a poll showing Menendez with a double-digit lead, 51-39%. Among the earlier polls in October, Emerson gave Menendez a 5-point lead, 47-42%; a Rutgers poll gave him a 5-point lead, 51-46% among likely voters; the lone Monmouth poll showed him leading Hugin by 9 points, 49-40%.
Hugin blasted the Quinnipiac poll as ‘not credible‘
Obama jumped into the elections yesterday with a GOTV robocall with Governor Murphy – but made no mention of incumbent Senator Menendez
McCormick says she’ll be voting for the incumbent Senator
Stack is ready for his all-out GOTV effort today, predicting to have 800 workers on the streets today, for Menendez
In Newark, Senator Rice expressed caution concerning over-optimism on urban turnout
Murphy campaigned in Elizabeth yesterday with Mayor Bollwage and local officials, saying he’s confident Senator Menendez emerge victorious tonight

As agitation and worry increased over Menendez’s standing over the last few weeks, Hugin touted internal poll numbers over the weekend showing him up two points
GOTV weekend: Menendez rallied with the Passaic County Democrats, headed to the Essex County Democrats’ breakfast rally, rallied in Hoboken, hit the Middlesex County GOTV rally, and the Union County Democrats’ rally
Hugin’s GOTV weekend: Hugin hit the Morris County GOTV event on Friday, headed to Warren County, headed to the Somerset County GOP GOTV rally, and hit the Hunterdon County GOP rally
The Jersey Journal endorsed and the Bergen Record endorsed Menendez
Hugin’s campaign claimed victory in the Middlesex County VBM case
Menendez rallied with Stack and Murphy; Stack praised Murphy
Menendez railed against Trump’s Bracamontes tweet, calling it a ‘direct attack‘ on the Latino community
Patients For Affordable Drugs Action spent $3.5M against Hugin
Menendez campaign says Hugin’s campaign has ‘Chris Christie’s fingerprints all over it’
Latino Action Network sends open letter urging support for Menendez
ELEC says Hugin the biggest benefactor for GOP, giving $788k to county party organizations
Hugin released his GOTV campaign schedule
Menendez received the backing of the ATU
Menendez released a new ad hammering Hugin on Trump, while Hugin launched an ad stressing his independence
Menendez blasted Trump as the ‘divider-in-chief’, Hugin distanced himself from Trump’s birthright citizenship intentions
Sabrin released a Facebook sketch mocking Hugin
Menendez, Booker, and Pallone held a rally, striking an anti-Trump tone (John Dean was present, on campus for another event)
The NJLGBT Democratic caucus endorsed Menendez
Hugin endorsed by Alianza Civica Ministerial; last week, he was endorsed by the Latino Leadership Alliance
Menendez endorsed of the Hispanic Chamber President Medina
The Cook Political Report moved the race to toss-up
At a press conference with Senator Booker and Gov. Murphy in Union Beach on Monday, Menendez touted his record on Sandy recovery
The two faced off in the NJTV debate
Hudson Young GOP released a statement calling for Menendez apology over racist support taunts (video)
The Burlington County Times endorsed Hugin over Menendez, calling the incumbent an ’embarrassment’
Calling it the ‘most depressing choice for New Jersey voters in generations’, the Star-Ledger endorsed Menendez
Menendez touted the endorsement of former Bergen GOP Chairman Bob Yudin, who wrote an op-ed in the Bergen Record
Doubling-down on the Trump attack line, Menendez released a new ad tying Hugin to the President
The Senate Majority PAC launched an ad buy slamming Hugin as Trump’s ‘deciding vote’ (Hugin blasted it as a ‘desperate, last-minute attempt’)
Hugin endorsed by former Essex Freeholder Bobadilla; DiVincenzo lashes out, Jones says Bobadilla and Hugin will ‘whither away‘
Integrity NJ announced a $2M ad buy
Hugin doubled down on his line of attack against Menendez, having released an ad alleging Menendez patronized Dominican prostitutes (read more here)

Bob Hugin, left, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate race in New Jersey, looks on as New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, right, the Democrat candidate, answers a question during a debate, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, Pool)

CD1: Democratic Rep. Donald Norcross vs. GOP candidate Paul Dilks

CD2: Democratic candidate Senator Jeff Van Drew vs. GOP candidate Seth Grossman

NJSPBA President Pat Colligan penned a letter of support for Democratic candidate Senator Van Drew.

Grossman says Trump’s 14th Amendment question is forcing Congress to open the door to comprehensive immigration reform
Grossman urged American Jews to ‘stop blindly believing and reciting‘ Democratic propaganda
Grossman suggested recent bomb threats could be the handiwork of Democrats attempting to influence midterms
Turkavage says he’ll be campaigning for a ‘GOP moderate’ – for Leonard Lance in CD7
Former primary rival Turkavage endorsed Van Drew, calling Grossman an ’embarrassment’
Atlantic GOP Chair Davis blasted Turkavage, saying he’s ‘nominally a Republican’ and reasserted support for Grossman
Atlantic Dem Chair Suleiman swooped in, saying Davis ‘is a good man but he’s doubling down on stupid’
The latest Stockton poll shows Van Drew with a 17-point lead
Philadelphia Inquirer endorsed Van Drew
The candidates squared off in a debate

CD3: GOP Rep. Tom MacArthur vs. Democratic candidate Andy Kim

MacArthur and Kim went head-to-head in the NJTV debate
MacArthur released a statement accusing Kim of exaggerating his resume in his latest ad
Asbury Park Press endorsed Democratic candidate Andy Kim, and has endorsement of the Star-Ledger and endorsement of the Philadelphia Inquirer
MacArthur was endorsed by the Burlington County Times
The DCCC landed with a new ad targeting MacArthur on healthcare
First Lady Tammy Murphy campaigned for Kim
The latest Monmouth poll has the race too close to call, with Kim having a slight edge 48-46%
MacArthur released a new ad touting BurlCo Times endorsement

CD4: GOP Rep. Chris Smith vs. Democratic candidate Josh Welle

Governor Murphy headlined a rally for Democratic candidate Josh Welle
GOP Rep. Smith endorsed by the Asbury Park Press
Welle pounces on a 1972 Smith letter detailing views on homosexuality

CD5: Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer vs. GOP candidate John McCann

McCann blasted Gottheimer over an email solicitation to fundraiser in the aftermath of anti-Semitic vandalism
Gottheimer visited congregations to reaffirm his commitment to combating anti-Semitism
Star-Ledger endorsed Gottheimer, as did NJ Herald; the Bergen Record endorsed him last week

CD6: Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone vs. GOP candidate Rich Pezzullo

CD7: GOP Rep. Leonard Lance vs. Democratic candidate Tom Malinowski (and Green Party candidate Diane Moxley)

LD16 Senator Bateman recorded a robocall for Lance.
The Somerset Dems held an overflow GOTV rally, and an earlier canvassing event in Summit caused a stir on Hugin’s home block
At the Somerset GOP event, Lance chopped away at Malinowski, saying that he ‘parachuted into the district a year ago’
former Gov. Kean hit the phones for Lance
Latest Monmouth poll shows Lance and Malinowski in a dead heat, 47-44%.
Bedminster Mayor Parker objected to Ledger’s endorsement of Malinowski, calling him a ‘beltway operative’
The Sierra Club’s Tittel slammed the Green Party, saying ‘the stakes in this election are too high to vote for a third party’, Green Senate candidate Hoffman fired back
Lance received the endorsement of LIUNA
Malinowski scored the support of the Transport Workers of America
Malinowski endorsed by MyCentralJersey’s editorial board
Green Party candidate Moxley relies on grassroots power
DNC Vice Chair Rep. Grace Meng visited Malinowski’s Somerville HQ
Insiders say Malinowski is running a highly disciplined GOTV effort
Malinowski attended the Union County Dems’ breakfast
Rep. Lance went door-to-door in Mountainside, assailing Malinowski as a ‘carpetbagger’, while admitting that ‘this has been the most challenging race‘ since 2008; Lance said he would favor Rep. Walden for Speaker; among those in the running, he favors McCarthy

CD8: Democratic Rep. Albio Sires vs. GOP candidate John Muniz

CD9: Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell vs. GOP candidate Eric Fisher

CD10: Democratic Rep. Donald Payne vs. GOP candidate Agha Khan

CD11: Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill vs. GOP candidate Assemblyman Jay Webber

Sherrill made a final campaign stop in Morristown yesterday, upbeat but not over-confident.
Webber held a campaign rally last night in Hanover, punctuating a sunny optimism.
Former GOP Senator Martin threw his support to Sherrill
Booker joined Sherrill for a GOTV rally on Saturday in Harding
Webber made the rounds Sunday at a VFW breakfast
Sherrill headlined an event with Montclair Democrats
Volunteers fan out at train station platforms to campaign for Sherrill
Former Morris Undersheriff William Schievella endorsed Sherrill.
Webber visited a kosher pizzeria
Webber came face-to-face with a diner patron who challenged him to disavow Trump
Sherrill scored the support of two female GOP officials
Sherrill held a jam-packed GOTV event on Friday in Morristown
AFT President Weingarten campaigned for Sherrill on Saturday
Webber blistered Sherrill, accusing her of politicizing the bomb threats
Webber target of a threat, and sent out a fundraising appeal
Webber increasingly reliant on Team Trump buzz points
Senator Bucco decried the theft of Webber lawn signs
Morris County says Webber has momentum, Sherrill says ‘we’re in a really tight race

CD12: Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman vs. GOP candidate Daryl Kipnis

Late-game convergences: driven by anti-Trump outrage, and their own organizational interests, Democratic county parties showed increasing enthusiasm and a more robust presence than their GOP counterparts over the GOTV weekend. A source posits that over the past month, President Trump provoked an organizational sea change that has moved the Senate and congressional races in the Democrats’ favor.

Take a look at a few recent columns from Insider NJ on the election: