Insider NJ’s 2019 Primary Election Day War Room
10:01AM: In Princeton’s council primary, incumbent Councilman Quinn was defeated, while newcomers Mia Sack and Michele Lambros prevailed, according to Planet Princeton.
8:52AM: In Little Silver’s GOP mayoral primary, Tom Neff won, according to the Asbury Park Press.
8:49AM: According to the Burlington County Times, newcomers swept in the Willingboro Democratic primary.
1:00AM: In LD17, Assemblymen Egan and Danielsen defeated progressive challenger Ron Rivers, who wrote on Facebook: ‘I want to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to all of you for your support over the past 2.5 months. Unfortunately we lost, but not for lack of effort on our part.’
1:00AM: In Parsippany, dePierro, Garagnani, and Paul Carifi won the GOP council primary, according to TAPinto.
1:00AM: In Rockaway, Mayor Puzio beat Councilman Kelley in the GOP primary, according to the Daily Record.
1:00AM: Fanwood Mayor Mahr released a statement on Column B’s victory.
11:14PM: Assemblymembers Greenwald and Lampitt won their primary in LD6.
11:13PM: The Camden County Democrats released a statement touting their victories tonight.
11:11PM: In Westampton, incumbent Mayor Wisniewski fended off a primary challenge, while Chesterfield Mayor Romeu lost, according to Burlington County Times.
11:07PM: Heather Darling has won the GOP nomination for the Morris County surrogate’s race.
11:05PM: In Toms River, Mo Hill won the GOP nomination for mayor.
10:49PM: Key municipal results in Bergen County.
10:45PM: In Hawthorne’s Ward 2, Thomas Bushnauskas won off-the-line for the Democratic nomination for council.
10:34PM: Michael Mangan lost tonight in his bid for the Dem nomination for Mayor.
10:31PM: All eyes are on Clark in Union Democratic committee war.
10:31PM: In Phillipsburg, Mayor Stephen Ellis won the Democratic nomination.
10:30PM: Storch falls in Plainfield.
10:29PM: Brian Bergen won the second nomination for GOP Assembly in LD25.
10:29PM: Lisa Mandelblatt and Stacey Gunderman won the Democratic primary for Assembly in LD21.
9:53PM: In Somerset County’s GOP sheriff’s primary, organization-backed Bill Parenti defeated Tim Pino.
9:52PM: In East Newark, challenger Dina Grilo defeated incumbent Mayor Smith.
9:51PM: Sussex County GOP Sheriff Strada defeated challenger Andy Boden.
9:37PM: The Morris County GOP freeholder incumbents appear well on their way to victory tonight.
9:36PM: In Collingswood, the challengers upset the establishment in the county committee fight.
9:28PM: With 47 of 63 precincts reporting, Councilman Mo Hill is in the lead in the Toms River GOP primary:
Joseph D. CORONATO 2,003; 33.98%
REP REP Dan RODRICK 1,362; 23.10%
REP REP Maurice ‘Mo’ HILL 2,525; 42.83%
WRITE-IN 5; 0.08%
9:26PM: In Atlantic City, Ward 3 Councilman Shabazz holds a strong lead so far, according to the Press of AC.
9:15PM: Assemblyman Bucco won tonight in LD25, as his running mate is yet to be determined…
9:14PM: Incumbent Mayor Christine Dansereau won tonight in Roselle’s Democratic primary.
9:05PM: In Piscataway, Senator Smith’s county committee retained 45 of 47 seats against an insurgent slate.
9:04PM: In Old Bridge, Councilman Dave Merwin is leading challenger Mark Razzoli 644-441 in the Democratic primary for mayor.
8:57PM: In LD8’s GOP primary, incumbent Ryan Peters and running mate Jean Stanfield won, defeating incumbent Assemblyman Howarth.
8:55PM: In Sussex’s GOP sheriff’s primary, incumbent Strada is leading 2-1 over challenger Boden, 4184 (67%) to 2024 (33%) with 71% reporting.
8:54PM: In Hamilton, incumbent Mayor Yaede defeated challenger Henderson.
8:50PM: All four organization-backed council candidates won tonight in Edison.
8:46PM: In Point Pleasant Beach, Paul Kanitra defeated Mayor Stephen Reid.
8:42PM: In Corbin City, a primary surprise – write-in candidate Kris Surran defeated two other candidates in the GOP primary, according to the Press of AC.
8:34PM: Robert Colletti prevailed in the GOP primary in Elmwood Park for mayor.
8:31PM: Democrat Jeff Martin patiently waits to find out who he’ll face in November in Hamilton.
8:29PM: Challenger Matt Moench defeated Bridgewater Mayor Dan Hayes in the GOP primary.
8:24PM: Hillside Mayor Vertreese lost her county committee seat tonight to Marjorie Hargrove, who was backed by Hillside Dem Chair Salters.
8:00PM: The polls have officially closed.
7:57PM: It’s zero hour in Bridgewater, with minutes to go before the polls close statewide.
7:40PM: In tiny East Newark, primary day was unusually energetic due to the mayoral fight between incumbent Mayor Smith and challenger Dina Grilo, according to NJ.com.
6:20PM: 60 MIB ballots are being challenged in Atlantic City’s 4th Ward, according to the Press of AC.
5:25PM: Former Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Barella has submitted petitions to run as an independent for Assembly in LD10.
4:43PM: Speaker Coughlin’s caucus members dodge drama this primary day (mostly).
4:18PM: In Sussex County, NJ Herald reports that voter turnout has been slow, but mail-in-ballots have surged, at nearly a five times increase from last year.
4:16PM: In Totowa, a polling worker drove a car through a polling site, according to the Bergen Record.
4:14PM: Voter turnout appears sluggish just about everywhere – including battleground Burlington County.
3:58PM: The Morris County GOP and the incumbent freeholder slate have two different election watch results parties.
1:25PM: In Morris County, retiring Surrogate John Pecoraro reflects on the three-way primary to succeed him; LD25 GOP Assembly candidate Aura Dunn’s primary day began at 5am.
1:23PM: Flying under the radar, the Rockaway Township GOP primary features Mayor Puzio and Councilman Kelley vying for the mayoral nomination to replace the late Mayor Dachisen.
1:12PM: While most political observers predict low voter turnout today with only a few county-wide or state-wide primary battles, a Stockton University poll finds that NJ residents are more civically and politically engaged since the 2016 election, while an Eagleton CYPP report finds that youth voter turnout tripled in last year’s midterm election compared to 2014.
9:57AM: In Hamilton, the council contenders sounded off on their platforms ahead of the primary, as Mayor Yaede and Dave Henderson’s battle culminates in today’s ‘historic’ election, according to the Trentonian. Meanwhile, Robbinsville GOP Mayor Fried was spied at a fundraiser last night for Democrat Council President Jeff Martin, who’s running for the Democratic nomination in Hamilton.
9:17AM: In Somerset’s contentious sheriff’s primary, retiring Sheriff Provenzano slapped away at Tim Pino, doubling down on his support for organization-backed Parenti. Pino countered that the sheriff ‘promoted me four times’.
8:58AM: In LD21, Martin Marks and Harris Pappas filed petitions to run as independents in the general election.
8:53AM: In Dover’s contest Democratic mayoral race, political operative Pablo Fonseca is in the field for incumbent Mayor Dodd.
Welcome to Insider NJ’s Primary Day War Room. Stay tuned throughout the day for real-time updates from the campaign trail and of course the results later on tonight.
In the meantime, get up to speed and read Insider NJ’s primary day guide to the elections – and they’re relevance to the current Statehouse imbroglios: the upcoming budget battle and the Murphy v. Norcross dynamic.
And take a look at a few Election Even Nuggets.
Here are some key races to watch:
LD8: A casualty of the Addiego defection earlier this year, incumbent GOP Assemblyman Joe Howarth was tossed off the line by BurlCo GOP Chairman Earlen and supplanted with ex-Sheriff Jean Stanfield to run with incumbent Assemblyman Ryan Peters. Howarth’s strategy has been to the target the GOP base and touting his Trump bona fides, as he did in this recent mail piece.
LD17: Progressive candidate Ron Rivers is looking to knock off either incumbent Democrats Assemblyman Egan or Danielsen; both incumbents were the beneficiaries of a robocall by Governor Murphy.
LD21: Organization-backed Democratic candidates Lisa Mandelblatt and Stacey Gunderman are vying for the Democratic nomination for Assembly against from Jill Lazare, who ran in the district against Senator Kean in 2017; the primary winners will face GOP incumbents Bramnick and Munoz in November.
LD22: Incumbent Assemblymembers Kennedy and Carter face a primary challenge from Rivas and Lighten.
LD25: With the departure of Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll from the re-election ticket (see surrogate’s race below), there’s an open seat alongside Assemblyman Tony Bucco; vying for the spot are Aura Dunn, John Barbarula, and Brian Bergen.
LD32: Incumbent Assemblymembers Jimenez and Mejia face a challenge from progressive candidates Quesada and Mahmoud.
Somerset County GOP Sheriff: Organization-backed North Plainfield police chief Bill Parenti faces a challenge from Tim Pino. Despite taking heat from Pino, who’s run an aggressive campaign, Parenti is on the line with Freeholder Pat Walsh, an old-school and effective campaigner.
Sussex County GOP Sheriff: As NBC reported here and here, the sheriff’s race has gotten personal and contentious, as incumbent Sheriff Strada looks to defend his post from challenger Andy Boden.
Morris County GOP Freeholder Race: Incumbent Freeholders Mastrangelo, Cabana, and DeFillippo are looking to stare down a challenge from Donald Dinsmore, Cathy Winterfield, and William Felegi. There’s been a lot going on in this race – take a look here, here, here, here, here, here, and…here.
Morris County GOP Surrogate Race: Surrogate races are normally sedate affairs, but the Morris County race has heated up, as Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, Freeholder Heather Darling, Isabella Alfano clash in a race that has gotten personal.
Middlesex County Democratic Freeholder Race: The Column A Democrats have a three-way primary with the Column B and Column C Democratic candidates.
Camden County Democratic Clerk: Incumbent Joe Ripa faces a challenge from Renee Margulis and Mohammed Kabir; Margulis called for the state AG to investigate the disqualification of county progressive challengers.
Camden County Democratic Freeholders: The organization-backed slate faces a challenge from two opposing slates.
Bridgewater GOP Mayor’s Race: In a contentious race, Council President Matt Moench has the backing of the local GOP and is looking to take out incumbent Mayor Dan Hayes, who has the support of Somerset GOP Chairman Gaburo, as the race narrowed in the final days.
Roselle Democrat Mayor’s Race: Denied the local organization’s backing for another term, incumbent Mayor Dansereau prevailed in a court battle to remain on the ballot after initially being denied by the clerk; she faces a two-way challenge from the Roselle Democratic Organization-backed Recreation Director Donald Shaw and former BOE member Archange Antoine.
Toms River GOP Mayor’s Race: There’s a three-way primary here, with former prosecutor Joseph Coronado heading the organization-backed ticket and vying against Councilmen Hill and Rodrick. Mayor Kelaher opted against re-election.
Hamilton GOP Mayor’s Race: In another contentious race, incumbent Mayor Kelly Yaede lost the support of the Mercer County GOP, as she faces a strong challenge from David Henderson.
Elmwood Park GOP Mayor’s Race: While Democratic ex-Mayor Caramagna resigned after a voter
fraud arrest, the GOP has a primary race to get through, as the organization-backed slate led by Councilman Coletti vies against Magdalena Giandomenico and her council running mates. The race has gotten personal.
Rockaway Township GOP Mayor’s Race: Mayor Mike Puzio faces off against Councilman Tucker Kelley.
Old Bridge Democratic Mayor and Council Race: 4th Ward Councilman Mark Razzoli leads a slate challenging the organization-backed slate.
Manasquan Democratic Mayor’s Race: Incumbent Mayor Donovan is being challenged by Councilman Mangan.
Phillipsburg Democratic Mayor’s Race: In a contentious political environment, incumbent Mayor Ellis is facing a challenge from Councilman Lutz.
West Milford GOP Mayor’s Race: Incumbent Mayor Michele Dale faces a challenge from Council President Lou Signorino.
Rutherford Mayor’s Race: There’s contested primaries in each party.
Little Silver GOP Mayor’s Race: There’s a contested primary for mayor.
Dover Democratic Mayor’s Race: Incumbent Mayor Dodd faces a challenge from Alderman Blackman, who has the line.
Point Pleasant Beach GOP Mayor’s Race: Incumbent Mayor Reid is is being challenged by Councilman Kanitra; a judge threw out the PPB GOP’s endorsement of Reid, leading to an open primary.
Atlantic City Council: There are 22 candidates vying for six ward seats in the primary today, which has generated over 11k VBMs, according to the Press of AC.
Camden City Council: Against the backdrop of the NJEDA tax incentive investigation, challengers are hoping to snag a few council seats from the Democratic organization.
Parsippany GOP Council Race: Brothers James and Paul Carifi are both running, on opposite sides.
Willingboro Democratic Township Committee Race: There’s a race for township committee pitting the incumbents against three challengers.
Princeton Democratic Council Race: There are three candidates running for two seats.
Point Pleasant Council Race: Two candidates are running in contested GOP and Democratic primaries.
Hawthorne Democratic Council Race: In Ward 2, former council candidate and millennial Tom Bushnauskas is vying for the Democratic nomination against the organization’s candidate.
Harrison Democratic Council Race: In Ward 1, Elks Club Secretary Marilyn Perfeito is looking to take the council seat against the HCDO-backed candidate.
Linden Democratic Council Races: There are contested council seats on the Democratic side.
Wayne GOP Council Race: Incumbent Ward 2 Councilman Al Sadowski is facing a challenge from Louis Aviolo.
Edison County Committee: There are contested county committee seats.
Fanwood County Committee: Amid the Scutari-Watson Coleman war of words, Mayor Colleen Mahr’s Column B Democrats are looking to capture the county committee as they square off against the UCDC Column A slate and Freeholder Al Mirabella; Mahr lost in last year’s county party chair battle to Scutari.
Union Township County Committee (and Council): LD20 Senator Cryan’s slate of county committee and council candidates is being challenged by an opposing slate.
Piscataway County Committee: The Central Jersey Progressive Democrats are locked in a battle for 5o county committee seats with the establishment and Senator Bob Smith.
Collingswood County Committee: In the Camden County town, there’s a fight for county committee.
Leave a Reply