Election Day: An Insider NJ Examination of the June 7th Congressional Primary Races Special Edition
The combination of 2020 redistricting reconceived mostly to protect Democratic Party incumbents gives a big advantage to the majority party in New Jersey. Even in these volatile times as Democrats struggle to find a message, their congressional delegation advantage looks mostly intact by way of the map, with only CD-7 a likely victory for the Republican challenger. That would render New Jersey 9-3 D-R by the end of the year. But we won’t consider those general election contests here, at least not in the main. For the moment, we concern ourselves with the June 7th Primary Calendar.
We take a look at the dynamics in each of New Jersey’s 12 Congressional Districts.
Certainly, Republicans have devoured much of the season’s energy, as challengers face one another for the right to go up against Democratic Party incumbents in battleground or quasi-battleground districts. In particular, the CD-5 GOP Primary looks like a significant conflict, with the Bergen County Republican Organization (BCRO)-backed candidate in a dogfight with a strong challenger off the line. CD-3 has also commanded a lot of attention, in a true establishment versus anti-establishment Republican Primary contest.
In many contests, the influence of former President Donald J. Trump remains strong, visible in a unique way in CD-4, where two challengers oppose U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4) – one of just two incumbent Republican congressmen in New Jersey – because he favored the creation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6th, 2021 desecration of the United States Capitol.
Keep an eye, too, on CD-10, where a progressive challenger looks to test the strength of the party organization line in her financially well-connected challenge of a veteran Democratic Party incumbent. U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (D-10) is highly favored to win, but how much will his opponent, Imani Oakley, cut into the perception of an unbeatable Essex County Democratic Party Machine?
For analysis on those races, insider X’s and O’s, and much more, please read on, and don’t forget to vote on June 7th.
Download Insider NJ’s June Primary Election Special Edition or view it below:
June Primary Elections
I wouldn’t be conceding CD7 to the Cult of Trump just yet. Voters are going to see what a POS Tommy Boy is and vote for Malinowski.
Tom Kean Jr. served this state in both chambers of the legislature and as Senate Minority Leader for 10 years. His service to this country and state far exceeds anything little Rob has done. If the two were even remotely similar, Tom Jr. would’ve been ‘given’ the seat when he ran in 2000 as Menendez has been given the seat in CD8 today. The Kean and Menendez families could not be further apart ethically either.
Kean will run with it tomorrow. And then again come November. Malinowski is in lockstep with Biden. High gas prices, high inflation ( with a likely recession on the way), chaos on our southern border, crime out of control. News today of possible food shortages coming our way. They couldn’t even handle baby formula.
All I hear is lobbyist talking points. Try being free thinkers. As for CD7, the Republican party needs to come to the conclusion it is not defined by one person. Nor should it ever be.
I am disappointed that we are forced to choose our candidates under a two-party system. Not only do we have a two-party system, but we have a two-party monopoly!!
In my opinion, this structure does nothing but promote political corruption.
Could we consider a “no party” system where political campaigns are publicly financed and there are absolute term limits? In addition, what if it were to become law that if you enter political office with a net worth of $500,000, you leave political office with a net worth of $500,000?
Suppose, as citizens, we were to apply the intellectual property laws to the various books, articles, and speeches and presentations given by anyone who at one point in time occupied a position of public trust. That way, the publisher advances often in the vicinity of multiple millions of dollars would redound to the citizens and taxpayers instead of lining the pockets of politicians? In this manner, the voters would be assured that people are entering public service for all the right reasons.