There were few surprises in an election that returned most incumbents to the ballot ahead of the fall midterm vote.
By Matt Skoufalos | June 5, 2018
In Tuesday’s primaries, New Jersey voters returned incumbents to the ballots to defend their seats in what should be a fierce U.S. Congressional midterm race.
At the national level, New Jersey will elect 12 U.S. Representatives and one U.S. Senator this fall; locally, voters will elect three Camden County freeholders and a sheriff.
Of the municipal elections coming this fall, only those in Audubon Park, Haddon Heights, and Pennsauken will be contested on the ballot.
According to unofficial totals, 22 percent of the county’s 160,503 registered Democratic voters (35,891) turned up at the polls Tuesday versus 18 percent (9,126) of its 51,176 registered Republicans.
U.S. Senate Race
Embattled incumbent Democrat Bob Menendez fended off a challenge from media publisher Lisa A. McCormick, and will appear on his party’s ticket in the November general election.
In a videotaped message, Menendez thanked supporters, and spoke about “standing up to the Trump war on New Jersey,” his support for the Gateway infrastructure project, healthcare access, and the rights of Dreamers.
Thank you for once again putting your faith in me to be your Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate. It is an honor to be representing New Jersey and to be running for re-election. #NJSenhttps://t.co/QvMTnBeOhX
— Menendez for NJ (@BobMenendezNJ) June 6, 2018
There, he will face former pharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin, who trounced construction executive Brian D. Goldberg of the Camden County MAGA Republicans.
“This is just the beginning,” Hugin said in a statement. “Our goal is victory in November and once again giving New Jersey a senator it can be proud of.”
Thank you New Jersey!! Overwhelmed and grateful to receive the nomination for US Senate. Thank you for the phone calls, the door knocks, the Facebook posts, the re-tweets and – most of all – your vote! -BH #NJSen
— Bob Hugin (@BobHugin) June 6, 2018
U.S. Congressional Race
File photo: incumbent U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D, NJ-01) celebrates his victory in the 2016 primaries. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
Incumbent Democrat Donald Norcross came away with nearly 90 percent of his party’s votes, knocking off challengers Robert Carlson of Collingswood and Scot John Tomaszewski of Cherry Hill.
In a statement, Norcross promised “to grow South Jersey’s economy by fighting for good jobs and higher wages, affordable educational opportunities, health care and retirement security, a strong nation, and safe neighborhoods.”
In the fall, he’ll face Republican Paul E. Dilks of Washington Township, who ran unopposed in the primaries.
Camden County Freeholder Race
From left: Camden County Freeholder candidates Jeff Nash, Susan Shin Angulo, Bill Moen, Claire Gustafson, Keith Cybulski, and Vincent Squire. Credit: NJPEN.
Camden County Freeholder incumbents Jeff Nash, Susan Shin Angulo, and Bill Moen prevailed on the Democratic ticket over a slate of 11 challengers.
These included Martha L. Canas and Mary Ann Dunn, Kathleen A. Kunyczka and Robert J. Strong, Alexis De Luca and Patricia Griffis, James Coyle and Jo Anne Rossell, Chris Kehner and Ralph T. Gorgo, Jr., and Michael Leonetti.
Republicans Keith Cybulski, Vincent Squire, and Claire Gustafson ran unopposed for their party’s nominations, and will face Nash, Angulo, and Moen in the fall general election.
Camden County Sheriff Race
Incumbent Democrat Whip Wilson will face Republican challenger Joseph Adolf in the November general election; both men ran unopposed in their respective primaries.
Local Races
In the only contested local primary election, Merchantville Democrat Maria Nina Scarpa led all vote-getters, including incumbent Council President Daniel Sperrazza.
The odd man out was incumbent Democratic councilman John Grasso. With no Republicans on the primary ballot, Scarpa and Sperrazza will run unopposed in the fall.
Municipal elections in Audubon Park, Haddon Heights, and Pennsauken will be contested in the general election, but weren’t at the primaries.
- In Audubon Park, incumbent Republican Mayor Larry Pennock will face Democratic challenger Lisa Capilli this fall.
- Haddon Heights Republicans Jennifer Moore and David Mosko will face Democrats Asiyah Kurtz and Christopher Morgan for two open seats on the local council.
- In Pennsauken, Democrats Jessica Rafeh and Marco Di Battista will face Republicans Sabrina Winkler and Lisa Eckel for two open seats on the township committee.
Absent challengers on the Republican ticket, Merchantville’s incumbent Mayor Ted Brennan likely will retain his office in November, as will Oaklyn council members Greg Brandley and Chris Walters.
Below are live streaming election results for all the contested statewide races in the 2018 New Jersey primary elections, thanks to our partners at the Center for Cooperative Media and NJ Spotlight.
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