Late Wednesday evening, Governor Murphy delivered an acceptance speech in Asbury Park following the gubernatorial race being called by the Associated Press. Phil Murphy will remain in office for a second four-year term as Governor.
There are several legislative races that remain too close to call this morning, with about 95% of expected votes having been counted. Among them include the 8th district, in which the incumbent Senator Dawn Addiego is trailing about 1,800 votes behind Jean Stanfield. The 8th district's Assembly seats also remain uncalled at this time, with the Republican candidates each leading by about a 3,000 vote margin. In the 11th district, Senator Gopal leads by a slim margin of 2,000 votes against contender Lori Annetta. The district's two Assembly seats also remain in contention, with incumbent Assembly members Eric Houghtaling and Joanne Downey down by a little over 1,000 votes each to their Republican opponents. In District 16, a Republican stronghold, current Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker has won his bid for the Senatorial seat vacated by Senator Kip Bateman.
The Democrats will retain their majority in both houses, but lost seats to Republican opponents in some districts. Two Senate seat races have yet to be called in legislative districts eight and eleven; nine seats are still in contention in the Assembly in districts three, eight, eleven, sixteen and thirty-eight.
In the District Three Senate race, although some precincts are still counting votes, Senate President Sweeney has lost his seat to Edward Durr, Senate President Sweeney has served in his leadership role since 2010. This has instigated a reorganization of leadership in the Senate. It is being reported that Senator Nick Scutari, who serves the twenty-second district in Union, Middlesex and Somerset counties, and the current chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee has gained significant support to assume the role in the new session. Senator Scutari is reported to have close to the amount of democratic members' support necessary to win the leadership role.
Despite broad reporting, there are also said to be other members in contention for the position; among them are incoming Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz and Budget and Appropriations Chair Paul Sarlo and Senator Joseph Lagana.
Senator Oroho was selected to be the next Leader of the Senate Republicans, replacing outgoing Senator Tom Kean. The remainder of leadership team includes Senator Robert Singer as Deputy Leader and Ranking Member of Health Committee; Senator Joe Pennacchio as Deputy Leader; Senator Kristin Corrado as Conference Leader; Senator Holly Schepisi as Deputy Conference Leader; Senator Anthony M. Bucco as Whip; Senator Declan O'Scanlon as Budget Officer; Senator Michael Doherty as Ranking Member of Judiciary Committee.
In the General Assembly, leadership votes occurred yesterday among caucuses. Assemblyman Coughlin won support from his caucus for another term as Speaker of the Assembly. Sixth District Assemblyman Louis Greenwald was again selected as Majority Leader. Annette Quijano will return for a second term as Majority Conference Leader. The Assembly will have a new Speaker Pro-Tempore in Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly to replace Senator-elect Gordon Johnson.
Assemblyman DiMaio will assume the leadership role of Assembly Republican Leader, a position vacated by Senator-elect Jon Bramnick. Assemblyman Ned Thomson will be the Republican Conference Leader and Assemblyman Antwan McClellan was selected for minority whip.
AMG will continue to provide more information as it becomes available.
