SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey Democrats expanded their already strong majority in the General Assembly, winning at least four additional seats and potentially holding as many as 57 of the 80 seats, their largest majority in decades, as every county in the state leaned more Democratic than in the 2020 presidential election.
In legislative districts three and four, considered among the most competitive in the state, Democrats came out 4-for-4. Assemblyman Cody Miller said their message of affordability hit home with voters. He and running mate Dan Hutchinson are ready to deliver on the promises to move away from Governor Murphy’s energy master plan that focused on offshore wind and shift to nuclear energy.
“We understand right now that we can’t continue to see a 20% increase year after year after year. And that’s going to require us to get really creative about energy production in the State of New Jersey, and nothing should be left off the table right now,” Miller said.
Dave Bailey and Heather Simmons squeezed out a victory in a tight race to represent legislative district three. Bailey said they are hyper-focused on government efficiency, affordability, and increasing energy supply.
“The people of New Jersey wanted us to hit the cost of living head-on. And I think we focused on that,” Bailey said.
“We told them that we are going to address it, and I think that was the main focus, affordability.”
It wasn’t quite as close in legislative district four. Cody Miller said he and running mate Dan Hutchinson will be working hard to represent those who didn’t vote for them as well as those who did.
“We are New Jerseyans first and foremost. And we’re going to have some big challenges to face over the next few years, and it’s going to require us all to work together collaboratively,” Miller said.
In Atlantic County’s legislative district two, Republicans appear to have retained a seat as Claire Swift looks like she won over Democrat Maureen Rowan. The race remains too close to call and is likely headed for a recount, with a potential split of one Republican and one Democrat winning the race.