SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — While much of the attention for this year’s election was focused on battleground state Pennsylvania, it was an eventful night in New Jersey as well, where Donald Trump outperformed his numbers from 2020 and some voters experienced long lines.
The state saw a record voter turnout, with more than 70% of registered voters casting a ballot in some counties.
Andy Kim won the U.S. Senate race, but Republican Curtis Bashaw kept it closer than recent polls had predicted, coming away with 44.6% of the vote. In his victory speech, Kim said it’s time to come together and focus on a brighter future, away from divisive politics.
“I hope to represent everyone in this state. Whether you voted for me or not, I served you,” he told supporters. “Let us change the trajectory that we find ourselves on.”
There were some voting machine issues in Burlington County on Election Day. County officials said they were quickly addressed, but combined with unusually high turnout, some voters waited for hours to cast a ballot.
Attorney General Matt Platkin successfully sued to keep polls open until 9 p.m. in Burlington County. However, the judge’s ruling on the matter didn’t come until after 8:30, 30 minutes after polls were supposed to close. Those who waited in line were allowed to vote. Kamala Harris earned 57% of the vote in Burlington County.
It was a good night for Republicans in Gloucester County. Trump carried the county by three points on his way to a presidential victory, and helped pull Republican County Commissioners Chris Konawel and Nick DeSilvio along for a win. Meanwhile, Republican Anthony Dellapia defeated incumbent Laurie Burns for mayor of Washington Township.
There were surprises in Camden County as Commissioners Al Dyer, Melinda Kane and Jeff Nash easily held on to their seats.