OCEAN COUNTY – Political leaders celebrated their primary election wins last night, although in most cases they are facing foregone conclusions in the fall.
The primary election is when political party members vote for who should be their candidate in the general election in November.
However, there’s an even deeper level of candidates. The Ocean County election results are 908 pages long, listing every candidate for something called “county committee.” There are two committee member seats from every voting district. These people represent their party, support candidates, and have similar responsibilities.
The Ocean County Republican Organization posted that 608 of the 618 candidates they endorsed won.
“Ocean County showed up for our people up and down the ballot,” they said.
“This is what the strongest Republican county in New Jersey looks like,” the county GOP stated on social media. “This is what organization, dedication, and a community that believes in Republican values looks like. Last night was not an accident, it was the result of months of hard work by hundreds of volunteers, candidates, and supporters across every corner of this county.”
The county Republicans endorsed Richard Tabor for Senate, and he led voters here, but he lost the primary to attorney Justin Michael Murphy. He’ll face Senator Cory Booker, who is predicted to win.
It’s not surprising that Ocean County’s two congressmen, Chris Smith (R-4th) and Jefferson Van Drew (R-2nd) won their primaries. They are predicted to beat their challengers, Democrats Rachel Peace (4th), a small business owner, and Zack Mullock (2nd), mayor of Cape May.
“The Ocean County Democrats would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Peace 4 Shore – Rachel Peace for Congress and Mullock for Congress on their primary victories yesterday,” the organization posted. “We are looking forward to supporting you through the general election as we work as one to defeat the Republican incumbents.”
Also, Commissioner Director Frank Sadeghi, a Republican, and Kia Phua, a Democrat, were unchallenged in their primaries and will face off in November.
Meanwhile, on the blue side of the state, progressive leaders celebrated wins by candidates that are against establishment Democrats.
One of the more popular stories in this vein is Analilia Mejia in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, continuing a campaign centered on “working-class organizing, economic justice, and challenging corporate influence,” according to Our Revolution, a group inspired by Senator Bernie Sanders.
Another is Dr. Adam Hamawy, who won his primary in the 12th Congressional District “focused on dignity, ending unconditional military aid to countries that violate human rights and championing Medicare for All.”
“Across the country, voters continue to show they are hungry for candidates who are willing to challenge the status quo and fight for working people,” said Joseph Geevarghese, Executive Director of Our Revolution. “Whether it’s healthcare, affordability, housing costs, corporate consolidation, or political corruption, voters are looking for leaders who understand that the current economic and political system is not working for too many people. What we saw Tuesday night was further evidence that economic populism and grassroots organizing remain powerful forces in American politics.”
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