By: Richard L. Smith
Good Tuesday morning, Jersey!
With Election Day just two weeks away, New Jersey voters are preparing to head to the polls for the November 3 midterm elections, and while the Garden State has traditionally leaned Democratic, several congressional contests are worth watching.
New Jersey has supported Democratic presidential candidates for decades, including Kamala Harris in 2024. However, Harris carried the state by approximately six percentage points, a noticeably smaller margin than Democrats enjoyed in previous presidential elections.
So, while New Jersey has a reputation as a blue state, that doesn’t necessarily mean every race is predictable.
In Essex County, Democratic Congresswoman LaMonica McIver is seeking reelection in the 10th Congressional District against Republican Carmen Bucco.
The district includes portions of Newark, East Orange, Irvington, West Orange, and several Union County communities. It remains one of New Jersey’s strongest Democratic districts.
Across Hudson County, Democratic Congressman Rob Menendez is running for another term in the 8th District, which includes much of Hudson County, Newark, and Elizabeth. The district has historically provided strong support for Democratic candidates.
Meanwhile, Bergen County offers several races worth following.
Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer faces Republican Sean Kirrane in the 5th District, while Democratic Congresswoman Nellie Pou faces Republican Rosemary Pino in the 9th District, which includes portions of Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties.
The 9th District could be particularly interesting because it has a narrower Democratic advantage than some neighboring congressional districts.
In Union County, one of the region’s most closely watched contests involves Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. and Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett in the 7th Congressional District.
The district includes several Union County municipalities and has attracted national attention because of its competitive political makeup.
Beyond individual races, the larger question is whether New Jersey’s Democratic voting history will continue to hold or whether Republicans can make gains in competitive districts.
For North Jersey voters, the election will also offer an opportunity to weigh issues such as affordability, property taxes, public safety, and the direction of the federal government.
New Jersey may not be considered a traditional presidential battleground state, but its congressional elections can still have significant implications for which party controls Washington.
And with November 3 approaching, every vote will help determine who represents Garden State communities in Congress.
Early voting begins Saturday, October 24, and continues through Sunday, November 1. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.