Primary 2023: These are the races to watch in Central Jersey
This is an off-year election when there are no federal races on the November ballot, a relatively quiet time before the 2024 storm of presidential and Congressional elections.
Tuesday's primary is expected to be relatively quiet in New Jersey with only a handful of contested races to see who will appear on the November ballot.
Overall, primary turnout is expected to be between 10% and 20% with higher turnout expected in municipalities dominated by one party which have primary contests. In those towns, whoever wins on Tuesday becomes the odds-on favorite to win in November.
Polls will open at 6 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m.
Legislature
In New Jersey this year's election will determine the composition of the state Legislature with all 40 seats in the Senate and 80 seats in the Assembly to be decided.
In the first election since redistricting after the 2020 Census, Republicans are looking to make a dent in the Democratic control of both houses. Democrats hold a 25-15 edge in the Senate and 46-34 margin in the Assembly.
Few incumbents are facing opposition on Tuesday.
Senate
In District 18 (East Brunswick, Edison, Helmetta, Highland Park, Metuchen, South Plainfield, South River), Democratic Sen. Patrick Diegnan is being challenged by Christopher Binetti in the strongly Democratic district. The winner will face Republican Neal Shah in November.
In District 19 (Carteret, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, South Amboy, Woodbridge), another strongly Democratic district, Sen. Joseph Vitale is opposed by Michelle Burwell. The Republican candidate is Maria Garcia.
Diegnan and Vitale are expected to be easy winners.
In District 23 (Alexandria, Bedminster, Bethlehem, Bloomsbury, Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Califon, Clinton, Clinton Township, Franklin (Hunterdon), Frenchtown, Glen Gardner, Hackettstown, Hampton (Hunterdon), High Bridge, Holland, Kingwood, Lebanon Borough, Lebanon Township, Milford, Peapack-Gladstone, Phillipsburg, Pohatcong, Raritan Borough, South Bound Brook, Tewksbury, Union (Hunterdon), Democrats Denise Kings and Roger Bacon are running to see who will oppose Republican incumbent Doug Steinhardt in a strongly Republican district.
Assembly
In District 12 (Old Bridge), there is a three-way race for the Republican nomination for two seats. Running for reelection are Robert Clifton and Alex Sauickie. The third candidate is Old Bridge Board of Education President Salvatore Giordano. The winners will face Democrats Paul Sarti and Raya Arbiol in a reliably Republican district.
In District 14 (Cranbury, Jamesburg, Monroe, Plainsboro, Spotswood), three Republicans – Adam Elias, Skye Gilmartin and Birna Shah – are vying for two spots on the November ballot to face Democrats Wayne DeAngelo, an incumbent, and Tennille McCoy in the strongly Democratic district. The other incumbent, Daniel Benson, is running for Mercer County executive.
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County commission
In Middlesex County, Democratic incumbents Charles Tomaro and Leslie Koppel are being challenged by Lawrence Liu and Frances Bustos-Santiago. In a county where Democrats hold a sizable advantage over Republicans, the primary winners are overwhelming favorites to win in November over Republicans Peter Pisar and Gary Hagopian.
In Union County, another county where Democrats enjoy a strong advantage, Democratic incumbents Joseph Bodek and Lourdes Leon and their running mate Michele Delisfort are opposed by Travis Amaker, Latysa Gaines and Janet Vera Reynolds. They will face Republicans Carlos Santos, Brian Johdos and Cathy Jakositz.
Middlesex County
The local primary contests in Middlesex County feature two incumbent mayors being challenged.
In Highland Park, Democrat Elsie Foster, selected to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Gayle Brill Mittler, will face off against Monique Coleman. No Republican has filed for election.
In South River, Republican Mayor John Krenzel is running against Councilman Peter Guindi for another term. The Democratic candidate is former Councilman Shawn Haussermann.
Also in South River is a three-way race for the Republican nomination for two Borough Council seats. Incumbent James Gurchenskey, Henry Dziemian and Lisa Byrne are running for the opportunity to oppose Democrats Julie Meira, an incumbent, and Joseph Donato.
In Edison, a traditionally Democratic town, there are six candidates running for four Democratic slots for Township Council. In the race are three incumbents – Joseph Coyle, Ajay Patil and Richard Breschler – and Asaf Shmuel, Robert Kentos and Lav Patel. In November, the winners will face Republicans Russell Azzarello, Paul Bravo, Meredith Mathews and Gerald ShineIn Monroe, three Republicans – Adam Durando, Douglas Siravo and Joellen Arrabito – are running for two at-large Council seat nominations. The winners will face Democratic incumbents Miriam Cohen and Terence Van Dzura.
Somerset County
The hottest local primary contest in Somerset County is in the Republican stronghold of Warren. Incumbent Republicans George Lazo and Daniel Croson are being challenged by Shaun Fine and Vanessa Kian. The unopposed Democratic candidates are Patricia O'Byrne and Christina Caracappa.
There is a primary race in Far Hills, another Republican bastion. GOP incumbents Sheila Tweedle and Joseph Carty and Charles Schwester are running for the nomination for two seats on the Borough Council. No Democrats have filed for those seats.
In Branchburg, a town where no Democrat has been elected to the Township Committee for more than three decades, incumbent James Schworn is facing Steve Price. No Democrat has filed for election.
Hunterdon County
In Readington, another town where Republicans enjoy a sizable edge over Democrats and spirited GOP primary contests are not rare, GOP incumbents John Albanese and Jonathan Heller are opposed by Antoinette Riordan and Andrew Saad for two Township Committee seats. The winners will square off in November against Democrats Kristina Garcia and Marvin Fields.
In Franklin. Republican incumbent Philip Koury is being challenged by Alexa Tarby for Township Committee. No Democrat has filed for election.
In Lebanon Borough, three Republicans – incumbent Mary Logan, Christopher Foley and Lisa Porcello – are running for two Borough Council seats. Marlene Baldinger is the only Democrat to file for election.
In Union, three Republicans – incumbent Frank Mazza, Kara Cherney and Matthew Wunder – are running for two Township Committee seats. Nicholas LaBelle is the only Democrat to file for election.
In West Amwell, three Republicans – incumbent John Dale, Diane Yoder and Robert Balaam Jr. – are running for one seat on the Township Committee. No Democrats have filed for election.
Union County
In Plainfield, two candidates – Julienne Cherry and Cindelle Harris Blackmon – are running for the Democratic nomination for 1st and 4th Wards council-member-at-large. No Republicans have filed for the election. Incumbent Barry Goode is not running for reelection.
In Plainfield's 2nd Ward, incumbent Sean McKenna is being challenged by Darcella Sessomes for the Democratic nomination. No Republican has filed for election.
In Linden's 8th Ward, incumbent Democrat Garnett Blaine is being challenged by Mark Armstead, the brother of Mayor Derek Armstead. No Republican has filed for election.
In Berkeley Heights, Republicans James Skidmore, Steve Mondragon and Edmund Tim Maciewski are running for two seats on the Township Council. Democrats Margaret Illis and Bill Machado are unopposed.
In New Providence, Democrats John Keane, Kathleen Dolan and Allen Swanson are running for two seats on the Township Council. Republicans Nadine Geoffrey and Lisa McKnight are unopposed.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ primary elections 2023: Races to watch in Middlesex, Somerset
