NJ Watchdog: GOP loses four Assembly seats as Christie watches

Four GOP incumbents lose NJ Assembly seats as Christie watches

Four incumbent Republicans lost their seats Tuesday as the Democrats gained their biggest majority in the New Jersey Assembly since 1979.

With almost all ballots counted, unofficial election results give Democrats a commanding 52 to 28 advantage in the Assembly – but still two short of the supermajority needed to override Gov. Chris Christie’s vetoes.

Christie's political coattails were virtually non-existent. The governor, busy running for president, did not make any public campaign appearances on behalf of GOP Assembly candidates.

Republicans lost both of their seats in the 11th District that covers northern Monmouth County. In a tight race, incumbents Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande were edged out by Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey. Angelini lost by 165 votes, less than one-third of one percent of the votes cast.

The margin of victory was even narrower in Central Jersey’s 16th District, where Democratic challenger Andrew Zwicker squeaked by Assemb. Donna Simon with only 29 votes to spare. The result could be altered by uncounted absentee votes or a recount.

In South Jersey’s 1st District, Assemb. Sam Fiocchi lost to challenger Bruce Land by three percentage points.

All of the incumbent Democrats running for re-election won their contests.

The story is online at http://watchdog.org/245625/gop-incumbents-lose-christie/.