The results of the 2026 midterm elections reveal a major political shift toward the Democratic Party at both the national and state levels. Democrats secured control of both the US Senate and House of Representatives, and that momentum was reflected in New Jersey, where key congressional flips in NJ-2 and NJ-7 expanded the Democratic congressional delegation to 11 of the state’s 12 seats.
Congressional Results
- US Senate: Democratic incumbent Cory Booker won reelection to a third full term, defeating Republican challenger Justin Murphy.
- CD-2: Zack Mullock (D) defeated incumbent Jeff Van Drew (R).
- CD-7: Rebecca Bennett (D) defeated incumbent Tom Kean Jr. (R).
- CD-4: Republican Congressman Chris Smith retained his 4th Congressional District seat, leaving him as New Jersey’s sole Republican representative in Congress.
Key Takeaways
- Key congressional flips in NJ-2 and NJ-7 expanded the Democratic congressional delegation to 11 of the state’s 12 seats, while Republican Congressman Chris Smith retained his 4th Congressional District seat.
- Democrats made substantial gains in county-level and local elections across New Jersey, including significant victories in Monmouth, Morris, Atlantic, and Cumberland counties.
- The county-level results demonstrate a broader shift in New Jersey’s political landscape, extending beyond congressional races into traditionally Republican county governments.
- The losses in Monmouth, Morris, Atlantic, and Cumberland counties could reshape local leadership and influence county-level priorities, appointments, budgets, and policy decisions heading into 2027.
County and Local Election Results
Democrats made substantial gains in county-level and local elections across New Jersey, including the following notable results:
- Monmouth County: Democrats Chelsey Tanner and Sofia Ugarte won two seats on the Board of County Commissioners, defeating Republican incumbent Erik Anderson and Republican challenger Tony Perry. Democrat Anthony Cherry also defeated incumbent Republican Surrogate Maureen Raisch. The victories mark the first Democratic countywide wins in Monmouth since 2008. Republicans will retain a narrow 3-2 majority on the Commissioner Board.
- Morris County: Democrat Christopher Russo defeated incumbent Republican Commissioner Tayfun Selen, marking the first Democratic countywide victory in Morris County since 1973. Russo’s victory gives Democrats their first seat on the seven-member Commissioner Board in more than 50 years.
- Atlantic County: Democrats defeated five Republican county officials. Sean Riggin defeated incumbent Sheriff Joe O’Donoghue, and Lisa Bender defeated incumbent County Clerk Joseph Giralo. On the Board of County Commissioners, Jonathan Marcellus and Kyle Gornick won the two at-large seats, while Richard Healey defeated incumbent Commissioner Andrew Parker in the 3rd District. These results reduced the Republican majority on the nine-member board from 8-1 to 5-4.
- Cumberland County: Democrats flipped control of the Board of County Commissioners, with Joe Pepitone, Ron Franceschini, and LaRae Smith defeating Republican incumbents Sandra Taylor, Art Marchand, and James Sauro. Democrat Robert Austino also reclaimed the Sheriff’s Office, defeating incumbent Michael Donato.
- Local Races: Joyce Rudin defeated incumbent Mayor Susan McCartney in West Orange. In Trenton, Mayor Reed Gusciora was forced into a December 8 runoff against Corey McNair after neither candidate secured the required majority.
Political Landscape
The county-level results reflect a broader shift in New Jersey’s political landscape, extending beyond congressional races into traditionally Republican county governments. The losses in Monmouth, Morris, Atlantic, and Cumberland counties could reshape local leadership and influence county-level priorities, appointments, budgets, and policy decisions heading into 2027.
McCarter & English’s Government Affairs team is well positioned to navigate this moment of change in Washington, Trenton, and throughout New Jersey. For more information, please contact the authors of this alert or any the McCarter lawyer with whom you work.