New Jersey State Senate elections, 2011

| New Jersey's 2011 elections

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State Senate • General Assembly • State ballot measures • Candidate ballot access |

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See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2011

Elections for the office of New Jersey's state senators were held in New Jersey on November 8, 2011.

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New Jersey State Senate elections, 2011

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Primary Competitiveness

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Majority control • Campaign contributions

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Competitiveness Analysis
Candidates unopposed by a major party • Primary challenges • Retiring incumbents

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Redistricting • Qualifications

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List of candidates District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 9 • District 10 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 14 • District 15 • District 16 • District 17 • District 18 • District 19 • District 20 • District 21 • District 22• District 23 • District 24 • District 25 • District 26 • District 27 • District 28 • District 29 • District 30 • District 31 • District 32 • District 33 • District 34 • District 35 • District 36 • District 37 • District 38 • District 39 • District 40

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Other 2011 State Elections
Louisiana (S), (H) • Mississippi (S), (H) •
New Jersey (S), (GA) • Virginia (S), (H)

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Other 2011 Election coverage
Primary elections • Statewide elections, 2011 • State legislative special elections, 2011 • State Senate elections • State House elections • Gubernatorial elections, 2011 • 2011 ballot measures

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New Jersey State Senate

Elections were held for all 40 state senate seats. New Jersey's state senators typically serve for a 4-year term. However, after  each decennial census, the senators elected in the first post-redistricting election only serve for two (2) years. Thus, in the November 8, 2011 election, each senator was each elected to a 2-year term. The elections of the state's senators in 2013 and 2017 will be for 4-year terms.

Candidates who wished to run for New Jersey State Senate on the Democratic Party or Republican Party tickets were required to file their nominating signatures and meet other filing requirements by April 11, 56 days before the statewide primary election, in order to have their names listed on the ballot.

According to a Wall Street Journal analysis of unofficial county results, New Jersey voters set a new record low turnout of roughly 26%. Only 1.4 million of the state's 5.2 million registered voters actually cast a ballot. The previous record was 31% in 1999.[1]

## General election results[edit]

The following candidates won election on November 8, 2011:

1. Anthony Bucco
2. Barbara Buono
3. Bob Smith (New Jersey)
4. Brian Stack
5. Christopher Bateman
6. Christopher Connors
7. Dawn Addiego
8. Diane Allen
9. Donald Norcross
10. Fred Madden
11. Gerald Cardinale
12. James Beach
13. James Holzapfel
14. Jeff Van Drew
15. Jennifer Beck
16. Jim Whelan
17. Joseph Kyrillos
18. Joseph Pennacchio
19. Joseph Vitale
20. Kevin O'Toole
21. Linda Greenstein
22. Loretta Weinberg
23. Michael Doherty
24. Nellie Pou
25. Nia Gill
26. Nicholas Sacco
27. Nicholas Scutari
28. Paul Sarlo
29. Raymond Lesniak
30. Richard Codey
31. Robert Gordon (New Jersey)
32. Robert Singer
33. Ronald Rice
34. Samuel Thompson (New Jersey)
35. Sandra Cunningham
36. Shirley Turner
37. Stephen Sweeney
38. Steven Oroho
39. Teresa Ruiz (New Jersey)
40. Thomas Kean Jr.

## Odd-year elections[edit]

New Jersey is just one of four states that held state house elections in 2011. The other three states that hold house elections in odd-numbered years are Louisiana, Mississippi and Virginia.

New Jersey began holding elections in odd numbered years when the state adopted a new constitution in 1947. Prior to the new constitution, members of the Assembly were elected to one-year terms, members of the Senate to three-year terms and governors to three-year terms. The new constitution changed the term structure to include two years for representatives and four year terms for senators and governors. Because the constitution was adopted in an odd-numbered year, elections were also held in odd-numbered years and have continued in such a manner to this day.[2]

The notion also exists that the reason for odd year elections exists to insulate New Jersey politics from national politics. Former New Jersey Governor Alfred E. Driscoll made the following statement before the constitutional convention in 1947:[2]

...the election for a Governor and for Assemblymen should not coincide with a Presidential election. The importance of a gubernatorial election merits an election that will not be overshadowed by a national contest for the Presidency. The problems confronting the State are frequently distinct from those confronting the nation...

## Impact of redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in New Jersey

Every 10 years, the Constitution requires states to redraw Congressional and state legislative districts based on updated Census information. In 2011, New Jersey was the first state to complete its state legislative redistricting. Its 40 districts are re-drawn by a reapportionment commission comprised of 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans appointed by their respective party chairs. Since the committee deadlocked over new maps, an 11th, nonpartisan member was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court. For the third consecutive decade, Alan Rosenthal was chosen as the tie-breaking member. After the members from each party drafted proposals, Rosenthal cast the deciding vote, siding with the Democratic proposal. The new map could force more than 6 incumbents to retire or re-locate. In the Senate, two districts pit incumbents against one another.

The selection of the new maps disappointed Republicans, but the party expressed confidence about its chances. Governor Chris Christie took a special interest in the process, but was ultimately unable to sway the commission's final decision. A New Jersey Tea Party group filed suit over the plan in April -- 38 other plaintiffs from across the state have since joined the suit. The suit did not delay the state primary.

* Figure 1: This map shows the New Jersey legislative districts after the 2000 census.

* Figure 2: This map shows the New Jersey legislative districts after the 2010 census.

## Majority control[edit]

See also: Partisan composition of state senates

Going into the November 2011 elections, the Republican Party was the majority party in 29 state senates. One chamber (Nebraska) is officially nonpartisan and in one chamber (Alaska), several Republicans vote with a caucus other than the Republican caucus. In 19 states, the Democratic Party was the majority party. The New Jersey State Senate was one of the 19 chambers with a Democratic Party majority.

In the other 3 states with state senate elections in 2011 (Louisiana, Mississippi and Virginia), the Democratic Party was the majority party in Virginia, while the Republican Party was the majority party in the state senates of Louisiana and Mississippi.

The partisan composition of the New Jersey State Senate before and after the election is as follows:

New Jersey State Senate

Party  |  As of November 2011  |  After the 2011 Election
|  Democratic Party |  24 |  24
|  Republican Party |  16  |  16
Total |  40 |  40

### Races to watch[edit]

* Districts 2, 14, & 38: These districts were considered among the most competitive in the November 8 general election. Both PolitickerNJ and Asbury Park Press identified these districts as some of few competitive races in 2011. APP noted that all three districts became more Republican on paper with a shrinking proportion of registered Democrats. However, PolitickerNJ predicted that these changes will not ultimately result in GOP pick ups. NJ Spotlight even predicted that Assemblyman Vincent Polistina's decision to run for the Senate, may weaken the GOP assembly ticket in District 2.[3][4][5]

* District 1: PolitickerNJ noted that District 1 appeared to have Republican leanings--on paper. However, strong historical support for Senator Jeff Van Drew (D) called the predictive power of these figures into question. However, NJSpotlight noted that Republicans seem to be focused on reclaiming the district's assembly seats. Nevertheless, redistricting weakened the Republican base in District 1.[4][5]

* District 7: District 7 was split between both parties, with Republicans controlling the Senate seat and Democrats controlling the two Assembly seats. PolitickerNJ noted that several Republican-leaning areas were added to the area in redistricting, but since these districts came from a solidly Republican districts, Democratic turnout in these areas may expand in 2011. Joseph Malone, III (R) was also moved into District 7 via redistricting, but decided to retire. Jack Conners (D), on the other hand, was moved out of District 7 by redistricting and ultimately decided to retire. Troy Singleton was quickly appointed to replace Connors in the Assembly and run in District 7.[4][5]

* District 11: District 11 was reshaped to become a minority opportunity district. While NJSpotlight predicted a win for the GOP ticket, PolitickerNJ noted that the Asbury Park Press endorsement of Vin Gopal (D) may increase his chances of election. Also, the Democratic challengers in District 11 raised over $100,000.[4][5]

* District 16: District 16 was also significantly reshaped in 2011, moving its population center away from Somerset County. All of the Republican candidates (two incumbents and one challenger) were from the Somerset area. However, NJSpotlight noted that despite these changes and balanced partisan registration, the Democratic ticket remained relatively unfamiliar to voters.[4][5]

#### Christie predicts "historic" results[edit]

About two weeks before the general election, Governor Chris Christie (R) predicted that his party would retain its legislative seats on November 8. History, however, suggests that midterm losses are the norm for the governor's political party. Christie acknowledged that the results would "defy history."[6]

## Competitiveness[edit]

### Candidates unopposed by a major party[edit]

One incumbent (0.9%) faced no competition in the November 8 general election.

* 1 Republican incumbent (Dawn Addiego faced no November challenger

Addiego was slated to face Carl Lewis (D) in the general election but he was removed from the ballot over candidacy issues.

### Primary challenges[edit]

Five incumbents faced competition in the June 7 primary.

The following 5 incumbents (3 Democrats, 2 Republicans) won their primaries:

* District 7: Incumbent Republican Diane Allen
* District 20: Incumbent Democrat Raymond Lesniak
* District 25: Incumbent Republican Anthony Bucco
* District 31: Incumbent Democrat Sandra Cunningham
* District 32: Incumbent Democrat Nicholas Sacco

### Retiring incumbents[edit]

Four incumbent senators did not run for re-election, while 36 (90%) ran for re-election. Of the 4 incumbents who did not run for re-election, 1 is a Democrat and 3 are Republicans.

Incumbents who retired are:

* District 10: Incumbent Republican Andrew Ciesla
* District 11: Incumbent Republican Sean Kean
* District 12: Incumbent Republican Jennifer Beck
* District 35: Incumbent Democrat John Girgenti

### Incumbents displaced by redistricting[edit]

Seven incumbent senators were displaced by the 2011 redistricting process. Of the 7 displaced incumbents, 5 are Democrats and 2 are Republicans.

Incumbents who were displaced by redistricting:

* District 2: Incumbent Democrat Clarence E. Phillips now resides in district 4.
* District 10: Incumbent Democrat Ward Armstrong was moved to district 16. He decided to move to a residence in district 9, where he now seeks election.
* District 11: Incumbent Democrat Sean Kean, who is now running for District 30 of the General Assembly.
* District 12: Incumbent Republican Jennifer Beck now resides in district 11.
* District 18: Incumbent Republican Clay Athey now resides in district 29.
* District 35: Incumbent Democrat John Girgenti , who did not seek re-election.
* District 87: Incumbent Democrat Paula Miller now resides in district 100.

## Primary competitiveness[edit]

See also: Ballotpedia news report on New Jersey primary competitiveness

Despite the heightened political climate of the 2010 general elections, New Jersey's 2011 Senate primaries remained generally uncompetitive. As in 2007, a large majority of the state's major party candidates proceeded to the general election without a primary challenge. Of the 77 party primaries, only 9 featured two or more candidates competing for the nomination.

Comparing Contested Primaries in Past NJ Senate Elections

|  Democrats  |  Republicans  |  Total
| 2007 | 2011 | 2007 | 2011 | 2007 | 2011
Open contested | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4
Open uncontested | 21 | 15 | 22 | 22 | 43 | 37
Incumbent contested | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5
Incumbent uncontested | 13 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 24 | 31
No Candidates | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 3
Total contested | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 9
Total uncontested | 34 | 35 | 33 | 33 | 67 | 68

## Qualifications[edit]

In order to be a candidate to run for the New Jersey State Senate, a candidate must:

* Be a citizen of the United States
* Reside for no less than four years in the district the candidate plans to represent.
* Be 30 years of age or older.
* Obtain 100 signatures via petition and submit the signatures to the New Jersey Secretary of State.[7]
* Disclose any criminal convictions.[8]

## Campaign contributions[edit]

See also: State-by-state comparison of donations to state senate campaigns

During the 2011 election, the total contributions to the 97 Senate candidates was $27,085,886. The top 10 contributors were:[9]

2011 Donors, New Jersey State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Senate Republican Majority of New Jersey  | $1,079,798
Whelan for Senate Cooper & Tyner for Assembly  | $716,500
New Jersey Republican Party  | $471,297
Union City First  | $245,323
New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters  | $209,200
Cmte to Elect Lesniak Cryan & Quijano  | $198,225
New Jersey Association of Realtors  | $156,550
New Jersey State Laborers  | $135,800
New Jersey Education Association  | $134,100
New Jersey Automobile Dealers Assocation  | $122,893

On November 3, the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission published fundraising figures detailing the top fundraisers through October 25, 2011. During this period candidates from all districts spent a total of $24,828,692--an 8% drop from 2007. The top ten fundraising districts are as follows:[10]

District  |  Amt. Raised  |  Amt. Spent

|
|

District 2 |  $3,762,118  |  $3,161,517
District 38 |  $3,394,798  |  $3,023,924
District 27 |  $2,596,811  |  $1,478,438
District 3 |  $2,331,779  |  $1,753,254
District 7 |  $2,139,112  |  $1,642,013
District 14 |  $1,971,949  |  $1,850,513
District 36 |  $1,690,651  |  $1,205,468
District 1 |  $1,302,937  |  $1,149,273
District 18 |  $1,148,826  |  $809,782
District 17 |  $1,147,997  |  $352,571

## Endorsements[edit]

### Labor unions[edit]

On August 4, the New Jersey AFL-CIO voted to deny 22 Democrats, most notably Senators Stephen Sweeney and Donald Norcross, their endorsement in the 2011 general election. Earlier this year, these Democrats crossed the aisle and voted in favor of preventing public employee unions from collectively bargaining for health benefits and pensions--a move opposed by state labor unions.[5]

Although their endorsements were voted down, Sweeney and Norcross just barely missed the mark. A two-thirds vote of the endorsement convention is needed to bestow an official endorsement. Sweeney and Norcross fell short with 61% and 59%, respectively.[5]

Four Assembly Democrats (also union officials) who voted against the revocation of bargaining rights received enthusiastic endorsements--Thomas Giblin, Wayne DeAngelo, Joseph Egan and Nelson Albano all received endorsements on August 4. No Republicans were endorsed by the AFL-CIO.[5]

## List of candidates[edit]

Note: The following were the official candidates for the November 8 general election.

### District 1[edit]

Partisan dominance in state senates
heading into the 2011 state legislative elections

* * *

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Jeff Van Drew: 2,633 a Incumbent Van Drew was first elected in 2007.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Thomas Greto: 1,349
* David DeWeese: 4,844 a

November 8 General election candidates:

Jeff Van Drew: 24,557 a
David DeWeese: 20,857

### District 2[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Jim Whelan: 3,907 a Incumbent Whelan was first elected in 2007.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Vincent Polistina: 4,681 a Polistina was first elected to Assembly District 2 in 2007.

Independent candidate:

* ~~Lorenzo Langford~~ Filed for candidacy, but withdrew on September 20, 2011.[11]

November 8 General election candidates:

Jim Whelan: 24,075 a
Vincent Polistina: 20,997

### District 3[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Stephen Sweeney: 4,821 a Incumbent Sweeney was first elected in 2001.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Michael Mulligan: 3,359 a

November 8 General election candidates:

Stephen Sweeney: 25,299 a
Michael Mulligan: 20,197

### District 4[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Fred Madden: 4,599 a Incumbent Madden was first elected in 2003.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Giancarlo D'Orazio: 2,012 a

Independent candidate:

* Paul Alexander withdrew

November 8 General election candidates:

Fred Madden: 23,868 a
Giancarlo D'Orazio: 14,569

### District 5[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Donald Norcross: 4,537 a Incumbent Norcross was first elected in 2009.

June 7 GOP primary:

* George Gallenthin, III: 389
* Keith Walker: 1,539 a

November 8 General election candidates:

Donald Norcross: 17,712 a
Keith Walker: 13,444

### District 6[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* James Beach: 3,635 a Incumbent Beach was first elected in 2009.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Phil Mitsch: 2,028 a

November 8 General election candidates:

James Beach: 25,297 a
Phil Mitsch: 15,415

### District 7[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Gail Cook: 4,678 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Diane Allen: 3,904 a Incumbent Allen was first elected in 1997.
* Carole LoKan-Moore: 416

November 8 General election candidates:

Gail Cook: 20,370
Diane Allen: 27,011 a

### District 8[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* ~~Carl Lewis~~ : 2,654 a Note: Lewis was removed from the ballot on April 25, 2011 due to residency conflicts. On May 5, the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Lewis should remain on the ballot for the June 7 Democratic primary until the constitutionality of New Jersey's residency requirement could be determined.[12] Lewis was once again removed from the candidate rolls by Lt. Gov Kim Guadagno on August 16; Guadagno argued that the court injunction keeping Lewis on the ballot applied only to the primary.[13] On September 13, Lewis was ordered back on the ballot by a 2-1 federal court decision.[14] However, on September 22, the panel reversed itself, concluding that Lewis' California activities contradicted his claim of New Jersey residency.[15] On September 23, Lewis announced that he would not appeal the 3rd Circuit's ruling which removed him from the ballot.[16]

June 7 GOP primary:

* Dawn Addiego: 4,702 a Incumbent Addiego was first elected in 2009.

November 8 General election candidates:

~~Carl Lewis~~
Dawn Addiego: 22,396 a

### District 9[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Dorothy Ryan: 3,253 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Christopher Connors: 6,404 a Incumbent Connors was first elected in 2007.

November 8 General election candidates:

Dorothy Ryan: 17,320
Christopher Connors: 32,027 a

### District 10[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Charles Tivenan: 2,771 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* James Holzapfel: 4,220 a Holzapfel was first elected to Assembly District 10 in 1993.

Note: Republican incumbent Andrew Ciesla did not run for re-election.

November 8 General election candidates:

Charles Tivenan: 16,105
James Holzapfel: 28,675 a

### District 11[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Raymond Santiago: 1,916 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Jennifer Beck: 2,486 a

Note: Republican incumbent Sean Kean did not run for re-election. He instead ran for Assembly District 30.

November 8 General election candidates:

Raymond Santiago: 15,487
Jennifer Beck: 20,226 a

### District 12[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Robert Brown: 1,521 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Samuel Thompson: 2,161 a Thompson was first elected to Assembly District 12 in 1997.

Note: Republican incumbent Jennifer Beck did not run for re-election to District 12, rather she ran for District 11.

November 8 General election candidates:

Robert Brown: 15,125
Samuel Thompson: 22,578 a

### District 13[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Christopher Cullen: 302 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Joseph Kyrillos: 2,104 a Incumbent Kyrillos was first elected in 1991.

Independent candidates:

* Mac Dara Lyden
* Karen Anne Zaletel

Constitution party candidates:

* Stephen Boracchia

November 8 General election candidates:

Christopher Cullen: 14,785
Joseph Kyrillos: 24,121 a
Mac Dara Lyden: 260
Karen Anne Zaletel: 519
Stephen Boracchia: 556

### District 14[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Linda Greenstein: 3,864 a Incumbent Greenstein was first elected in 2009.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Richard Kanka: 2,344 a

November 8 General election candidates:

Linda Greenstein: 26,206 a
Richard Kanka: 21,176

### District 15[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Shirley Turner: 3,986 a Incumbent Turner was first elected in 1997.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Donald Cox: 1,229 a

November 8 General election candidates:

Shirley Turner: 21,512 a
Donald Cox: 10,900

### District 16[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Maureen Vella: 2,634 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Christopher Bateman: 4,361 a Incumbent Bateman was first elected in 1997.

November 8 General election candidates:

Maureen Vella: 17,460
Christopher Bateman: 21,040 a

### District 17[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Bob Smith: 3,065 a Incumbent Smith was first elected in 2001.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Jordan Rickards: 931 a

November 8 General election candidates:

Bob Smith: 15,507 a
Jordan Rickards: 8,715

### District 18[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Barbara Buono: 5,225 a Incumbent Buono was first elected in 2001.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Gloria Dittman: 1,302 a

November 8 General election candidates:

Barbara Buono: 19,631 a
Gloria Dittman: 13,042

### District 19[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Joseph Vitale: 5,442 a Incumbent Vitale was first elected in 1997.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Paul Lund: 1,182 a

November 8 General election candidates:

Joseph Vitale: 18,623 a
Paul Lund: 9,232

### District 20[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Raymond Lesniak: 8,124 a Incumbent Lesniak was first elected in 1983.
* Jerome Dunn: 7,335

June 7 GOP primary:

* Helen Rosales: 630 a

November 8 General election candidates:

Raymond Lesniak: 12,510 a
Helen Rosales: 4,052

### District 21[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Paul Swanicke: 2,869 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Thomas Kean: 4,730 a Incumbent Kean was first elected in 2003.

November 8 General election candidates:

Paul Swanicke: 13,351
Thomas Kean: 27,750 a

### District 22[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Nicholas Scutari: 5,519 a Incumbent Scutari was first elected in 2003.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Shannon Wright Note: Wright withdrew from the race in late April.
* Michael Class: 272

November 8 General election candidates:

Nicholas Scutari: 16,104 a
Michael Class: 10,024

### District 23[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* John Graf: 1,714 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Michael Doherty: 6,456 a Incumbent Doherty was first elected in 2009.

Independent candidate:

* Daniel Seyler

November 8 General election candidates:

John Graf: 12,579
Michael Doherty: 21,596 a
Daniel Seyler: 1,040

### District 24[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Edwin Selby: 1,340 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Steven Oroho: 7,582 a Incumbent Oroho was first elected in 2007.

November 8 General election candidates:

Edwin Selby: 10,837
Steven Oroho: 21,044 a

### District 25[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Rick Thoeni: 2,952 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Anthony Bucco: 8,361 a Incumbent Bucco was first elected in 1997.
* William Chegwidden: 4,342

November 8 General election candidates:

Rick Thoeni: 12,298
Anthony Bucco: 19,228 a

### District 26[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Wasim Khan: 1,883 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Joseph Pennacchio: 7,598 a Incumbent Pennacchio was first elected in 2007.

Independent:

* Joseph Scafa a

November 8 General election candidates:

Wasim Khan: 10,317
Joseph Pennacchio: 20,230 a
Joseph Scafa: 913

### District 27[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Richard Codey: 7,605 a Incumbent Codey was first elected in 1981.

June 7 GOP primary:

* William Eames: 3,705 a
* William Sullivan: 3,235

November 8 General election candidates:

Richard Codey: 27,089 a
William Eames: 16,741

### District 28[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Ronald Rice: 7,596 a Incumbent Rice was first elected in 1985.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Russell Mollica: 809 a

November 8 General election candidates:

Ronald Rice: 14,781 a
Russell Mollica: 4,519

### District 29[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Teresa Ruiz: 4,356 a Incumbent Ruiz was first elected in 2007.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Aracelis Sanabria Tejada: 419 a

Independent candidate:

* Laurie Taylor

November 8 General election candidates:

Teresa Ruiz: 9,076 a
Aracelis Sanabria Tejada: 1,598
Laurie Taylor: 363

### District 30[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Steve Morlino: 1,481 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Robert Singer: 3,829 a Incumbent Singer was first elected in 1993.

November 8 General election candidates:

Steve Morlino: 11,376
Robert Singer: 21,990 a

### District 31[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Sandra Cunningham: 7,489 a Incumbent Cunningham was first elected in 2007.
* Bruce Alston: 1,312

June 7 GOP primary:

* Donnamarie James: 543 a

June 7 Eliminate Primary Elections party primary:

* Louis Vernotico

November 8 General election candidates:

Sandra Cunningham: 13,275 a
Donnamarie James: 2,836
Louis Vernotico: 320

### District 32[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Nicholas Sacco: 10,211 a Incumbent Sacco was first elected in 1993.
* Jeff Boss: 505

June 7 GOP primary:

* Edward O'Neill: 936 a

Independent candidate:

* Herbert Shaw

November 8 General election candidates:

Nicholas Sacco: 16,413 a
Edward O'Neill: 3,312
Herbert Shaw: 588

### District 33[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Brian Stack: 17,536 a Incumbent Stack was first elected in 2007.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Beth Hamburger: 981 a

November 8 General election candidates:

Brian Stack: 20,223 a
Beth Hamburger: 3,136

### District 34[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Nia Gill: 8,393 a Incumbent Gill was first elected in 2001.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Ralph Bartnik: 1,112 a
* Gwendelyn Sanford Note: Sanford was removed from the ballot after her candidacy was found invalid on April 27, 2011.

November 8 General election candidates:

Nia Gill: 17,118 a
Ralph Bartnik: 4,386

### District 35[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Nellie Pou: 3,918 a Pou was first elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1997.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Ken Pengitore: 1,031 a
* Jerry Gamble Note: Gamble did not appear on the June 7 primary election ballot.

Note: Democratic incumbent John Girgenti did not run for re-election in 2011.

November 8 General election candidates:

Nellie Pou: 14,386 a
Ken Pengitore: 4,867

### District 36[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Paul Sarlo: 2,412 a Incumbent Sarlo was first elected in 2003.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Donald DiOrio: 1,615 a
* Simon Grubin Note: Grubin withdrew from the race on April 18, 2011.

November 8 General election candidates:

Paul Sarlo: 18,582 a
Donald DiOrio: 11,055

### District 37[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Loretta Weinberg: 4,606 a Incumbent Weinberg was first elected in 2005.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Robert Lebovics: 1,093 a

November 8 General election candidates:

Loretta Weinberg: 23,141 a
Robert Lebovics: 9,980

### District 38[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Robert Gordon: 2,666 a Incumbent Gordon was first elected in 2007.

June 7 GOP primary:

* John Driscoll, Jr.: 2,412 a
* Kenneth Del Vecchio: 1,174
* Michael Agosta Note: Agosta withdrew from the race in April.

November 8 General election candidates:

Robert Gordon: 22,299 a
John Driscoll, Jr.: 19,745

### District 39[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* Lorraine Waldes: 119 Note: Waldes was removed from the ballot after a candidacy challenge from Republicans, but was replaced in August.

June 7 GOP primary:

* Gerald Cardinale: 3,321 a Incumbent Caredinale was first elected in 1981.
* Michael Cino Note: Cino's candidacy was found invalid by the Secretary of State in late April.

November 8 General election candidates:

Lorraine Waldes: 16,097
Gerald Cardinale: 28,041 a

### District 40[edit]

June 7 Democratic primary:

* John Zunic: 1,886 a

June 7 GOP primary:

* Kevin O'Toole: 5,438 a Incumbent O'Toole was first elected in 2007.

November 8 General election candidates:

John Zunic: 13,733
Kevin O'Toole: 22,821 a

## See also[edit]

* New Jersey State Senate
* New Jersey State Legislature
* State legislative elections, 2011

## External links[edit]

* Official General Election Results
* Official Primary Election Results
* Associated Press Unofficial general election results
* Unofficial primary results
* Official State Senate Candidates (dead link)
* Project Vote Smart Candidates for State Senate of New Jersey
* Unofficial third party candidates (dead link)

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Wall Street Journal, "New Jersey Breaks Record for Fewest Voters," November 9, 2011
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Thicket of State Legislatures, Why do Four States Have Odd-Year Elections?, Aug. 25, 2011
3. ↑ Asbury Park Press, "Race for Legislature is on," September 23, 2011
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 PolitickerNJ, "New Jersey Legislative Forecast," November 1, 2011
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 NJ Spotlight, "Election 2011: Where the Republicans Can Pick Up Assembly Seats," April 12, 2011 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; name "spotlight" defined multiple times with different content
6. ↑ The Republic, "Christie: NJ GOP won't lose any legislative seats to Democrats in upcoming midterm elections," November 1, 2011
7. ↑ New Jersey Secretary of State, "Partisan Office Candidate Requirements (dead link)
8. ↑ New Jersey Secretary of State, "Memo to General Assembly and Senate Candidates on Criminal Disclosure," April 8, 2005 (dead link)
9. ↑ Follow the Money, "New Jersey State Senate 2011 Campaign Contributions"
10. ↑ New Jersey ELEC, "News Release," November 3, 2011
11. ↑ NJ.com, "Atlantic City mayor decides against state Senate run," September 20, 2011
12. ↑ NJ.com, "U.S. appeals court orders that Carl Lewis be placed on N.J. Senate primary ballot," May 5, 2011
13. ↑ NJ.com, "Lt. Gov. Guadagno won't certify Carl Lewis as N.J. Senate candidate," August 16, 2011
14. ↑ Forbes, Carl Lewis back on ballot in NJ senate race, Sept.13, 2011 (dead link)
15. ↑ Examiner.com, "The final chapter in Carl Lewis' quest for the state Senate," September 27, 2011
16. ↑ NBC Philadelphia, "Carl Lewis Quits NJ Senate Race," September 23, 2011

[show]

Current members of the New Jersey State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Stephen Sweeney

Senators

District 1

Mike Testa (R)

District 2

Vacant

District 3

Stephen Sweeney (D)

District 4

Fred Madden (D)

District 5

Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D)

District 6

James Beach (D)

District 7

Troy Singleton (D)

District 8

Dawn Addiego (D)

District 9

Christopher Connors (R)

District 10

James Holzapfel (R)

District 11

Vin Gopal (D)

District 12

Samuel Thompson (R)

District 13

Declan O'Scanlon (R)

District 14

Linda Greenstein (D)

District 15

Shirley Turner (D)

District 16

Christopher Bateman (R)

District 17

Bob Smith (D)

District 18

Patrick Diegnan (D)

District 19

Joseph Vitale (D)

District 20

Joseph Cryan (D)

District 21

Thomas Kean (R)

District 22

Nicholas Scutari (D)

District 23

Michael Doherty (R)

District 24

Steven Oroho (R)

District 25

Anthony Bucco (R)

District 26

Joseph Pennacchio (R)

District 27

Richard Codey (D)

District 28

Ronald Rice (D)

District 29

Teresa Ruiz (D)

District 30

Robert Singer (R)

District 31

Sandra Cunningham (D)

District 32

Nicholas Sacco (D)

District 33

Brian Stack (D)

District 34

Nia Gill (D)

District 35

Nellie Pou (D)

District 36

Paul Sarlo (D)

District 37

Loretta Weinberg (D)

District 38

Joseph Lagana (D)

District 39

Holly Schepisi (R)

District 40

Kristin Corrado (R)

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