2017 New Jersey Senate election explained

The 2017 New Jersey State Senate elections were held on November 7, 2017, to elect senators for all 40 legislative districts across New Jersey. These elections coincided with the election of Governor Phil Murphy. The winners of this election would serve in the 218th New Jersey Legislature, with seats apportioned based on the 2010 United States census. The Democratic Party grew its majority in the Senate, with incumbent Senate President Steve Sweeney re-elected to the top leadership post. Republican Thomas Kean, Jr. continued to lead his party as minority leader. This was the first state Senate election cycle in 10 years where any party flipped a Senate seat.

Democrats briefly held 26 seats from January through December 2019 following the party switch of Dawn Addiego, resulting in the Democrats controlling the highest percentage of seats since 1977. However, a 2019 special election in District 1 reduced the Democrats back to 25 seats.

Contents Summary of results • Incumbents not running By District: 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 • 39 • 40

Summary of results

↓

25	15
Democratic	Republican

!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" align=center rowspan= 2 colspan=2| Parties!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" align=center colspan=4| Seats!style="background-color:#E9E9E9" align=center colspan=3| Popular vote|- bgcolor=#E9E9E9| align="center" | 2013| align="center" |2017| align="center" |+/−| align="center" |Strength| align="center" |Vote| align="center" |%| align="center" |Change|-| style="background-color:;" | | align="left" | Democratic Party| align="right" | 24| align="right" | 25| align="right" | 1| align="right" | 62.50%| align="right" | 1,185,420| align="right" | 59.5%| align="right" | +12.1%|-| style="background-color:;" | | align="left" | Republican Party| align="right" | 16| align="right" | 15| align="right" | 1| align="right" | 37.50%| align="right" | 802,418| align="right" | 40.3%| align="right" | −11.8%|-| style="background-color:;" | | align="left" | Green Party| align="right" | -

| align="right" | -| align="right" | -| align="right" | -| align="right" | 1,306| align="right" | 0.1%| align="right" | -|-| style="background-color:;" | | align="left" | Libertarian Party| align="right" | -| align="right" | -| align="right" | -| align="right" | -| align="right" | 574| align="right" | <0.1%| align="right" | −0.1%|-| style="background-color:;" | | align="left" | Independent| align="right" | -| align="right" | -| align="right" | -| align="right" | -| align="right" | 2,545| align="right" | 0.1%| align="right" | −0.4%|- bgcolor=CCCCCC| align="center" colspan="2" | Totals| align="center" | 40| align="center" | 40| align="center" | 0| align="center" | 100.0%| align="center" | 1,992,263| align="center" | 100.0%| align="center" | -|- bgcolor=E9E9E9| align="left" colspan=9|Source: http://njelections.org/2017-results/2017-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf Election Statistics – New Jersey Secretary of State (note: does not include blank, write-in and over/under votes)|-|}

Incumbents not seeking re-election

Democratic

• Raymond Lesniak, District 20 (running for governor)^[1]

Republican

• Diane Allen, District 7^[2]
• Joe Kyrillos, District 13^[3]

In addition, four members who were elected in the prior election in 2013 had since left office: Donald Norcross (D-5th, resigned),^[4] Peter J. Barnes III (D-18th, resigned),^[5] Kevin J. O'Toole (R-40th, resigned),^[6] and Jim Whelan (D-2nd, died in office).^[7]

Summary of results by State Senate district

District	Incumbent	Party		Elected Senator	Party
1st Legislative District	Jeff Van Drew		Dem	Jeff Van Drew		Dem
2nd Legislative District	Colin Bell		Dem	Chris A. Brown		Rep
3rd Legislative District	Steve Sweeney		Dem	Steve Sweeney		Dem
4th Legislative District	Fred Madden		Dem	Fred Madden		Dem
5th Legislative District	Nilsa Cruz-Perez		Dem	Nilsa Cruz-Perez		Dem
6th Legislative District	James Beach		Dem	James Beach		Dem
7th Legislative District	Diane Allen		Rep	Troy Singleton		Dem
8th Legislative District	Dawn Addiego		Rep	Dawn Addiego		Rep
9th Legislative District	Christopher Connors		Rep	Christopher Connors		Rep
10th Legislative District	Jim Holzapfel		Rep	Jim Holzapfel		Rep
11th Legislative District	Jennifer Beck		Rep	Vin Gopal		Rep
12th Legislative District	Samuel D. Thompson		Rep	Samuel D. Thompson		Rep
13th Legislative District	Joe Kyrillos		Rep	Declan O'Scanlon		Rep
14th Legislative District	Linda Greenstein		Dem	Linda Greenstein		Dem
15th Legislative District	Shirley Turner		Dem	Shirley Turner		Dem
16th Legislative District	Kip Bateman		Rep	Kip Bateman		Rep
17th Legislative District	Bob Smith		Dem	Bob Smith		Dem
18th Legislative District	Patrick J. Diegnan		Dem	Patrick J. Diegnan		Dem
19th Legislative District	Joe Vitale		Dem	Joe Vitale		Dem
20th Legislative District	Raymond Lesniak		Dem	Joseph P. Cryan		Dem
21st Legislative District	Tom Kean Jr.		Rep	Tom Kean Jr.		Rep
22nd Legislative District	Nicholas Scutari		Dem	Nicholas Scutari		Dem
23rd Legislative District	Michael Doherty		Rep	Michael Doherty		Rep
24th Legislative District	Steve Oroho		Rep	Steve Oroho		Rep
25th Legislative District	Anthony Bucco		Rep	Anthony Bucco		Rep
26th Legislative District	Joe Pennacchio		Rep	Joe Pennacchio		Rep
27th Legislative District	Richard Codey		Dem	Richard Codey		Dem
28th Legislative District	Ronald Rice		Dem	Ronald Rice		Dem
29th Legislative District	Teresa Ruiz		Dem	Teresa Ruiz		Dem
30th Legislative District	Robert W. Singer		Rep	Robert W. Singer		Rep
31st Legislative District	Sandra Bolden Cunningham		Dem	Sandra Bolden Cunningham		Dem
32nd Legislative District	Nicholas Sacco		Dem	Nicholas Sacco		Dem
33rd Legislative District	Brian Stack		Dem	Brian Stack		Dem
34th Legislative District	Nia Gill		Dem	Nia Gill		Dem
35th Legislative District	Nellie Pou		Dem	Nellie Pou		Dem
36th Legislative District	Paul Sarlo		Dem	Paul Sarlo		Dem
37th Legislative District	Loretta Weinberg		Dem	Loretta Weinberg		Dem
38th Legislative District	Robert M. Gordon		Dem	Robert M. Gordon		Dem
39th Legislative District	Gerald Cardinale		Rep	Gerald Cardinale		Rep
40th Legislative District	Kristin Corrado		Rep	Kristin Corrado		Rep

Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

5. gain
6. gain

Results by district

District 1

See also: 1st Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Jeff Van Drew, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Mary Gruccio, Superintendent of Vineland Public Schools and former Cumberland County Freeholder^[8]

Results

Independents and third parties

Declared

• Anthony Parisi Sanchez (independent), community activist and former Marine Corps reservist^[9]

General election

Endorsements

Polling

Results

District 2

See also: 2nd Legislative District (New Jersey). Incumbent Democratic senator Jim Whelan declined to seek a fourth term, announcing his retirement on January 4, 2017.^[11] Whelan died in office on August 22.

Democratic primary

Declared

• Colin Bell, former Atlantic County Freeholder and nominee for Assembly in 2015^[12]

Withdrawn

• Vince Mazzeo, state assemblyman (running for re-election)^[13]

Results
Following the death of Whelan on August 22, 2017, Bell was unanimously selected to fill the remainder of his term by local Democratic committee members on September 5, and was sworn in on October 5.^{[14] [15]}

Republican primary

Declared

• Chris A. Brown, state assemblyman^[16]

Results

General election

Endorsements

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Colin Bell (D)	Chris Brown (R)	Other	Undecided
Stockton University[17]	October 26 – November 1, 2017	530 LV	± 4.3%	43%	46%	1%	8%
Stockton University[18]	September 23–28, 2017	521 LV	± 4.3%	46.5%	46.2%	<1%	5%

Results

District 3

See also: 3rd Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Stephen M. Sweeney, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Fran Grenier, chairman of the Salem County Republican Party and former Woodstown Borough Councilman^[19]

Results

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Samplesize	Margin of error	Stephen M. Sweeney (D)	Fran Grenier (R)	Undecided
Global Strategy Group[20]	October 9–12, 2017	402 LV	± 4.9%	align="center"	48%	36%	14%
Cygnal (R)	October 9–11, 2017	402 LV	± 4.87%	align="center"	42%	36%	22%
Cygnal (R)[21]	September 19–20, 2017	402 LV	± 4.87%	align="center"	48%	30%	22%

Endorsements

Results

District 4

See also: 4th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Fred H. Madden, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Michael Pascetta

Results

Pascetta was not on the official list of candidates for the general election.

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 5

See also: 5th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Nilsa Cruz-Perez, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Keith Walker, nominee for Senate in 2011 and 2013^[22]

Results

Independents and third parties

Declared

• Mohammad Kabir (independent)

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 6

See also: 6th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• James Beach, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Robert Shapiro

Results

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 7

See also: 7th Legislative District (New Jersey). Citing health concerns, incumbent Republican senator Diane Allen declined to run for a seventh term, announcing her retirement on January 31, 2017.

Republican primary

Declared

• Rob Prisco, Riverside Township Committeeman and nominee for Assembly in 2015^[23]

Results

On June 13, Governor Chris Christie nominated Prisco to a worker's compensation judgeship, whom consequently would later drop out. Local Republican committee members selected Delanco Mayor John Browne as a replacement candidate on September 6.^[24]

Democratic primary

Declared

• Troy Singleton, state assemblyman^[25]

Withdrawn

• Cory Cottingham

Declined

• Herb Conaway, state assemblyman (running for re-election)^[26]
• Carol A. Murphy, director of policy and communication for Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera (running for Assembly)^[27]

Results

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 8

See also: 8th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• Dawn Marie Addiego, incumbent senator

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• George B. Youngkin

Results

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 9

See also: 9th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• Christopher J. Connors, incumbent senator

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• Brian Corley White, attorney^[28]

Results

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 10

See also: 10th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• James W. Holzapfel, incumbent senator

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• Emma Mammano, mental health counselor^[29]

Results

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 11

See also: 11th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• Jennifer Beck, incumbent senator

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• Vin Gopal, businessman, nominee for Assembly in 2011, and former chairman of the Monmouth County Democratic Party (resigned upon declaration)^[30]

Results

General election

Endorsements

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Samplesize	Margin of error	Jennifer Beck (R)	Vin Gopal (D)
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (D)[31]	October 30 – November 1, 2017	400 LV	± 4.9%	48%	49%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (D)[32]	July 17–19, 2017	400 LV	± 4.9%	52%	41%

Results

District 12

See also: 12th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• Art Haney, chairman of the Old Bridge Republican Party and former mayor of Old Bridge^[33]
• Samuel D. Thompson, incumbent senator

Endorsements
Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• David Lande, attorney^[34]

Results

Independents and third parties

Declared

• Kevin Antoine (independent), SUNY health professor^[35]

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 13

See also: 13th Legislative District (New Jersey). Incumbent Republican senator Joe Kyrillos announced that he would not run for a ninth term on October 25, 2016.^[3]

Republican primary

Declared

• Declan O'Scanlon, state assemblyman

Withdrawn

• Amy Handlin, state assemblywoman (running for re-election)^{[36] [37]}

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• Sean Byrnes, former Middletown Township Committeeman^[38]
• Joshua Leinsdorf, former Princeton school board member and perennial candidate^[39]

Results

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 14

See also: 14th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Linda R. Greenstein, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Bruce MacDonald, jewelry store owner^[40]
• Ileana Schirmer, Hamilton Township (Mercer) Councilwoman^[41]

Results

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 15

See also: 15th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Shirley Turner, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Lee Eric Newton

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 16

See also: 16th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• Christopher Bateman, incumbent senator

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• Laurie Poppe, attorney, social worker, and nominee for Hillsborough Township Committee in 2015 and 2016^[42]

Withdrawn

• Zenon Christodoulu, businessman^{[43] [44]}

Declined

• Andrew Koontz, Mercer County Freeholder
• Liz Lempert, mayor of Princeton
• Andrew Zwicker, state assemblyman (running for re-election)^[45]

Results

General election

Endorsements
Polling

Results

District 17

See also: 17th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Bill Irwin, Piscataway Board of Education President^[47]
• Bob Smith, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Daryl J. Kipnis, attorney^[48]

Results

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 18

See also: 18th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Patrick J. Diegnan, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Mark Csizmar, former East Brunswick Police officer and nominee for East Brunswick Township Council in 2016^[49]

Results

Csizmar was replaced on the ballot for the general election by Lewis Glogower, who was previously one of the nominees for the Assembly seat.

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 19

See also: 19th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Joe Vitale, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Arthur J. Rittenhouse Jr.

Results
Following the primary, Rittenhouse dropped out of the race on September 14.^[50]

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 20

See also: 20th Legislative District (New Jersey). Incumbent Democratic senator Raymond Lesniak declined to run for re-election and instead ran for governor.^[1]

Democratic primary

Declared

• Joseph Cryan, Union County Sheriff, former state assemblyman, and former chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee^[51]

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Ashraf Hanna

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 21

See also: 21st Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• Thomas Kean Jr., incumbent senator

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• Jill LaZare, attorney and nominee for Assembly in 2013 and 2015^[52]

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 22

See also: 22nd Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Nicholas Scutari, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Joseph A. Bonilla

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 23

See also: 23rd Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• Michael J. Doherty, incumbent senator

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• Christine Lui Chen, health care executive^[53]

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 24

See also: 24th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• William Hayden, NJDOT employee and vice president of the Skylands Tea Party^{[54] [55]}
• Steve Oroho, incumbent senator^{[56] [57]}

Withdrawn

• Gail Phoebus, state assemblywoman^{[58] [59]}

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• Jennifer Hamilton, attorney^{[60] [61]}

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 25

See also: 25th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• Anthony Bucco, incumbent senator

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• Lisa Bhimani, OB/GYN^[62]

Results

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 26

See also: 26th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• Joseph Pennacchio, incumbent senator

Declined

• Tom Mastrangelo, Morris County Freeholder^[63]

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• Elliot Isibor, nominee for Assembly in 2011 and 2013^[64]

Results

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 27

See also: 27th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Richard Codey, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Pasquale "Pat" Capozzoli, Caldwell Borough Councilman^[64]

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 28

See also: 28th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Ronald Rice, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

No Republicans filed.Results

Independents and third parties

Declared

• Troy Knight-Napper (Green)

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 29

See also: 29th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Teresa Ruiz, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Maria E. Lopez

Results

Independents and third parties

Declared

• Pablo Olivera (One Nation Party), perennial candidate^[65]

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 30

See also: 30th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• Robert Singer, incumbent senator

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• Amy Sara Cores, attorney

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 31

See also: 31st Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Sandra Bolden Cunningham, incumbent senator

Declined

• Angela V. McKnight, state assemblywoman (running for re-election)^{[66] [67]}

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Herminio Mendoza

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 32

See also: 32nd Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Nicholas Sacco, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Paul Castelli

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 33

See also: 33rd Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Brian P. Stack, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Beth Hamburger

Results

General election

Results

District 34

See also: 34th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Nia Gill, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Mahir Saleh

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 35

See also: 35th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Nellie Pou, incumbent senator
• Haytham Younes, real estate investor and candidate for Paterson City Council in 2014^{[68] [69]}

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Marwan Sholakh

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 36

See also: 36th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Paul Sarlo, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Jeanine Ferrara

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 37

See also: 37th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Loretta Weinberg, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Eric P. Fisher
• Modesto Romero

Results

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 38

See also: 38th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Democratic primary

Declared

• Robert M. Gordon, incumbent senator

Results

Republican primary

Declared

• Kelly Langschultz, New Milford Borough Councilwoman^[70]

Declined

• John Cosgrove, mayor of Fair Lawn^[71]

Results

General election

Endorsements

Results

District 39

See also: 39th Legislative District (New Jersey).

Republican primary

Declared

• Gerald Cardinale, incumbent senator

Withdrawn

• John McCann, former Cresskill borough councilman^{[72] [73]}

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

• Linda Schwager, mayor of Oakland^[74]

Results

Independents and third parties

Declared

• James Tosone (Libertarian)

General election

Endorsements
Results

District 40

See also: 40th Legislative District (New Jersey). Incumbent Republican senator Kevin J. O'Toole announced on January 15, 2016, that he would not run for re-election.^[75] On March 13, 2017, he was confirmed by the state senate to the board of commissioners of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. O'Toole, however, did not immediately resign to accept the position, staying for the time being in his Senate seat to "tie up loose ends."^[76] He officially resigned his seat on July 1.^[77]

Republican primary

Declared

• Edward Buttimore, former investigator for the New Jersey Attorney General^[78]
• Kristin Corrado, Passaic County Clerk^[79]
• Paul DiGaetano, chairman of the Bergen County Republican Party and former state assemblyman (District 36)^[80]

Results

Following O'Toole's resignation, Corrado was selected without opposition by local Republican committee members to serve the remainder of his term on July 26, and was sworn in on October 5.^[81]

Democratic primary

Declared

• Thomas Duch, Garfield City Manager^[82]

Results

General election

Endorsements
Polling

Results

See also

• 2017 New Jersey elections
• 2017 New Jersey General Assembly election
• List of New Jersey state legislatures

Notes and References

1. Web site: Friedman. Matt. Lesniak files paperwork to run for governor. PoliticoNew Jersey. February 20, 2017. January 5, 2017.
2. Web site: Levinsky. David. Woods. Brian. State Sen. Diane Allen announces she will retire at end of current term. Burlington County Times. April 9, 2017. January 31, 2017. March 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170312143936/http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/local/state-sen-diane-allen-announces-she-will-retire-at-end/article_2f300b7e-e7e7-11e6-b145-2f567a1563ab.html. dead.
3. Web site: Kurson. Ken. Exclusive: Joe Kyrillos Declines to Seek Re-Election. Observer. February 20, 2017. October 25, 2016.
4. Web site: Norcross to be sworn in to Congress this week. AP. July 21, 2017. November 10, 2014.
5. Web site: Loyer. Susan. Barnes leaves NJ Senate for Superior Court judgeship. myCentralJersey.com. July 21, 2017. April 25, 2016.
6. Web site: New Jersey Legislative Digest . 2017.
7. Web site: Jackson. Vincent. Huba. Nicholas. Sen. Jim Whelan suffered heart attack at Atlantic City home. The Press of Atlantic City. September 5, 2017. August 23, 2017.
8. Web site: Pizarro. Max. Gruccio to Run in Republican Primary to Go Up Against Van Drew in LD1. Insider NJ. April 9, 2017. March 14, 2017.
9. Web site: Avedissian. Eric. Van Drew, Parisi Sanchez show differences. Ocean City Sentinel. November 7, 2017. October 18, 2017. September 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924114400/http://www.ocsentinel.com/news/van-drew-parisi-sanchez-show-differences/article_7ab0a466-b445-11e7-8030-2fe2ec767d99.html. dead.
10. https://stockton.edu/hughes-center/polling/documents/2017-0922-dems-lead-gop-in-1st-district-race.pdf Stockton University
11. Web site: Huba. Nicholas. State Senator Jim Whelan will not seek re-election. The Press of Atlantic City. April 9, 2017. January 4, 2017.
12. Web site: DeRosier. John. Vince Mazzeo drops out of state Senate race. The Press of Atlantic City. April 9, 2017. March 15, 2017.
13. Web site: Marino. Suzanne. Mazzeo announces run for Senate. ShoreNewsToday. February 20, 2017. January 5, 2017. February 23, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170223043729/http://www.shorenewstoday.com/mainland/news/mazzeo-announces-run-for-senate/article_b634fd18-1579-5c25-84f8-893ee5ad575a.html. dead.
14. Web site: Johnson. Brent. Here's who will replace the late Jim Whelan in the N.J. Senate. NJ.com. October 6, 2017. September 6, 2017.
15. Web site: Pizarro. Max. State Senate Update: Corrado and Bell Assume the Oaths of Office with a Month Before Election Day. Insider NJ. October 6, 2017. October 5, 2017.
16. Web site: Marino. Suzanne. Assemblyman Chris Brown makes his state Senate run official. ShoreNewsToday. February 20, 2017. January 29, 2017. February 23, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170223125253/http://www.shorenewstoday.com/mainland/news/assemblyman-chris-brown-makes-his-state-senate-run-official/article_d62206a4-c576-5436-a3a0-6f0755b6358b.html. dead.
17. https://stockton.edu/hughes-center/polling/documents/2017-1103-stockton-poll-shows-brown-slightly-ahead.pdf Stockton University
18. https://stockton.edu/hughes-center/polling/documents/2017-0929-ld2-2017-poll-1-wfs.pdf Stockton University
19. Web site: Salem GOP Chairman Grenier to Oppose Sweeney in LD3; Expects to Receive NJEA Backing. Insider NJ. April 9, 2017. April 3, 2017.
20. News: Global Strategies Poll: Sweeney Leads Grenier by 12 Points in Scorched Earth LD3. October 17, 2017.
21. News: Sweeney Holds 6-Point Lead Over Grenier, GOP Poll Finds. October 17, 2017.
22. Web site: Skoufalos. Matt. NJ Pen 2017 Primary Election Guide. NJ Pen. June 5, 2017.
23. Web site: Rooney. Matt. Burlco Senate Hopeful Fumes After Guadagno Says Recapturing the Legislature is a Bridge Too Far. Save Jersey. May 27, 2017. April 21, 2017.
24. Web site: Levinsky. David. Christie nominates 7th District Senate candidate to become workers compensation judge. Burlington County Times. August 17, 2017. June 13, 2017. September 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170929101642/http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/local/christie-nominates-th-district-senate-candidate-to-become-workers-compensation/article_ec474ad6-5094-11e7-8c4a-c366a2472929.html. dead.
25. Web site: Pizarro. Max. Singleton Plans to Run for Allen's Senate Seat in LD7. Observer. April 6, 2017. January 31, 2017.
26. Web site: Levinsky. David. Herb Conaway to seek re-election to Assembly, clears Senate path for Troy Singleton. Burlington County Times. April 9, 2017. March 20, 2017. March 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170320230824/http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/local/election/herb-conaway-to-seek-re-election-to-assembly-clears-senate/article_448d8360-0d86-11e7-a3cf-fbded8fc65e4.html. dead.
27. Web site: Levinsky. David. Mount Laurel Democrat Murphy announces bid for 7th District Assembly seat. Burlington County Times. April 9, 2017. February 10, 2017. May 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170517082931/http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/local/election/mount-laurel-democrat-murphy-announces-bid-for-th-district-assembly/article_9392075c-efd0-11e6-8960-1fdf7875fa95.html. dead.
28. Web site: 2017 VOTER GUIDE: Who's who in the 3rd & 9th District races?. The Press of Atlantic City. November 7, 2017. October 6, 2017.
29. Web site: Ebenau. Vin. Shore State Senate Candidate explains her plan for the 10th Legislative District. WOBM-FM. August 17, 2017. July 24, 2017.
30. Web site: Cervenka. Susanne. Dem chairman to challenge Sen. Beck in District 11. Asbury Park Press. April 9, 2017. January 2, 2017.
31. http://observer.com/2017/11/vin-gopal-has-1-point-lead-over-jen-beck-democratic-poll-says/ Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (D)
32. https://www.insidernj.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/NJ-LD-11-Senate-Public-Release-Draft-2.pdf Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (D)
33. Web site: Cervenka. Susanne. Monmouth Elections 2017: Incumbents face primary challengers. Asbury Park Press. April 9, 2017. March 6, 2017.
34. Web site: Sheehan. Liz. Democrats Tap Their Candidates. The Two River Times. April 9, 2017. April 3, 2017.
35. Web site: Pizarro. Max. LD12 Flashpoint: 'Coach Kev' Tries to Make a Statement with Independent Senate Candidacy. Insider NJ. July 21, 2017. July 18, 2017.
36. Web site: Cervenka. Susanne. Amy Handlin running for Joe Kyrillos' D13 Senate seat. Asbury Park Press. February 20, 2017. December 9, 2016.
37. Web site: Kurson. Ken. BREAKING: Amy Handlin Dropping Bid to Replace Kyrillos in NJ State Senate. Observer. April 9, 2017. March 2, 2017.
38. Web site: Byrnes to Run for Senate in LD13. Insider NJ. April 9, 2017. March 2, 2017.
39. Web site: Burton. John. Undeterred by Losses, Leinsdorf Challenges Byrnes in Democratic Senate Primary. The Two River Times. June 5, 2017. May 21, 2017.
40. Web site: An All-Hamilton GOP Primary for the LD14 Senate Seat. Insider NJ. April 9, 2017. April 3, 2017.
41. Web site: Abdur-Rahman. Sulaiman. GOP Hamilton councilwoman challenges Sen. Greenstein in 2017 NJ Senate race. The Trentonian. April 9, 2017. March 7, 2017.
42. Web site: Hirsch. Rod. Hillsborough Attorney Laurie Poppe to Run for State Senate Against Kip Bateman. TAPinto. April 9, 2017. March 6, 2017.
43. Web site: Zenon Christodoulou Looks to Take Out Kip Bateman in NJ's Hotly Competitive 16th LD. Observer. April 9, 2017. February 28, 2017.
44. Web site: Curran. Philip Sean. Democratic challenger drops out of 16th District race, replaced by Hillsborough lawyer. centraljersey.com. April 9, 2017. March 6, 2017. April 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170404033838/http://www.centraljersey.com/news/democratic-challenger-drops-out-of-th-district-race-replaced-by/article_95b93576-02a1-11e7-901d-fb175af4b22c.html. dead.
45. Web site: Curran. Philip Sean. CENTRAL JERSEY: Early maneuvering in the 16th legislative district could prove interesting. centraljersey.com. April 17, 2017. January 3, 2017.
46. News: Gaburo Pushes Back Hard Against LD16 Poll that Sees Bateman Embroiled - Insider NJ. 2017-09-09. Insider NJ. 2017-09-12. en-US.
47. Web site: Aregood. JT. Bob Smith Faces Primary Challenge from the Left. Observer. April 17, 2017. April 17, 2017.
48. Web site: Aregood. JT. Republican Hopeful Kipnis to Kick Off State Senate Campaign. Observer. April 9, 2017. December 7, 2016.
49. Web site: Berzok. Maureen. East Brunswick Follows State Trend: Murphy vs. Guadagno for Governor of NJ. TAPinto. July 9, 2017. June 6, 2017.
50. Web site: AMENDED CERTIFICATION. Secretary of State of New Jersey. September 16, 2017. September 14, 2017. September 16, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170916140235/http://nj.gov/state/elections/2017-results/2017-0914-amended-certification-19th-leg-dis-rittenhouse.pdf. dead.
51. Web site: Johnson. Brent. Livio. Susan K.. Ex-lawmaker seeks a comeback bid, this time in N.J. Senate. NJ.com. April 9, 2017. January 8, 2017.
52. Web site: Aregood. JT. Forgoing County Line, NJ State Senate Hopeful Joins Johnson Slate. Observer. April 9, 2017. April 4, 2017.
53. Web site: Noveck. Jocelyn. State Elections See Infusion of First-Time Women Candidates. AP. July 9, 2017. June 6, 2017.
54. Web site: Danzis. David. A late challenger enters GOP primary. New Jersey Herald. April 9, 2017. April 3, 2017. April 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170410213940/http://www.njherald.com/20170403/a-late-challenger-enters-gop-primary. dead.
55. News: 2017-official-primary-candidates-state-senate-0602.pdf. Secretary of State of New Jersey. 2018-12-08. en-US.
56. News: Phoebus to challenge Oroho for state senate. njherald.com. 2018-12-08. en-US. March 29, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190329225038/https://www.njherald.com/20170219/phoebus--to-challenge-oroho-for-state-senate#//. dead.
57. News: N.J. lawmaker ends her GOP primary challenge to former ally. nj.com. 2018-12-08. en-US.
58. Web site: Danzis. David. Phoebus to challenge Oroho for state Senate. New Jersey Herald. February 20, 2017. February 19, 2017. February 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170219160025/http://www.njherald.com/20170219/phoebus--to-challenge-oroho-for-state-senate. dead.
59. Web site: Jennings. Rob. N.J. lawmaker ends her GOP primary challenge to former ally. NJ.com. April 6, 2017. March 28, 2017.
60. Web site: Danzis. David. Sparta woman to run for state Senate as Democrat. New Jersey Herald. April 9, 2017. February 28, 2017. April 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170410213938/http://www.njherald.com/20170228/sparta-woman-to-run-for-state-senate-as-democrat. dead.
61. News: Democrat Hamilton challenging Oroho for state senate. njherald.com. 2018-12-08. en-US. 2018-12-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124119/https://www.njherald.com/20171022/spartas-hamilton-challenging-oroho-for-senate. dead.
62. Web site: Westhoven. William. Morris Dems vote to back Murphy. Daily Record. April 9, 2017. March 22, 2017.
63. Web site: Mastrangelo Bows out of LD26 Senate Primary Against Pennacchio. Insider NJ. April 17, 2017. April 3, 2017.
64. Web site: Council races kick off in Caldwell, Roseland. The Progress. April 17, 2017. April 3, 2017.
65. Web site: LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 29. NJ Spotlight. November 7, 2017. October 9, 2017.
66. Web site: MCKNIGHT LAUNCHES BID FOR SENATE ?? CAMPAIGN SIGNS EMERGE. Hudson County Chronicles. April 9, 2017. February 20, 2017.
67. Web site: Heinis. John. Sources: Cunningham, McKnight, Chiaravalloti to run on HCDO line in LD-31. Hudson County View. April 9, 2017. March 15, 2017.
68. Web site: A Democratic Primary Challenger Steps Forward in LD35. Insider NJ. April 17, 2017. April 3, 2017.
69. Web site: LD35 Flashpoint: Challenger Younes Calls Senator Pou 'the Hillary Clinton of Paterson'. Insider NJ. April 17, 2017. April 6, 2017.
70. Web site: DeVencentis. Philip. New Milford councilwoman announces state Senate bid. NorthJersey.com. April 9, 2017. March 3, 2017.
71. Web site: DeMarco. Jerry. Fair Lawn Mayor Cosgrove: Won't Seek State Office In 2017. Daily Voice. July 9, 2017. December 1, 2016.
72. Web site: Friedman. Matt. Legislative primaries so far dominated by Republicans. PoliticoNew Jersey. April 9, 2017. February 22, 2017.
73. Web site: McCann Forfeit in NJ-39 Is Great News for Cardinale. Observer. April 9, 2017. March 21, 2017.
74. Web site: Janoski. Steve. Three women make long shot bid to flip NJ39 from red to blue. NorthJersey.com. June 5, 2017. May 30, 2017.
75. Web site: Livio. Susan K.. Longtime N.J. senator says he won't run again in 2017. NJ.com. February 20, 2017. January 15, 2016.
76. Web site: Johnson. Brent. Christie ally confirmed to join Port Authority board. NJ.com. April 17, 2017. March 14, 2017.
77. Web site: Cowen. Richard. Passaic County Democratic chairman eyes county clerk's job. NorthJersey.com. July 21, 2017. July 6, 2017.
78. Web site: Candido. P.J.. Cedar Grove resident runs to replace Senator O'Toole in 2017 primary. Verona-Cedar Grove Times. April 9, 2017. February 1, 2016. April 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170410213856/http://archive.northjersey.com/news/nj-state-news/elections-in-nj/cedar-grove-resident-runs-to-replace-senator-o-toole-in-2017-primary-1.1503389. dead.
79. Web site: Hubbard. Daniel. Wyckoff Mayor, County Clerk Announce Run For District 40 Legislative Seats. Patch. April 10, 2017. April 26, 2016.
80. Web site: Cowen. Richard. Janoski. Steve. DiGaetano announces bid for 40th District state Senate seat. NorthJersey.com. April 9, 2017. February 7, 2017.
81. Web site: Cowen. Richard. Corrado tapped to replace O'Toole in state Senate. NorthJersey.com. October 6, 2017. July 26, 2017.
82. Web site: Kidd Ferguson. Lauren. Levine. Cecilia. Corrado Wins Primary, Will Face Wyckoff's Duch In Dist. 40 Run. Daily Voice. June 7, 2017. June 6, 2017.
83. http://observer.com/2017/11/democratic-poll-shows-close-assembly-race-in-unlikely-district/ Public Policy Polling (D)