Election Overview: Legislative District 15

The following story was written by Patience Haggin and published by our partners at NJSpotlight.com.

A redrawn map hasn't changed the slate of Democratic incumbents in the 15th District. When Assemblyman Reed Gusciora found himself disqualified for his seat after his hometown of Princeton was redistricted out of the 15th, he picked up and moved to Trenton to run for his spot again.

That's probably a smart move in 15th, which is home to Trenton and large numbers of state workers. Gusciora and his two fellow Democrats all voted against last spring's overhaul of public benefits, a move that went down well in a district where outrage over the measure is strongest.

Incumbent Sen. Shirley Turner, of Lawrence Township, has been has been particularly outspoken against the overhaul. A career advisor at Rider University, she's held office since 1998, served as President Pro Tempore from 2004 to 2010, and won reelection in 2007 with 61 percent of the vote.

Her challenger is Republican Donald Cox, a financial advisor and former Ewing Township Councilman. Cox served on the council from 2006 to 2010.

Assembly incumbents Gusciora and Bonnie Watson, of Ewing, are also facing Republican challengers: Peter Yull, of Trenton, a retired credit manager for the state Department of Transportation, and Kathy Kilcommons, of Lawrence, who works at a law firm.

Continue reading this story in NJ Spotlight.

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