Politics & Government

Election Results For NJ-29: Ruiz, Pintor Marin, Speight Are Winners

Teresa Ruiz, Maritza Mathews, Pablo Olivera (Senate). Eliana Pintor Marin, Shanique Speight, Noble Minton,​​​​ Orlando Mendez ​​(Assembly).

This article was updated at 11:17 p.m. on Nov. 7

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey voters cast ballots in races across the state on Tuesday, including contests for senate and assembly seats in the 29th District. Polling places closed at 8 p.m.

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In the Senate’s 29th District, incumbent M. Teresa Ruiz (Democrat) faced a challenge from Maritza Mathews (Republican) and Pablo Olivera (Labour Party) for a four-year term.

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With 85 percent of votes reported, Ruiz has been declared the winner. Here are the uncertified results as per the Associated Press and NJ Spotlight News (one open seat):

  • M. Teresa Ruiz – 7,320 votes (83.4%)
  • Maritza Mathews – 1,291 votes (14.7%)
  • Pablo Olivera – 165 votes (1.9%)

In the Assembly’s 29th District, incumbents Eliana Pintor Marin and Shanique Speight ran on the Democratic Party ticket. Noble Minton and Orlando Mendez were on the ballot for the Republican Party.

With 82 percent of votes reported, Pintor Marin and Speight have been declared as the winners. Here are the uncertified results as per the Associated Press and NJ Spotlight News (two open seats):

  • Eliana Pintor Marin – 7,052 votes (42.4%)
  • Shanique Speight – 6,981 votes (42.0%)
  • Noble Minton – 1,247 votes (7.5%)
  • Orlando Mendez – 1,347 votes (8.1%)

This is the first general election that is being held using the 2023 Legislative district map that was approved last year. The redistricting effort – done once every 10 years –shuffled some towns around, putting them in different districts and giving them new elected representatives in the Statehouse. Read More: NJ's Electoral Maps Will Be Redrawn (Here’s What That Means)

The 29th District now includes the municipalities of Newark in Essex County, and East Newark and Harrison in Hudson County.

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