Democrats Retain Their Seats in District 28

It was a good night for the Democratic incumbents of state Legislative District 28, all of whom handily won re-election Tuesday.

State Sen. Ron Rice and Assembly members Ralph Caputo and Cleopatra Tucker crushed Republican challengers James Boydston, Peter Manning and Frank Contella by margins of more than 3 to 1 each, according to unofficial results posted by the Essex County Clerk’s Office Tuesday night.

The three Democrats represent a heavily Democratic district many of whose voters went for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono, who was soundly defeated by popular Republican incumbent Chris Christie. The district consists of all or parts of Newark, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Irvington and Nutley.  

Rice, 68, has been a member of the state Legislature for 27 years and currently serves on the public schools, urban affairs and health and human services committees. The veteran of the US Marine Corps received more than 25,000 votes to challenger Contella’s 8,468.

Caputo, 73, is another veteran lawmaker who has served in a number of elected posts through a long political career, including as Essex County freeholder. A member of the Legislature since 2008, he also previously served in the Statehouse from 1968 to 1972. A member of a number of committees including judiciary and education, Caputo championed legislation that would allow lottery terminals at the Meadowlands racetrack.

Tucker, the director of a nonprofit benefitting Newark youth, has sponsored legislation requiring mortgage lenders to maintain vacant properties, of which there are several in the urban areas of the district. The 70-year-old lawmaker also supported a law prohibiting credit checks as a condition of employment.