NJ-12 Primary 2024: Watson Coleman, Mayfield Win Primary, AP Says

(Last updated 9:31 p.m.)

PRINCETON, NJ — The polls have closed statewide, and voters across NJ-12 have cast their ballots.

According to unofficial results, Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) and Darius Mayfield have won their respective races and will be facing off in November.

Democrats

The Democratic race for NJ-12 was between incumbent Bonnie Waston Coleman and newcomer Daniel Dart.

Incumbent Watson Coleman has been declared the winner of the 2024 unofficial Primary Election votes for New Jersey's 12th Congressional district, according to the AP. The Congresswoman won with 90.2 percent of votes.

Here are the unofficial results:

• Bonnie Watson Coleman: 7,084
• Daniel Dart: 762

A former local school board member, Dart announced his run for Congress in January, challenging Watson Coleman who was reelected in 2022 with 63 percent votes.

A native of Boston, Dart has lived in Princeton for the past 22 years. He earned a bachelor's degree from The Carroll School of Management at Boston College in 1978. He worked as a financial executive and has been affiliated with the Corner House Foundation and The Watershed Institute.

Watson Coleman was first elected in 2014 to replace retiring incumbent Rush Holt Jr. (D). That year, she defeated four opponents in the Democratic primary, receiving 43.0 percent of the votes. She won the November general election with 61 percent of the vote.

Before being elected to Congress, Coleman was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, representing District 15 since 1997.

She served as the Assembly majority leader from 2006 to 2009 and was the majority conference leader in 2014.

Currently, Watson Coleman is assigned to the House Committee on Appropriations; Labor Health and Human Services, Education and Transporation, Housing and Urban Development.

Republicans

Thomas Jones Jr and Darius Mayfield are running in the Republican primary for NJ-12.

Mayfield was declared the winner of the 2024 unofficial Primary Election votes for New Jersey's 12th Congressional district, according to the AP. The candidate won with 85.3 percent of votes.

Patch will update election tallies as they're reported. All results remain unofficial until certified.

Here are the unofficial results:

• Thomas Jones Jr: 1,553
• Darius Mayfield: 8,976

Jones is a member of the Jersey City Fire Department for over 30 years. "I firmly believe in upholding the principles of the Constitution, which serves as the foundation of our nation," Jones said on May 5.

"At this critical juncture, our Republican form of government faces significant threats. To safeguard our nation’s interests and values, it’s imperative that we maintain control the House of Representatives and strengthen our margin while also reclaiming the Presidency. The House holds the power of the purse and conducts vital hearings that shape our policies and future."

Born in New Brunswick, Mayfield describes himself as a businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and activist. His campaign motto is “Not Black, Not white, American.”

He previously challenged Watson Coleman in the 2022 election, with the Congresswoman winning her fifth term.