NJ-16 Democrats Sweep State Senate, Assembly Races: Unofficial Result

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — In what was touted to be a close race, ended up favoring the Democrats as the swept the Senate and Assembly seats in NJ-16, according to unofficial results.

Michael Pappas was expected to make his big comeback but was thwarted by incumbent Sen. Andrew Zwicker, who led by a 12-point margin, according to the Associated Press.

With 97 percent of votes counted, Zwicker led with 31,747 votes (55.4 percent) to Pappas' 24,747 votes (43.2 percent), according to the AP. Libertarian Richard J. Byrne got 846 votes (1.5 percent).

Of the four candidates seeking two assembly seats, Democrats once again beat their Republican challengers, the AP said.

With 97 percent votes counted, Democrats Roy Freiman and newcomer Mitchelle Drulis got 31,294 and 30,793 votes respectively.

Their Republican challengers, Grace Zhang and Ross Traphagen, received 25,400 and 25,136 votes.

All results remain unofficial until certified by the Board of Elections.

Here's the latest tally (as per the Associated Press and NJ Spotlight News):

District 16 Senator

• Andrew Zwicker (D) 31,747
• Michael Pappas (R) 24,747
• Richard J. Byrne (Libertarian Party) 846

District 16 Assembly

• Roy Freiman (D) 31,294
• Mitchelle Drulis (D) 30,793
• Grace Zhang (R) 25,400
• Ross Traphagen (R) 25,136