Senate President Sweeney Trails Challenger: Unofficial Results

WEST DEPTFORD, NJ — As the results of New Jersey’s gubernatorial election remains up in the air, another prominent New Jersey Democrat looks to have lost his seat in a close race in South Jersey.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Republican challenger Edward Durr held a lead over State Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3), according to unofficial results from The Associated Press.

Sweeney’s running mates in the General Assembly also trail their Republican challengers as of Wednesday morning, according to the unofficial results.

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With all of the 3rd Legislative District’s 159 precincts reporting, Durr leads Sweeney by a count of 32,497 votes to 30,268. Results remain unofficial, pending certification. It may take several days to count the vote-by-mail ballots.

Democratic incumbents Adam Taliaferro and John Burzichelli trail Republican challengers Beth Sawyer and Bethanne McCarthy Patrick in the General Assembly race. Vote totals in that race can be found below.

Vote totals remain unofficial pending certification. It may take several days to count vote-by-mail ballots.

• Beth Sawyer: 32,646
• Bethanne McCarthy Patrick: 32,484
• John Burzichelli: 29,754
• Adam Taliaferro: 29,298

While they lost some seats on Election Night, the Democrats may hold on to their majority in the State Senate. However, if Sweeney were to lose his seat, the State Senate would immediately be in search of a new president for the first time since 2010.

On Wednesday morning, the Senate Majority canceled the Leadership Caucus that had been scheduled for Thursday. The Senate Democratic Leadership uses the caucus to select its Leadership Team for the next legislative session, will include all Democrats who will be sworn into office for a two-year term in January.

“Due to the closeness of several State Senate elections, the Leadership Caucus scheduled for tomorrow will be delayed,” Sweeney said. “The Caucus will be rescheduled once the result of every Senate election is determined.”

Sweeney has served in the State Senate since 2002. The Third Legislative District includes the towns of Alloway, Bridgeton, Carneys Point, Clayton, Deerfield, East Greenwich, Elk, Elmer, Elsinboro, Franklin (Gloucester), Glassboro, Greenwich (Gloucester), Logan, Lower Alloways Creek, Mannington, National Park, Newfield, Oldmans, Paulsboro, Penns Grove, Pennsville, Pilesgrove, Pittsgrove, Quinton, Salem, South Harrison, Swedesboro, Upper Deerfield, Upper Pittsgrove, West Deptford, Woodbury Heights, Woodstown and Woolwich, in Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem counties.

Durr is a conservative truck driver who spent just $153 on his campaign, according to the New Jersey Globe. Sweeney is the longest serving State Senate leader in New Jersey history.

Meanwhile, the race for New Jersey Governor between Democratic incumbent Phil Murphy and Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli remained too close to call Wednesday morning. Read more here: Ciattarelli And Murphy Neck And Neck: Gov Race Too Close To Call