Incumbents Victorious in New Jersey’s House Primary

TRENTON (AP) —
A man leaves a polling site Tuesday after voting in Hoboken, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
A man leaves a polling site Tuesday after voting in Hoboken, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New Jersey’s incumbent U.S. representatives had a winning night in New Jersey, including Rep. Donald Norcross who fended off a political newcomer in southern New Jersey’s 1st District.

Norcross, whose brother George Norcross is among the most powerful political figures in New Jersey, loaned his own campaign cash against the challenge from 25-year-old former IBM consultant Alex Law.

All seven of the state’s 12 congressional district incumbents that faced a challenge were victorious. Three other races were also contested.

Norcross had the party’s support, including a recent endorsement from President Barack Obama, but the contest had gotten personal, with both candidates using family members to attack each other. He will face Republican Bob Patterson, who was unopposed, on Nov. 8.

Incumbent Reps. Rodney Frelinghuysen, Scott Garrett, Leonard Lance and Chris Smith beat their opponents. Smith has represented the Lakewood District since 1981 and beat Bruce MacDonald, of Yardville, who ran under a slogan of “Work. Citizen. Taxpayer. Choice. Gun. Execution.”

In the most closely watched race beyond the incumbents, Democrat Frederick LaVergne defeated Jim Keady in the Burlington and Ocean County-based 3rd District. He is a former insurance and mortgage broker who previously ran in the district but lost. Keady is the Waretown tavern owner whom Gov. Chris Christie told to “sit down and shut up” at an event marking the second anniversary of Superstorm Sandy in 2014.

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