Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill secured a decisive victory in Tuesday’s Gubernatorial Election, defeating Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli 56% to 43% (unofficial). Following the election, NJBA released the following statement:

NJBA congratulates Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill on her election and applauds her recognition that New Jersey must urgently confront its affordability crisis. The increased cost of living and the shortage of affordable housing options were top of mind for voters, and these issues are only going to grow more central to our political dialogue. We hope our elected officials heed this call for action and get to work immediately on plans to address our housing crisis so that our residents can begin to experience some relief and economic opportunity. NJ needs to reform the systemic issues that have resulted in our current predicament where crippling costs, home-rule and long development timetables stand in the way of our State achieving a healthy housing ecosystem. 

Democrats also picked up a significant number of seats in the General Assembly, flipping at least 4, giving them a veto proof majority in the lower chamber of 56 to 24. In the 21st district Democrats Andrew Macurdy and Vincent Kearney, unseated incumbent Republicans Michele Matsikoudis and Nancy Munoz, in the 25th district Democrat Marisa Sweeney unseated Christian Barranco and in the 8th district, which was previously split, Democrat Anthony Angelozzi defeated Republican Michael Torrissi. In district 2, 3, and 29 the results are too close to call as of this morning, but based on the current results, Democrats could pick up an additional seat.

Following the election, the Republican and Democratic caucuses met to discuss leadership positions for the new term. In the Senate, Senator Nicolas Scutari was re-elected to a third term as Senate President while the Republicans re-elected Senator Anthony Bucco as Republican Leader. In the Assembly, democrats re-elected Speaker Craig Coughlin who was already the longest serving Assembly Speaker in NJ history and Republicans re-elected Assemblyman John DeMaio as Minority Leader.