2009 New Jersey elections explained

A general election was held in the U.S. state of New Jersey on November 3, 2009. Primary elections were held on June 2. Most state positions were up in this election cycle, which includes all 80 seats in the New Jersey General Assembly, as well as Governor and Lieutenant Governor (which was up for the first time). In addition to the State Legislative elections, numerous county offices and freeholders in addition to municipal offices were up for election. There was one statewide ballot question. Some counties and municipalities may have had local ballot questions as well. Non-partisan local elections, some school board elections, and some fire district elections also happened throughout the year.

Governor

See main article: 2009 New Jersey gubernatorial election.

Election Name:2009 New Jersey gubernatorial election
Country:New Jersey
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2005 New Jersey gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2005
Next Election:2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election
Next Year:2013
Election Date:November 3, 2009
Turnout:46.9%[1]
Nominee1:Chris Christie
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:1,174,445
Percentage1:48.5%
Running Mate1:Kim Guadagno
Nominee2:Jon Corzine
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:1,087,731
Percentage2:44.9%
Running Mate2:Loretta Weinberg
Nominee3:Chris Daggett
Party3:Independent (United States)
Popular Vote3:139,579
Percentage3:5.8%
Running Mate3:Frank Esposito
Governor
Before Election:Jon Corzine
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Chris Christie
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

Candidates

Major candidates

The following three candidates all qualified to appear, and did appear, in the debates.

Other candidates

Nine other candidates qualified to appear on the ballot as independents or third-party nominees but did not raise enough money to qualify for the debates. These include Libertarian Kenneth Kaplan, the Socialist Party USA's Greg Pason, and the following independents: Jason Cullen, Joshua Leinsdorf, Alvin Lindsay, David R. Meiswinkle, Kostas Petris, Gary T. Steele, and Gary Stein. At least five others, including popular New Jersey comedian Uncle Floyd, announced that they would run write-in campaigns.

Republican primary

Former U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie had long been considered the front-runner for the Republican nomination. He was heavily favored by the party establishment and had won the endorsement and county line of all county GOP organizations.[5] Christie's chief opponent in the primary was former Bogota mayor Steve Lonegan, known for his very right-wing positions and vocal opposition to the Corzine administration; another staunch conservative, General Assemblyman Rick Merkt was also on the ballot.David Brown, Christian Keller, and Franklin Township mayor Brian D. Levine also filed to run in the Republican primary, but their petitions were challenged by Lonegan and they were disqualified from the ballot when administrative judges ruled that their nominating petitions failed to meet the threshold of 1,000 valid signatures.[6] Upon leaving the race, Brown and Levine endorsed Christie.[7] [8]

Christie and Lonegan attacked each other relentlessly throughout the primary campaign through mailers and robocalls, with each seeking to undermine the other by drawing the public's attention to scandals involving the other. Lonegan proposed ending the state's progressive income tax system and replacing it with a 2.9% flat tax for all New Jerseyans. Christie strongly opposed this proposal, arguing that Lonegan's proposal would amount to a tax increase for most New Jerseyans. Christie instead proposed cutting taxes "across the board," although he refused to say by how much.[9] There were two televised debates, which excluded Merkt, and two radio debates, which included him. Ultimately, Christie was able to win the primary with 55% of the vote to Lonegan's 42% and Merkt's 3%.

The following Republican Primary candidates were removed from the ballot:

Democratic primary

Although polls indicated his vulnerability in the general election, Governor Jon S. Corzine was heavily favored to win the Democratic primary over his three little-known challengers. The only one of those to have held elected office, former Glen Ridge mayor Carl Bergmanson, was running on a platform of fiscal discipline, social liberalism, and government reform; he had received the support of the Citizens Against Tolls website. Roger Bacon, Democrat of Phillipsburg, an unsuccessful candidate for the United States House of Representatives in New Jersey's 5th congressional district in 2008,[13] and Jeff Boss, Democrat of Guttenberg, an unsuccessful candidate for United States Senate in 2008,[14] also ran. In the primary, Corzine won renomination with 77% of the vote, while Bergmanson, his closest competitor, received about 9%.

General election

Since the primaries, polls consistently showed Christie leading Corzine, sometimes by double digits. The election became a three-way race on July 7, when independent candidate Christopher Daggett announced that he had raised enough money to qualify for public funds and to qualify for participation in the debates.[15] On July 20, Christie selected Kim Guadagno as his running mate.[16] On July 24, Corzine announced in an e-mail to his supporters that he had selected Loretta Weinberg as his running mate.[17] On July 27, Daggett announced that he had selected longtime Kean University professor and administrator Frank J. Esposito as his running mate.[18]

Although the economy and taxes have long been prominent issues in the campaign, the issue of ethics and anti-corruption efforts was thrust into the spotlight in July when several public officials were arrested on corruption charges in Operation Bid Rig. One of Corzine's main lines of attack has involved Christie's ties to the unpopular former President of the United States George W. Bush, who appointed Christie to the U.S. Attorney's office in 2001. In August 2009, Bush political strategist Karl Rove revealed that he had held conversations with Christie about a potential gubernatorial run during Christie's time as U.S. Attorney. U.S. Attorneys are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities by the Hatch Act of 1939.[19] Corzine quickly incorporated this into his advertisements targeting Christie.[20] Nonetheless, Christie defeated Corzine by 4 points.

Lieutenant governor

On November 8, 2005, voters passed a Constitutional amendment to the New Jersey State Constitution which created the office of Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, the first of whom is to be elected in the 2009 general election and to take office in January 2010. Until the creation of the office, governors who died in office or stepped down were succeeded by the President of the New Jersey Senate. This has happened twice in recent years, with the resignations of Christine Todd Whitman in 2001 and James McGreevey in 2004. Concerns over the separation of powers, as Acting Governors continued to serve concurrently in the Senate, and the fact that Acting Governors were not elected by the people to succeed the Governor led to the Constitutional amendment that created the new office. All 12 candidates for governor appearing on the ballot selected their running mates by the June 27, 2009 deadline.[21]

Chris Christie, the Republican nominee for governor, selected Monmouth Beach's Kim Guadagno, the sheriff of Monmouth County, as his running mate. Others mentioned for the post had included New Jersey Senators Diane Allen and Jennifer Beck, as well as Bergen County Clerk Kathleen Donovan.

Incumbent Governor Jon Corzine, the Democratic nominee, selected Teaneck's Loretta Weinberg, a New Jersey Senator and former New Jersey General Assemblywoman, as his running mate. Other mentioned for the post had included New Jersey Senator Barbara Buono, New Jersey General Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, and wealthy businessman Randal Pinkett.

Chris Daggett, an independent candidate who has qualified for matching funds, selected Ocean Township's Frank J. Esposito, a longtime professor and administrator at Kean University who served as an advisor to the Commissioner of Education in the Thomas Kean administration, as his running mate. Others mentioned for the post had included Edison Mayor Jun Choi, Atlantic County freeholder Alisa Cooper, and Passaic County freeholder James Gallagher.

Legislature

Senate Special elections

General Assembly elections

See main article: 2009 New Jersey General Assembly elections.

Election Name:2009 New Jersey General Assembly election
Country:New Jersey
Type:legislative
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2007 New Jersey General Assembly election
Previous Year:2007
Next Election:2011 New Jersey General Assembly election
Next Year:2011
Seats For Election:All 80 seats to the General Assembly
Leader1:Joseph J. Roberts
(retired)
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Leader Since1:January 10, 2006
Leaders Seat1:5th (Bellmawr)
Last Election1:48
Seats1:47
Seat Change1: 1
Popular Vote1:2,001,772
Percentage1:47.6%
Leader2:Alex DeCroce
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Leader Since2:January 12, 2004
Leaders Seat2:26th (Parsippany–Troy Hills)
Last Election2:32
Seats2:33
Seat Change2: 1
Popular Vote2:2,181,345
Percentage2:51.9%
Map Size:400px
Speaker
Before Election:Joseph J. Roberts
After Election:Sheila Y. Oliver
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2009 New Jersey General Assembly elections were held on November 3, 2009, for all 80 seats in the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature. The election coincided with a gubernatorial election where Democratic incumbent Governor Jon Corzine was defeated by Republican challenger Chris Christie. Democrats held a 48-32 majority in the lower house prior to the election. The members of the New Jersey Legislature are chosen from 40 electoral districts. Each district elects one State Senator and two State Assembly members. New Jersey uses coterminous legislative districts for both its State Senate and General Assembly.

The Democratic Party won a 47-33 majority while losing the popular vote. Republicans were able to flip one seat in the 4th district.

Overall results

Summary of the November 3, 2009 New Jersey General Assembly election results:

4733
DemocraticRepublican
PartiesCandidatesSeatsPopular Vote
align=center 2007align=center 2009align=center +/-align=center Strengthalign=center Votealign=center %align=center Change
Democraticalign=right 79align=right 48align=right 47align=right 1align=right 59%align=right 2,001,772align=right 47.6%align=right 0.0%
Republicanalign=right 78align=right 32align=right 33align=right 1align=right 41%align=right 2,181,345align=right 51.9%align=right 0.0%
Greenalign=right 1align=right 0align=right 0align=right align=right 0%align=right 1,635align=right 0.2%align=right 0.0%
Libertarianalign=right 2align=right 0align=right 0align=right align=right 0%align=right 1,823align=right 0.3%align=right 0.0%
align=center colspan="2" Totalalign=center 160align=center 80align=center 80align=center 0align=center 100.0%align=center 4,186,575align=center 100.0%align=center -

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Official numbers show record low voter turnout for Christie-Buono race. December 3, 2013. nj.com. April 3, 2018.
  2. News: Christie: I can repair New Jersey. The Star-Ledger. January 9, 2009. January 10, 2009.
  3. Web site: Jon Corzine: Fighting for what matters. Help Re-Elect Governor Jon Corzine this November! . Corzineforgovernor.com . March 16, 2011 . November 7, 2005 . https://web.archive.org/web/20051107011110/http://www.corzineforgovernor.com/ . dead .
  4. Web site: Former EPA Administrator Chris Daggett runs for Governor of New Jersey as an Independent . March 4, 2009 . Independent Political Report . March 16, 2011.
  5. http://www.christiefornj.com/newsroom/2009/04/08/christie-wins-hunterdon-county-gop-convention-sweeps-all-county-endorsements-awarded/{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  6. Web site: Mel Evans/AP . Judges rule 3 GOP candidates for N.J. governor can't make the ballot . April 17, 2009 . NJ.com . March 16, 2011.
  7. http://www.christiefornj.com/newsroom/2009/04/27/christie-weekly-update---april-27-2009/{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  8. News: Former GOP rival endorses Chistie for governor. Associated Press. May 7, 2009. May 17, 2009.
  9. News: GOP candidates Christie, Lonegan push N.J. income tax plans . The Star-Ledger. May 13, 2009. July 30, 2009.
  10. http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20081124/NEWS/811240315
  11. Web site: Keller for Governor . April 19, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090606011303/http://www.kellerforgovernor.com/ . June 6, 2009 . dead . mdy-all .
  12. Web site: Underdog Levine launches gubernatorial bid, promises 'no political hack' appointments. PolitickerNJ.com. January 28, 2009. January 31, 2009. Max. Pizarro. https://web.archive.org/web/20090221102412/http://www.politickernj.com/max/26957/levine-launches-governors-bid-and-promises-no-political-hack-appointments. February 21, 2009. dead. mdy-all.
  13. http://www.northjersey.com/news/njpolitics/42568332.html
  14. News: Guttenberg's Jeff Boss to run for governor. The Jersey Journal. December 3, 2008. December 20, 2008.
  15. News: Chris Daggett, independent N.J. Gov candidate, qualifies for public funds . . July 7, 2009. July 27, 2009.
  16. News: Chris Christie introduces Monmouth Sheriff Kim Guadagno as GOP lieutenant gov. candidate . The Star-Ledger. July 20, 2009. July 27, 2009.
  17. Web site: Corzine informs supporters of Weinberg pick . Politicker NJ . July 24, 2009 . March 16, 2011.
  18. Web site: Daggett picks Kean University administrator for LG . Politicker NJ . July 27, 2009 . March 16, 2011.
  19. News: Karl Rove and Chris Christie discussed N.J. governor run while serving as U.S. Attorney . The Star-Ledger. August 12, 2009. August 14, 2009.
  20. http://www.politickernj.com/editor/32239/christie-rove-and-us-attorneys-office
  21. http://www.njelections.org/09results/09general/09-unofficial-general-election-gov-lt-gov-candidates.pdf
  22. Web site: Christie leads Corzine in four Democratic districts, according to GOP poll . Politicker NJ . August 19, 2009 . March 16, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110704025449/http://www.politickernj.com/editor/32425/christie-leads-corzine-four-democratic-leaning-districts-according-gop-poll . July 4, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
  23. Web site: PolitickerNJ.com's Battleground 2009 . Politicker NJ . August 25, 2009 . March 16, 2011.
  24. Web site: Roberts, announcing retirement, calls possible Senate run 'highly unlikely' . Politicker NJ . September 2, 2009 . March 16, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120311040800/http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/32859/roberts-announcing-retirement-downplays-possibility-senate-run . March 11, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
  25. Web site: Camden Democrats nominate Norcross for Assembly . Politicker NJ . September 12, 2009 . March 16, 2011.
  26. Web site: Candidate Returns for General Assembly 2009 . November 1, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160707152838/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-official-gen-elect-gen-assembly-tallies-120109.pdf . July 7, 2016 . dead .
  27. Web site: Gove replaces Van Pelt in LD 9 . Politicker NJ . August 13, 2009 . March 16, 2011.
  28. Web site: Corzine swoops into Monmouth and assures local leaders he has heard them on COAH . Politicker NJ . April 8, 2009 . March 16, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120311040850/http://www.politickernj.com/max/28865/corzine-swoops-monmoth-and-assures-local-leaders-he-has-heard-them-coah . March 11, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
  29. Web site: GOP Assembly slate wins in 12th District . NJ.com . November 4, 2009 . March 16, 2011.
  30. Web site: O'Leary steps aside in LD 19, calls Spicuzzo to give party chair the news . Politicker NJ . August 17, 2009 . March 16, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120311040422/http://www.politickernj.com/max/32355/oleary-steps-aside-ld-19 . March 11, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
  31. Web site: Coughlin wins, will run with Wisniewski in the 19th District . Politicker NJ . September 2, 2009 . March 16, 2011.
  32. Web site: Coughlin: 'I don't think Judge Rodriguez knows the district as well as I do' . Politicker NJ . August 29, 2009 . March 16, 2011.