Dems fight for 2 contested N.J. seats in Congress

    Polls for New Jersey’s primary have opened.

    Two competitive races for House seats highlight an otherwise predictable election. Democrats in Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties will pick between incumbent Reps. Bill Pascrell and Steve Rothman. The loser will be out of a job because the state’s congressional delegation is shrinking by one member.

    Voters in Essex, Hudson and Union counties will decide whether to send Newark City Council President Donald Payne Jr. to Washington to assume his late father’s congressional seat. Fellow Newark Councilman Ron Rice, state Sen. Nia Gill and three others are competing for the seat.

    The winners in both House races are almost guaranteed November victories in the solidly Democratic districts. The outcome of presidential primaries isn’t in dispute.

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    Polls close at 8 p.m.

    WHYY’s Phil Gregory will bring us the results. In the meantime, check NJ Spotlight’s 2012 voter guide.

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