Democratic incumbents ruled the night in New Jersey

All eyes were on the 38th district race in Bergen County where Senator Bob Gordon ultimately defeated GOP candidate John Driscoll.

Recent redistricting put the solidly democratic district on unsteady ground, but Gordon said voters pulled the democratic lever anyway. “We were campaigning as people who would stand up for the middle classand not protect the millionaires,” he said, “and I think that was a message that resonated with the public.”In Atlantic County, Democrat John Whelan won a tough, expensive fight against Republican Assemblyman Vince Polistina.

Former Governor Dick Codey and democratic running mates also swept Essex County.

Former Republican State Chairman Kevin O’Toole says despite the Democratic sweep, Governor Chris Christie’s recent national star power is helping the GOP and could help them turn things around in 2013.

“We tracked up some real interest and raised a lot of money, both in-state and out-of-state,” he said. “So, we couldn’t have a better leader for our party.”