Little competition in N.J. legislative races despite Nov. 5 gubernatorial contest

Only a few of the New Jersey legislative races in Tuesday’s primary election have more than one candidate. Analysts expect most of the unopposed candidates in the primary will win re-election in November.

Montclair State political science professor Brigid Harrison anticipates there will be only four Senate races where incumbents face significant challenges in November’s general election.

“In each of these districts, there are credible challengers,” she said. “And those challengers become even more credible because Chris Christie is at the top of the ticket. There is hope that with his strong lead in the polls right now that he will have significant coattails.”

Seeking a second term, Christie will square off against state Sen. Barbara Buono, the expected Democratic nominee, in November.

Analysts say Senate President Steve Sweeney and fellow incumbent Democrats Jim Whelan and Jeff Van Drew face challenges from Republicans who could benefit if Christie wins by a landslide.

The other November Senate race that’s considered competitive is in the 14th District where incumbent Democrat Linda Greenstein is being challenged by former Republican Sen. Peter Inverso.