2024 NJ General Election Roundup

Isaac Shadpour

During the 2024 general election, residents of Lakewood and nearby towns turned out in record numbers at early-voting stations. Statewide, an unprecedented 1.2 million people voted in person during the nine-day early voting period. Around 763,000 people opted to vote by mail, bringing the total of early voters (both in-person and by mail) to nearly 2 million—representing 29% of New Jersey’s 6.7 million registered voters.

There were, however, isolated reports of voting irregularities. During early voting on Sunday at a booth in Lakewood, one voter reported that after selecting candidates, the paper displayed only their Township Committee choice and omitted their presidential selection.

In unrelated cases, two New Jersey women have been charged with voter fraud for allegedly casting ballots in the names of deceased relatives.

Lakewood Committee

In Lakewood Township, both Republican deputy mayor Menashe Miller and Democrat Meir Lichtenstein won reelection. Miller garnered 31,158 votes (42%), while Lichtenstein received 24,527 votes (33%). Their opponents, Republican Moshe Raitzik and Democrat Salvatore Frascino, obtained 12,882 votes (17.5%) and 4,722 votes (6%), respectively.

Lakewood Board of Education

For the Lakewood Board of Education, the winning candidates were Moshe Bender with 24% of the vote, Heriberto Rodriguez with 21%, and Shraga Gold with 20%, defeating Avrohom Schubert (10.7%), Eli Eisenbach (11%), and Mordechai Lang (10.7%).

Ocean County Board of Commissioners

Republican candidates Robert Arace, mayor of Manchester, and Jennifer Bacchione, Ocean County GOP’s executive director, won seats on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, defeating Democratic opponents Karen Sugden and Regina Discenza.

Jackson Council

The significance of every vote was underscored in Jackson’s Council race, where Mordy Burnstein clinched a narrow victory with 14.33% of the vote (9,180 votes), edging out Amanda Trombetta by a slim 0.18% margin (114 votes). Trombetta received 14.15% of the vote (9,066). Burnstein’s running mates, Nino Borrelli and Giuseppe Palmeri, also secured wins, with 17.2% and 17.05% of the vote, respectively. A very strong turnout from Jackson’s Jewish community was credited as a deciding factor in the race.

Toms River Council

In Toms River’s Ward 2 Council race, Republican William Byrne emerged victorious with 63% of the vote over Democrat Zach Dougherty. This seat became vacant when Dan Rodrick assumed the role of mayor.

Howell Mayor and Council

Republican John Leggio won Howell’s mayoral race with 19,079 votes, defeating Democrat John Hughes, who received 8,905 votes. In the Council race, Evelyn O’Donnell secured 14,522 votes, beating Republican Rebecca Scott (8,636 votes) and Betty Velez Gimbel (4,340 votes) to win the sole council seat.

US Senate

New Jersey’s US Senate race saw Democratic congressman Andy Kim win with approximately 53% of the vote, overcoming Republican Curtis Bashaw, a hotel entrepreneur, who garnered about 44%.

7th Congressional District

The 7th Congressional District, New Jersey’s most competitive, saw incumbent Rep. Tom Kean Jr. retain his seat with 52.5% of the vote over Democrat Sue Altman, who garnered 45.7%.

10th Congressional District

In the 10th Congressional District, where Democrats vastly outnumber Republicans, Democrat LaMonica McIver won decisively with over 74% of the vote. Her opponent, Republican Carmen Bucco, received around 22%.

4th Congressional District

Republican incumbent Chris Smith secured his 23rd term representing the 4th Congressional District, covering Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Smith, the longest-serving member of Congress in New Jersey’s history, won with over 67% of the vote, while his opponent, Matthew Jenkins, received approximately 31%.