VINELAND, N.J. – Republicans are triumphant tonight in the marquee contest of 2019’s top swing district.
Cumberland GOP Chairman Mike Testa, Jr. defeated the incumbent Democrat state Senator Bob Andrzejczak on Tuesday, winning the Cape May portion of the district by better than 9-points.
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He’s ahead by close to 10-point district-wide with about 3/4 of the votes counted. Testa was outspent by close 10-to-1.
The LD1 win attracted national GOP eyes.
“Republicans had resounding victories across the country including Mike Testa, who certainly had the odds stacked against him in deep blue New Jersey,” said Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) President Austin Chambers. “Senator-elect Testa is committed to reducing taxes and dangerous spending while ensuring that proper investments are made for New Jersey’s education and infrastructure. Republicans flipping this previously Democrat-held seat shows that people of the Garden State are ready for change, and we congratulate Mike Testa on an incredible win. The RSLC was proud to support the effort to make this once unlikely pickup possible.”
Testa’s running mates Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan are also leading, on track to unseat Democrats Matt Milam and Bruce Land.
2019’s returns are ominous news for Rep. Jeff Van Drew (D-2) who is hoping to win his first reelection battle next year; LD1 is his old district which he represented as State Senator since 2007, and it’s a key component of the 2nd Congressional District. As of January? It’s in GOP hands.
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