It’s symbolic, but it’s also validation of a trend.
New data from New Jersey’s Division of Election confirms that Democrats lost their statewide 1+ million voter registration edge in March 2023 which Trenton’s majority party has enjoyed since July 2020. There were 998,794 more registered Dems than Republicans as of April 1st; 2,533,035 Democrats vs. 1,534,241 Republicans.
The GOP added 4,094 new voters last month while Phil Murphy’s Democrats increase their ranks by only 2,522. In fact, Republicans have gained steadily since Joe Biden assumed office after taking a drubbing during the Trump era.
The Garden State is still “bluer” (at least on paper) than it was a decade ago when Republicans last defeated an incumbent in a statewide race. Democrats outnumbered Republicans by approximately 700,000 registrants when Chris Christie defeated Jon Corzine in 2009. Jack Ciattatelli came 3-points short (51% to 48%) of defeating Phil Murphy 12 years later.
