Earlier in November, New Jersey Republicans suffered defeats up and down the ballot across the state. But things were different in New Jersey’s First Legislative District, where we bucked that trend and swept County and district offices, continuing a trend of Republican success I helped set into motion back in 2019. It’s clear to anyone who has paid attention why our approach resonated profoundly with the people of South Jersey. Republicans looking to make further gains in our state can take a few lessons.
While Republicans flopped across New Jersey, we won because we took a risk and did things a little differently. It’s not a coincidence, it was an innovative approach. We listened to voters and focused on issues that actually mattered to working people while charting a new course for future Republican campaigns in the state. This year we ran groundbreaking Spanish ads, chased mail-in ballots by using texting effectively, and created a robust grassroots campaign with some out-of-the-box thinking that our Democrat challengers could not match.
And most importantly, I surrounded myself with advisors and a campaign team that let me be myself on the campaign trail. We said no to the consultants who tried to fit our campaign into their cookie-cutter structure. New Jersey voters noticed that, and they rewarded us at the ballot box. Not only did Team Testa score a resounding win, we helped lead a sweep of Cumberland County offices, including a new sheriff, surrogate, and three commissioners. Every aspect of the campaign that we ran was instrumental to our success in November. Let me break some of the nuts and bolts down for you:
In many districts, Hispanic voters can be a difference-maker, especially as the leftward march of the Democratic Party accelerates. Nearly 33% of Cumberland County’s population is Hispanic or Latino, a demographic fact that our campaign leaned into by recognizing the need to reach all voters, regardless of historic voting patterns. Many Hispanic voters are now fleeing the Democrats in droves, presenting an incredible opportunity for Republican campaigns. One out of every five New Jerseyans is Hispanic – this is a trend that conservative campaigns across the state need to pay attention to, or run the risk of continued failure.
It takes a little more than common sense to win an election, too. We were on the ground, speaking to voters about what they needed, and we listened. We heard that voters were worried about affordability, solutions to problems they actually face: not lofty climate goals or progressive wishlist items, and having a candidate they trust to fight for their needs. That’s what I focused on while campaigning, and those will continue to be my priorities in the legislature. Listening to and understanding one’s constituency is essential if we ever hope to have a conservative government in Trenton.
It’s not rocket science, but we need to be honest with ourselves as Republicans and point out where our party is strong and where it needs to be improved. I think November’s elections painted a very clear picture in New Jersey.
November’s results speak for themselves: Team Testa and Cumberland County can be a blueprint for Republicans across the state, showcasing how New Jersey Republicans can secure victories despite the shifts in voter allegiances that have decimated the party over the past decade. Team Testa has the recipe — it’s high time they let us in the kitchen.
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Senator Michael L. Testa, Jr. is a State Senator representing New Jersey’s First Legislative District which includes Atlantic, Cape May, & Cumberland Counties. He is a dad, husband, and leader in fighting for the needs of New Jersey’s working families.
