Here are our predictions for the 2021 New Jersey State Legislature elections.
Democrats have ruled in the New Jersey Senate with an outright majority since 2004. Entering the 2021 election, the Democrats hold a 25 to 15 majority over the Republicans, though one of the GOP seats is vacant.
As for the General Assembly, the lower house in New Jersey, Democrats held a majority of 52 to 28. The Democrats won control in 2001 and have held it uninterrupted since then.
New Jersey’s State Senate and General Assembly (lower house) districts are coterminous, meaning there is one set of district lines for both houses. The Senate elects one member per district and the General Assembly elects two. There are a total of 40 districts. Few of them have a partisan split between members of the Senate and Assembly, and in no district did they elect members of the Assembly from two different parties. In many Assembly races in these 2021 New Jersey State Legislature elections, candidates of the same party are bracketed together on the ballot.
Voters in New Jersey will also elect a governor in 2021.
Southern New Jersey (“South Jersey”)
Senate Pre-Election: Democratic 6, Republican 2, Vacant 1
Assembly Pre-Election: Democratic 12, Republican 6
1st District |
Cape May. Vineland, Ocean City, Millville |
Sen. Mike Testa (R) |
Elected with 53.5% in 2019 special election – Outlook: Lean Republican |
Asmb. Antwan McClellan (R) and Asmb. Erik Simonsen (R) |
Elected with 27.1% and 26.1% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Lean Republican |
2nd District |
Atlantic City, Ventnor City, Egg Harbor Township, Mays Landing |
VACANT – Previously Republican |
Rep elected with 53.5% in 2017 – Outlook: Lean Republican |
Asmb. Vince Mazzeo (D) and Asmb. John Armato (D) |
Mazzeo not seeking re-election – Elected with 26.7% and 25.2% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Lean Democratic |
3rd District |
Carneys Point, Bridgeton, Glassboro, Swedesboro |
Sen. Steve Sweeney (D) |
Elected with 58.7% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Democratic |
Asmb. John Burzichelli (D) and Asmb. Adam Taliaferro (D) |
Elected with 27.9% and 27.1% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Likely Democratic |
4th District |
Williamstown, Lindenwold, Glendora, Turnersville |
Sen. Fred Madden (D) |
Elected unopposed in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Paul Moriarty (D) and Asmb. Gabriela Mosquera (D) |
Elected with 29.9% and 29.4% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Likely Democratic |
5th District |
Camden, Gloucester City, Bellmawr, Richwood |
Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D) |
Elected with 66.1% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Democratic |
Asmb. William Spearman (D) and Asmb. Bill Moen (D) |
Elected with 34.0% and 32.8% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Democratic |
6th District |
Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, Haddon, Voorhees |
Sen. James Beach (D) |
Elected with 69.4% in 2017 – Outlook: Very Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Louis Greenwald (D) and Asmb. Pamela Rosen Lampitt (D) |
Elected with 34.8% and 33.9% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Democratic |
7th District |
Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Burlington, Bordentown |
Sen. Troy Singleton (D) |
Elected with 65.7% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Herb Conaway (D) and Asmb. Carol Murphy (D) |
Elected with 37.7% and 37.5% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Democratic |
8th District |
Mansfield, Southampton, Woodland, Hammonton |
Sen. Dawn Marie Addiego (D) |
Elected with 52.2% in 2017 as Republican – Outlook: Lean Republican |
Asmb. Jean Stanfield (R) and Asmb. Ryan Peters (R) |
Neither seeking re-election – Elected with 25.4% and 25.2% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Lean Republican |
9th District |
Port Republic, Barnegat, Little Egg Harbor, Forked River |
Sen. Chris Connors (R) |
Elected with 64.6% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Republican |
Asmb. Brian Rumpf (R) and Asmb. DiAnne Gove (R) |
Elected with 34.5% and 33.8% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Republican |
Central New Jersey
Senate Pre-Election: Republican 5, Democratic 3
Assembly Pre-Election: Democratic 8, Republican 8
10th District |
Toms River, Brick, Manchester, Point Pleasant Beach |
Sen. Jim Holzapfel (R) |
Elected with 62.5% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Republican |
Asmb. Gregory McGuckin (R) and Asmb. John Catalano (R) |
Elected with 31.4% and 30.6% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Republican |
11th District |
Freehold, Ocean, Neptune, Long Branch |
Sen. Vin Gopal (D) |
Elected with 53.6% in 2017 – Outlook: Lean Democratic |
Asmb. Joann Downey (D) and Asmb. Eric Houghtaling (D) |
Elected with 26.6% and 26.6% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Lean Democratic |
12th District |
Old Bridge, Manalapan, Upper Freehold, Jackson |
Sen. Sam Thompson (R) |
Elected with 56.7% in 2017 – Outlook: Likely Republican |
Asmb. Ronald Dancer (R) and Asmb. Robert Clifton (R) |
Elected with 32.1% and 31.2% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Republican |
13th District |
Marlboro, Holmdel, Hazlet, Sandy Hook |
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon (R) |
Elected with 55.1% in 2017 – Outlook: Likely Republican |
Asmb. Gerard Scharfenberger (R) and Asmb. Serena DiMaso (R) |
DiMaso not seeking re-election – Elected with 29.8% and 29.2% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Likely Republican |
14th District |
Cranbury, Mercerville, Robbinsville, East Windsor |
Sen. Linda Greenstein (D) |
Elected with 56.5% in 2017 – Outlook: Lean Democratic |
Asmb. Wayne DeAngelo (D) and Asmb. Dan Benson (D) |
Elected with 30.4% and 29.6% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Likely Democratic |
15th District |
Trenton, Ewing, West Windsor, Lambertville |
Sen. Shirley Turner (D) |
Elected with 74.0% in 2017 – Outlook: Very Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D) and Asmb. Anthony Verrelli (D) |
Elected with 39.2% and 38.0% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Very Safe Democratic |
16th District |
Princeton, Flemington, Somerville, Branchburg |
Sen. Kip Bateman (R) |
Not seeking re-election – Elected with 50.4% in 2017 – Outlook: Lean Democratic |
Asmb. Andrew Zwicker (D) and Asmb. Roy Freiman (D) |
Zwicker not seeking re-election – Elected with 28.1% and 26.9% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Lean Democratic |
30th District |
Belmar, Lakewood, Manasquan, Wall |
Sen. Robert Singer (R) |
Elected with 60.2% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Republican |
Asmb. Sean Kean (R) and Asmb. Ned Thomson (R) |
Elected with 36.3% and 33.8% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Republican |
Northwest New Jersey
Senate Pre-Election: Republican 4, Democratic 0
Assembly Pre-Election: Republican 8, Democratic 0
23rd District |
Hackettstown, Bound Brook, Alpha, High Bridge |
Sen. Mike Doherty (R) |
Elected with 59.1% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Republican |
Asmb. John DiMaio (R) and Asmb. Erik Peterson (R) |
Elected with 30.2% and 30.1% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Republican |
24th District |
Sussex, Hopatcong, Newton, Oxford, High Point |
Sen. Steve Oroho (R) |
Elected with 61.0% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Republican |
Asmb. Parker Space (R) and Asmb. Hal Wirths (R) |
Elected with 34.6% and 33.0% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Republican |
25th District |
Dover, Boonton, Morristown, Mendham |
Sen. Tony M. Bucco (R) |
Elected with 54.0% in 2020 special election – Outlook: Lean Republican |
Asmb. Brian Bergen (R) and Asmb. Aura Dunn (R) |
Elected with 27.0% in 2019, elected with 52.5% in 2020 special election – Outlook: 2 Lean Republican |
26th District |
West Milford, Kinnelon, North Caldwell, Parsippany-Troy Hills |
Sen. Joe Pennacchio (R) |
Elected with 56.5% in 2017 – Outlook: Likely Republican |
Asmb. BettyLou DeCroce (R) and Asmb. Jay Webber (R) |
DeCroce not seeking re-election – Elected with 28.4% and 28.1% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Likely Republican |
Northeast New Jersey
Senate Pre-Election: Democratic 16, Republican 3
Assembly Pre-Election: Democratic 32, Republican 6
17th District |
New Brunswick, Somerset, Piscataway, Franklin |
Sen. Bob Smith (D) |
Elected with 71.4% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Joseph Egan (D) and Asmb. Joe Danielsen (D) |
Elected with 36.5% and 36.3% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Democratic |
18th District |
Edison, East Brunswick, South Plainfield, Metuchen |
Sen. Patrick Diegnan (D) |
Elected with 65.6% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Robert Karabinchak (D) and Asmb. Sterley Stanley (D) |
Karabinchak elected with 29.7% in 2019 – Stanley appointed – Outlook: 2 Safe Democratic |
19th District |
Perth Amboy, South Amboy, Woodbridge, Carteret |
Sen. Joe Vitale (D) |
Elected unopposed in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Craig Coughlin (D) and Asmb. Yvonne Lopez (D) |
Elected with 33.6% and 32.1% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Democratic |
20th District |
Elizabeth, Roselle, Union, Hillside |
Sen. Joseph Cryan (D) |
Elected with 83.7% in 2017 – Outlook: Very Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Annette Quijano (D) and Asmb. Jamel Holley (D) |
Holley not seeking re-election – Elected with 40.9% and 38.7% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Very Safe Democratic |
21st District |
Cranford, Bernards, Summit, Watchung |
Sen. Tom Kean (R) |
Not seeking re-election – Elected with 54.7% in 2017 – Outlook: Lean Republican |
Asmb. Jon Bramnick (R) and Asmb. Nancy Munoz (R) |
Bramnick not seeking re-election – Elected with 26.0% and 25.4% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Lean Republican |
22nd District |
Linden, Rahway, Plainfield, Middlesex |
Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D) |
Elected with 67.3% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Linda Carter (D) and Asmb. James Kennedy (D) |
Elected with 40.4% and 39.0% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Democratic |
27th District |
Caldwell, Florham Park, West Orange, Chatham |
Sen. Dick Codey (D) |
Elected with 69.7% in 2017 – Outlook: Very Safe Democratic |
Asmb. John McKeon (D) and Asmb. Mila Jasey (D) |
Elected with 33.0% and 32.0% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Democratic |
28th District |
Newark, Brookdale, Nutley, Irvington |
Sen. Ronald Rice (D) |
Elected with 96.1% in 2017 – Outlook: Very Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Ralph Caputo (D) and Asmb. Cleopatra Tucker (D) |
Elected with 41.4% and 40.8% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Very Safe Democratic |
29th District |
Newark, Belleville |
Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D) |
Elected with 87.3% in 2017 – Outlook: Very Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Eliana Pintor Marin (D) and Asmb. Shanique Speight (D) |
Elected with 40.9% and 39.4% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Very Safe Democratic |
31st District |
Jersey City, Bayonne |
Sen. Sandra Cunningham (D) |
Elected with 83.9% in 2017 – Outlook: Very Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Angela McKnight (D) and Asmb. Nicholas Chiaravalloti (D) |
Chiaravalloti not seeking re-election – Elected with 43.3% and 39.3% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Very Safe Democratic |
32nd District |
West New York, Secaucus, Kearny, Harrison |
Sen. Nicholas Sacco (D) |
Elected with 80.2% in 2017 – Outlook: Very Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Angelica Jimenez (D) and Asmb. Pedro Mejia (D) |
Elected with 40.5% and 39.0% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Very Safe Democratic |
33rd District |
Jersey City, Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken |
Sen. Brian Stack (D) |
Elected with 88.2% in 2017 – Outlook: Very Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Raj Mukherji (D) and Asmb. Annette Chaparro (D) |
Elected with 42.4% and 42.3% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Very Safe Democratic |
34th District |
Clifton, Montclair, East Orange |
Sen. Nia Gill (D) |
Elected with 84.9% in 2017 – Outlook: Very Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Tom Giblin (D) and Asmb. Britnee Timberlake (D) |
Elected with 41.9% and 41.0% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Very Safe Democratic |
35th District |
Paterson, Garfield, Haledon, Elmwood Park |
Sen. Nelida Pou (D) |
Elected with 79.0% in 2017 – Outlook: Very Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Benjie Wimberly (D) and Asmb. Shavonda Sumter (D) |
Elected with 43.5% and 43.4% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Very Safe Democratic |
36th District |
Passaic, East Rutherford, Little Ferry, Cliffside Park |
Sen. Paul Sarlo (D) |
Elected with 65.8% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Gary Schaer (D) and Asmb. Clinton Calabrese (D) |
Elected with 30.8% and 30.5% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Democratic |
37th District |
Alpine, Englewood, Fort Lee, Hackensack |
Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D) |
Not seeking re-election – Elected with 75.4% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Gordon Johnson (D) and Asmb. Valerie Huttle (D) |
Neither seeking re-election – Elected with 37.4% and 37.3% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Safe Democratic |
38th District |
Paramus, Lodi, Hawthorne, Saddle Brook |
Sen. Joe Lagana (D) |
Elected with 60.1% in 2017 – Outlook: Safe Democratic |
Asmb. Lisa Swain (D) and Asmb. Chris Tully (D) |
Elected with 27.7% and 27.2% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Likely Democratic |
39th District |
Ringwood, Mahwah, Saddle River, Dumont |
Sen. Holly Schepisi (R) |
Appointed in 2021 – Outlook: Lean Republican |
Asmb. Robert Auth (R) and Asmb. DeAnne DeFuccio (R) |
Elected with 26.5% in 2019 – DeFuccio appointed in 2021 – Outlook: 2 Lean Republican |
40th District |
Wayne, Ridgewood, Pompton Lakes, Totowa |
Sen. Kristin Corrado (R) |
Elected with 56.2% in 2017 – Outlook: Likely Republican |
Asmb. Kevin Rooney (R) and Asmb. Christopher DePhillips (R) |
Elected with 28.4% and 27.6% in 2019 – Outlook: 2 Likely Republican |