TRENTON — This year's redistricting process has claimed another victim: Sen. John Girgenti (D-Passaic) announced today that he's not running for re-election. The commission tasked with redrawing the state's legislative map moved Girgenti's hometown of Hawthorne out of the 35th district, which Girgenti has represented since 1978. He was an assemblyman until 1990, when he became a senator. "After...
Sen. John Girgenti (D-Passaic) announced today that he's not running for re-electionTRENTON — This year's redistricting process has claimed another victim: Sen. John Girgenti (D-Passaic) announced today that he's not running for re-election.
The commission tasked with redrawing the state's legislative map moved Girgenti's hometown of Hawthorne out of the 35th district, which Girgenti has represented since 1978. He was an assemblyman until 1990, when he became a senator.
"After much soul-searching over the past few days, I have decided not to seek re-election to the state Senate," Girgenti said in a statement. "Although moving back to Paterson is a viable option, it would most probably result in a bitter and divisive primary. That's the last thing I want to see happen."
Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D-Passaic) has signaled her interest in running for Girgenti's senate seat.
New Jersey's legislative districts are redrawn every 10 years after new Census data is released. After contentious negotiations, the commission's tiebreaker, Rutgers professor Alan Rosenthal, sided with the Democrats' proposed map on Saturday.
Girgenti wasn't the only lawmaker whose hometown was yanked from his district.
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer) will be leaving the home he bought in Princeton Township because the town is no longer party of his 15th district. He told the Times of Trenton that he's looking for a new home in Trenton.
In addition, Assemblyman Joseph Malone's (R-Burlington) hometown of Bordentown has been shifted from the 30th to the 7th legislative district. He plans to run again in his new district and doesn't think redistricting changes his chances.
"I would never, never ever leave my hometown," said Malone, who said his family's roots there stretch back to the 1840s. "That would never cross my mind."
Malone won't have to run against an incumbent to win in the 7th because Assemblyman Jack Conners (D-Burlington) is retiring. Conners' hometown of Pennsauken had been moved into the 6th district, which has three other Democratic incumbents.
Previous coverage:
• N.J. Democrats retain advantage in upcoming legislative elections
• Redistricting commission approves Democratic-proposed legislative map
• Democrats prevail in fight to redraw N.J.'s 40 legislative districts
• Minority coalition sides with Democrats' proposed N.J. redistricting map
• Both parties to make final pitches to tiebreaker in N.J. redistricting meetings