TRENTON — Two of Trenton's most powerful Democrats — state Sen. Raymond Lesniak and Assemblyman Joseph Cryan — fought off tough primary challenges tonight as incumbents ruled in the prelude to this fall's fight for control of the state Legislature. Lesniak (D-Union), a colorful and controversial senator whose 34-year career in the Legislature makes him Trenton's second-longest serving lawmaker,...
State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) votes in Elizabeth in November's election. TRENTON — Two of Trenton's most powerful Democrats — state Sen. Raymond Lesniak and Assemblyman Joseph Cryan — fought off tough primary challenges tonight as incumbents ruled in the prelude to this fall's fight for control of the state Legislature.
Lesniak (D-Union), a colorful and controversial senator whose 34-year career in the Legislature makes him Trenton's second-longest serving lawmaker, beat Jerome Dunn, an assistant school superintendent in Elizabeth, 54 percent to 46 percent in in the 20th District Democratic primary.
Cryan, the Assembly Majority leader and former Democratic chairman who is one of Gov. Chris Christie's toughest critics, held off a slate backed by the Elizabeth Board of Education.
"I never ran away from a fight in my life and I wasn't running away from this one," Lesniak said, delivering his victory speech before a restless crowd.
The primary was the most closely watched in the state, where just 16 of the 40 Legislative districts saw contested primaries. In both the Democratic and Republican contests, every incumbent won — including in the 25th District, where State Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R-Morris) easily fended off a challenge by William Chegwidden, a Morris County freeholder and mayor of Wharton.
Tuesday's contests set the stage for November, when all 120 seats in the Senate and Assembly are up for election. Gov. Chris Christie, in his touring town hall circuit, has told crowds to turn the Democrat-controlled Legislature over to Republicans if they want to see his agenda enacted.
The Union County-based 20th district Democratic race was a hard-fought and nasty contest, with each side accusing the other of being closet Republicans. It was also the culmination of a local feud that has engulfed Union County politics for years.
Lesniak and Cryan hold sway over Union County politics. Their opponents were backed by the Elizabeth Board of Education — a rival political faction that has gained a toe-hold in the school system but has had little luck in other political contests.
Lesniak had a direct message for his opponents Tuesday night: "And let me tell you folks at the Elizabeth Board of Education, the fight has just begun."
Election worker Bruce Finnie waits for voters to arrive at the Princeton Fire Department Engine Company No. 1 in Princeton Borough. The polls opened at 6 in the morning Tuesday.Although he lost, Dunn said voters in the district were "sending us a message ...I think everyone in the state now will start to realize people are tired and they're looking for a change."
Cryan and his running mate Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Union), defeated Elizabeth Councilman Carlos Cedeno and Tony Monteiro, a former councilman and former Elizabeth board member. Cyran set his sights on November in his acceptance speech.
"Tomorrow and every day forward we'll continue to send a message to Chris Christie," he said.
Republican State Committee Chairman Samuel Raia also pointed to the general election fight, saying in a statement that voters "selected the next wave of Republican reformers who will pursue the policies that will echo the reforms proposed by Governor Chris Christie."
The biggest upset of the night was in the 27th Legislative District, where tea party Republican state Senate candidate William Eames edged out establishment GOP-backed William Sullivan, an Essex Fells councilman. Eames will now face state Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) in November, in a district that leans Democratic but Republicans hoped to put in play.
In the 25th District, which is made up of part of Morris County and one town in Somerset County, Bucco (R-Morris) defeated Chegwidden in a nasty race. Bucco accused Chegwidden, a schoolteacher, of triple dipping. Chegwidden hit back by charging Bucco with financial impropriety and dredging up a nearly 10-year-old sexual harassment suit against Bucco that was quietly settled years ago.
In Hudson County's 33rd Legislative District, Hudson County Democratic Organization-backed Assemblyman Ruben Ramos and Sean Connors, a Jersey City police detective, beat Hoboken Councilman Ravi Bhalla's renegade campaign backed by Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
In addition, 28 independent candidates filed to run by today's deadline — 10 for Senate and 18 for Assembly.
NEW JERSEY PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS 2011
• Essex County | Hudson County | Hunterdon County | Mercer County
• Middlesex County | Morris County | Somerset County | Union County