Race was especially nasty, with both sides accusing the other of benefiting from the taxpayers' largesse
Assemblyman Vincent J. Polistina, left, and state Sen. Jim Whelan, candidates in the New Jersey Legislative District 2 election. Whelan triumphed in today's hotly contested election.ATLANTIC COUNTY — State Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic) has held onto his seat after a hard-fought re-election campaign against Assemblyman Vince Polistina (R-Atlantic).
As of late last month, the race was the most expensive in the state, with legislative candidates raising $3.8 million and spending $3.2 million.
The race was especially nasty, with both sides accusing the other of benefiting from the taxpayers’ largesse. Polistina accused Whelan of using his political connections to boost his public pension, while Whelan attacked Polistina because his engineering firm had millions of dollars in public contracts.
Polistina took to the stage shortly after 10 p.m. to give his concession speech, thanking his supporters and his wife Carolyn, who he said showed "dignity, even as the attacks were coming.''
"I said throughout this, 'nobody feel bad for me.' Nobody made me do it,'' Polistina said to a cheering crowd. "I enjoyed my service in Trenton. I thank you all for the honor of serving in Trenton.''
He noted Gov. Chris Christie's hard campaign in the county. "The governor probably campaigned for us more than anyone,'' he said.
The district will remain split between Democrats and Republicans. The two Republican candidates for Assembly – incumbent John Amodeo (R-Atlantic) and attorney Chris Brown –defeated Atlantic County Freeholder Alisa Cooper and attorney Damon Tyner.
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