THE 2003 ELECTION: THE STATEHOUSE; Democrats Seize Senate And Widen Assembly Gap (original) (raw)
New York|THE 2003 ELECTION: THE STATEHOUSE; Democrats Seize Senate And Widen Assembly Gap
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THE 2003 ELECTION: THE STATEHOUSE
- Nov. 5, 2003
Democrats tightened their grip on New Jersey government in Tuesday's elections, seizing undisputed control of the State Senate, toppling the state's top Republican elected official, and padding their majority in the General Assembly.
The sweeping victories, fueled by record-setting campaign spending, give Democrats control of the governor's office and both houses of the Legislature. For the first time in half a century, the party in power picked up seats during midterm legislative elections.
The night's results also offered personal vindication for Gov. James E. McGreevey. Republicans had tried to make the races a referendum on the governor, whose approval ratings have dropped below 40 percent in some recent polls, but Democrats used their financial advantage to focus the races on a host of local issues in Bergen, Gloucester and Monmouth Counties.
In the Fourth District in South Jersey, Democratic power brokers shattered the spending record by plowing more than 3millionintothecampaignofFredMadden,apoliticalnoviceandaformersuperintendentofthestatepolice,,whoclaimedvictorylateTuesdaynight.Thesheermagnitudeofthespending−−forapart−timejobthatpays3 million into the campaign of Fred Madden, a political novice and a former superintendent of the state police, , who claimed victory late Tuesday night. The sheer magnitude of the spending -- for a part-time job that pays 3millionintothecampaignofFredMadden,apoliticalnoviceandaformersuperintendentofthestatepolice,,whoclaimedvictorylateTuesdaynight.Thesheermagnitudeofthespending−−forapart−timejobthatpays49,000 a year -- shocked some political observers and prompted complaints from Philadelphia-area television viewers who became weary of Mr. Madden's ads.
Although Mr. Madden's Republican opponent, George F. Geist, said the race was so close he might request a recall, Democrats were believed to have gained at least one other seat in the State Senate, which had been split 20-20.
The majority the Democrats held in the Assembly was 41 to 38 (with one Green Party member) when the evening began, and they appeared headed to capturing at least 47 seats.
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