Level of support for President Trump could decide state Senate race

New Jersey will hold a special election for state Senate when voters head to the polls next week – and the candidates’ level of support for President Donald Trump could end a deciding factor.

News 12 Staff

Nov 1, 2019, 12:07 AM

Updated 1,653 days ago

Share:

New Jersey will hold a special election for state Senate when voters head to the polls next week – and the candidates’ level of support for President Donald Trump could end a deciding factor.
Freshman Rep. Jeff Van Drew is the former senator from the state’s 1st District. Van Drew made headlines Thursday when he became one of only two House Democrats to vote against an impeachment inquiry into the president.
Democratic State Sen. Bob Andrzejczak was appointed to Van Drew’s position when Van Drew was elected to Congress. He is running against Republican attorney Mike Testa.
Micah Rasmussen, of the Rebovich Institute for NJ Politics, said Andrzejczak is in a tight race to keep his seat.
"The 1st District is still a Republican district. And Cape May County is still a Republican county. And so, he has really taken great pains to distinguish himself from [Democratic] Gov. [Phil] Murphy,” Rasmussen says.
Trump won District 1 by nine points in the 2016 election.
"I've run a very conservative campaign, I'm running as who I am. I am a conservative, I'm not ashamed to be a conservative,” says Testa.
Testa has been the target of millions in attack ads from General Majority, a super PAC controlled by South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross.
"You can tell that this campaign is not being run by anyone who has any clue about Legislative District 1. It's being run by the outside. It's being run from Camden County,” says Testa.
But Andrzejczak says that he is focused on state issues and not on national politics.
"I'm focused on the people of the 1st District, I'm focused on New Jersey,” he says.
Rasmussen says that it is going to be a close race.
"This is a dogfight. This is going to be a question of turnout, who turns out,” he says.
Progressive Jeremiah Schenerman has launched a last-minute write-in campaign for the Senate seat, even though at 28 years old he is too young to be a state senator.


More from News 12
1:10
Parade and street fair celebrates Haitian Culture Day in Flatbush Junction

Parade and street fair celebrates Haitian Culture Day in Flatbush Junction

2:08
Rainy morning on Mother’s Day in New York City, tapers by evening

Rainy morning on Mother’s Day in New York City, tapers by evening

0:18
NYPD: Suspect wanted for stealing from donation box at house of worship in Crown Heights

NYPD: Suspect wanted for stealing from donation box at house of worship in Crown Heights

0:29
High school football players train for game offering scholarships

High school football players train for game offering scholarships

1:02
NYPD: Bronx man accused in violent Melrose sexual assault arrested; charged with first-degree rape

NYPD: Bronx man accused in violent Melrose sexual assault arrested; charged with first-degree rape

1:23
Light show: Severe solar storm produces spectacular auroras across the tri-state

Light show: Severe solar storm produces spectacular auroras across the tri-state

2:03
Why do Black women have the highest death rate for most cancers? A massive study in underway

Why do Black women have the highest death rate for most cancers? A massive study in underway

1:07
Bruckner Expressway closures: State urges drivers to use caution near work zones

Bruckner Expressway closures: State urges drivers to use caution near work zones

1:45
NYPD: Driver wanted for hitting 2 women, killing 1 in Bushwick

NYPD: Driver wanted for hitting 2 women, killing 1 in Bushwick

2:21
Grieving father turns to advocacy in name of deceased fiancée

Grieving father turns to advocacy in name of deceased fiancée

0:44
East New York gang leader sentenced to 23 years in prison

East New York gang leader sentenced to 23 years in prison

1:52
NYCHA to cut security guards from dozens of senior buildings

NYCHA to cut security guards from dozens of senior buildings

1:32
CUNY to provide resources for students following FAFSA fiasco

CUNY to provide resources for students following FAFSA fiasco

1:09
Baby changing stations to be installed in all NYC parks bathrooms

Baby changing stations to be installed in all NYC parks bathrooms

1:51
Dyker Heights resident goes from heavy smoker to half marathon runner

Dyker Heights resident goes from heavy smoker to half marathon runner

1:40
NYPD: One woman dead, another injured in hit-and-run in Bushwick

NYPD: One woman dead, another injured in hit-and-run in Bushwick

1:53
Bushwick tenant displaced by fire tries to rebuild life while living in shelter

Bushwick tenant displaced by fire tries to rebuild life while living in shelter

1:28
Bushwick families displaced by massive fire receive clothes, supplies at relief drive

Bushwick families displaced by massive fire receive clothes, supplies at relief drive

1:58
Local officials and loved ones of victims rally for stricter laws against 'drugged drivers'

Local officials and loved ones of victims rally for stricter laws against 'drugged drivers'

0:52
Brooklyn teacher honored by News 12 during Teacher Appreciation Week

Brooklyn teacher honored by News 12 during Teacher Appreciation Week