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 1,638 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
1:55
Authorities: 41-year-old man killed by his own dog in Longwood

Authorities: 41-year-old man killed by his own dog in Longwood

2:13
MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

1:46
Sunny with mild temperatures for New York City today; tracking weekend rain

Sunny with mild temperatures for New York City today; tracking weekend rain

1:46
NYPD: 2nd suspect linked to killing of 17-year-old in Morrisania at large

NYPD: 2nd suspect linked to killing of 17-year-old in Morrisania at large

1:43
See what's happening across the Bronx the weekend of April 27-28

See what's happening across the Bronx the weekend of April 27-28

1:59
6-year-old girl from the Bronx making, selling custom T-shirts for Mother's Day

6-year-old girl from the Bronx making, selling custom T-shirts for Mother's Day

0:29
Where to drop off your prescription drugs safely in the Bronx for National Take Back Day

Where to drop off your prescription drugs safely in the Bronx for National Take Back Day

0:27
Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

1:55
Tribute held for survivors and victims of high-profile violent Bronx crimes

Tribute held for survivors and victims of high-profile violent Bronx crimes

0:24
Councilmember Marmorato meets with Home Depot staff to discuss security measures

Councilmember Marmorato meets with Home Depot staff to discuss security measures

2:03
Council Member Sanchez introduces building inspection, integrity bills after Billingsley Terrace collapse

Council Member Sanchez introduces building inspection, integrity bills after Billingsley Terrace collapse

1:34
MTA rolls out multibillion-dollar plan to protect transit system from major storms

MTA rolls out multibillion-dollar plan to protect transit system from major storms

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:30
Gov. Hochul announces funding to aid flood-prone communities

Gov. Hochul announces funding to aid flood-prone communities

1:35
NYPD: Multiple armed suspects wanted for string of robberies on Bronx train

NYPD: Multiple armed suspects wanted for string of robberies on Bronx train

2:02
Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

Exclusive: Animal rescue group stepping in to help cats in danger of being mauled

0:05
Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

1:54
Bronx Children's Museum offers familiar fun, valuable education for youth and families

Bronx Children's Museum offers familiar fun, valuable education for youth and families

0:19
NYPD: Woman wanted for punching another woman, stealing her phone in Highbridge

NYPD: Woman wanted for punching another woman, stealing her phone in Highbridge

2:07
Council Member Feliz plans to tackle rising vacant storefronts in the Bronx

Council Member Feliz plans to tackle rising vacant storefronts in the Bronx