Adler defeats Myers in NJ Cong. race

Democrat John Adler narrowly defeated Republican Chris Myers in the pivotal race for New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District, a longtime GOP stronghold that drew national attention from both parties this year.

Adler's victory in the South Jersey district, aided by strong Democratic turnout and the retirement of 24-year Republican incumbent Rep. James Saxton, gave New Jersey Democrats an 8-5 edge in the congressional delegation, up from the current 7-6.

Myers conceded about 10:30 p.m.

In other House races in south Jersey, incumbents prevailed: Democrat Robert Andrews in the First District and Republican Frank LoBiondo in the Second District. Republican incumbent Christopher Smith won re-election in central Jersey's Fourth District.

Democrats maintained their control of both U.S. Senate seats, as incumbent Sen. Frank Lautenberg handily won re-election.

Adler, a Cherry Hill lawyer and state senator, won a bruising and expensive campaign over Myers, a Lockheed Martin vice president and the mayor of Medford. The seat was one of the GOP seats targeted by national Democratic leaders, who aided Adler with fundraising, advertising and strategy.

Myers, who got a $65,000 fundraising boost from President Bush, tried to distance himself from the unpopular president, saying in one ad, "Look, folks, George Bush is part of the problem."

Voters in the Third District, which includes Cherry Hill and runs through Burlington and Ocean Counties, shifted from their long-standing GOP allegiance.

Deb Miller, 37, a McCain supporter from Little Egg Harbor Township, said she split her ticket to vote for Adler because she doesn't agree with Myers on several key issues, including the environment.

"I am a registered Republican, but I don't always vote straight down the ticket," Miller said. "I'm very concerned about off-shore drilling here."

Lee Myers, of Moorestown, said his support for Obama led him to vote for other Democrats down the ballot, including Adler.

"There's probably not a lot of difference at the end of the day between Adler and Myers, but I want to support Obama's ticket," said the Moorestown resident. "There's some coattail politics there."