N.J. primary election: Senate matchup is set between Andy Kim and Curtis Bashaw; Herb Conaway and Rajesh Mohan win primaries in 3rd District

It was not your garden variety primary in the Garden State on Tuesday.

It involved presidential nominees effectively already chosen; a U.S. Senate campaign in which the indicted incumbent, on trial in New York, has declared he will run as an independent; and in a heavily Democratic state, Republicans may have rivaled the ranks of Democrats among those showing up at the polls.

The latter phenomenon had to do with the fact that about 10% of Democrats had voted by mail, compared with 5% of GOP registrants.

At 10:52, Bashaw finally took the podium and accepted his victory. "Before I entered this race, they told me it couldn't be done," he said. "I believe in New Jersey, I believe in its people, and I believe in its freedoms. And that is why I believe it is time for change.

"I believe it's time for a political outsider who can deliver results. We can't keep sending the same entrenched DC politicians like Andy Kim and Bob Menendez.

"Yes you heard it right," he said. "We are going to get to run against two entrenched Democratic politicians."

Thousands of New Jersey Democrats voiced their frustration Tuesday with President Joe Biden by voting “uncommitted” on their presidential primary ballot.

As of 10:45 p.m. with about 72% of the vote counted, 35,300 voters registered a protest vote against Biden. The Uncommitted New Jersey group organizing the campaign to show frustration with Biden’s support for Israel had set a goal of 50,000 votes.

In most New Jersey counties, Democratic primary voters had the option of selecting “uncommitted” for the presidential race, right above a slogan that read “Justice for Palestine. Permanent Ceasefire Now.” Activists used a signature campaign to get the option on the ballot. In parts of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, where the signature effort failed, organizers asked voters to simply write in “uncommitted.”

Rajesh Mohan, 60, won the Republican primary in South Jersey’s 3rd congressional district, which is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, a Democrat.

Mohan, a cardiologist in Holmdel in Monmouth County, won an open four-way Republican primary with a decisive lead. He defeated immigration consultant Shirley Maia-Cusick, as well as financial advisor Gregory Sobocinski and financial advisor Michael Francis Faccone. He will face Democratic challenger Herb Conaway, the state Assembly’s deputy speaker, in the general election in November.

The 3rd Congressional District includes almost all of Burlington County and parts of Mercer County, which lean Democratic, and parts of Republican-leaning Monmouth County. Democrats make up nearly 36% of voters in the district, and Republicans make up a little more than 26%. Unaffiliated voters outnumber both parties at nearly 37%, as of May.

Assemblyman Herb Conaway, 61, has won the Democratic primary in South Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District, which is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Andy Kim.

Conaway, of Delran Township in Burlington County, said he will be the first Black physician to serve in Congress, and the first Black person to represent South Jersey in Congress.

He was challenged in the five-way open primary by his former running mate Carol Murphy, the Assembly’s majority whip, as well as civil rights attorney Joe Cohn, business owner Sarah Schoengood, and teacher Brian Schkeeper.

Cape May County hotelier and developer Curtis Bashaw, 62, won the Republican primary Tuesday for U.S. Senate in New Jersey.

Bashaw, 64, campaigned by criticizing Democrats over inflation and border security, and, notably, held out on endorsing former President Donald Trump until several months into his campaign.

Still, Bashaw stopped short of fully embracing the former president, unlike his Trump-endorsed primary competitor, Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner. Instead, he capitalized on strong establishment support at the county level.

Rep. Donald Payne Jr., who died April 24, has won the Democratic primary for his Newark, N.J., congressional seat.

Payne, 65, had filed paperwork to run for reelection this year and was uncontested. His death came after the deadline had passed for candidates to file for his now-vacant seat.

This, however, will be sorted out soon. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a writ of election for a July 16 primary to replace Payne, who died of a heart attack connected to complications from diabetes. A general election vote will occur on Sept. 18 for the 10th congressional district.

Up in the Presidential Suite on the second floor, Bashaw awaited results with his husband, Will Riccio, 42, his sister, Lynette Hull, 62, and other supporters. 

He said he felt confident that the campaign had done the work, traveling the state and listening to voters concerned about issues both nationally (immigration) and locally (wind energy and parental rights.).

"Corruption is a big issue," he said. "Obviously there's a trial going on with Menendez right now. People are really ready for outsiders, for a new perspective, not career politicians."

Though he voted for Biden in 2020 Mohammad Mian, a 69-year-old Democrat from Cherry Hill, said he is considering voting for Trump in November.

Mian, who is Muslim and from Pakistan, said he didn’t like Biden because of the administrations support of Israel in its war in Gaza and allegations the administration was involved in a regime change in Pakistan.

Mian, who voted uncommitted in the primary, described the situation in Gaza as “like the biggest tragedy we’ve seen unfold in front of us.”

U.S. Congressman Andy Kim won New Jersey’s Democratic Senate primary Tuesday, easily securing a nomination that puts him on a pathway to make history in the U.S. Senate.

“It is a really humbling experience to see my name on the ballot to be the next U.S. Senator from New Jersey,” Kim said Tuesday after casting his vote. “It’s something I never imagined as a public school kid, a son of immigrants, but I’m ready to step up for my state.”

Kim cleared the field of his biggest challenger, the state’s first lady Tammy Murphy, when she dropped out of the race in March, bringing a sleepy end to a once heated campaign for the seat held by Sen. Bob Menendez.

At a table at the Bashaw event, Avalon councilwoman Barbara Juzaitis, 72, and James Hatch, 72, the pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Cape May Court House, had become fast friends.

Juzaitis said she was all in for Bashaw. "I'm part of the Republican club," she said. "I think Curtis is going to be excellent."

Pastor Hatch said he had come by just "to listen."

John Galie said the last Republican he was truly happy to vote for was Ronald Reagan.

“Everyone since has been a disaster but they’re better than the chaos and the bitter disaster it’s gonna be on the other side,” he said.

Though Trump wasn’t his first, or second, or third choice for president but that he did good things in his first term and was “a proven entity.”

As befitting a hotelier, Curtis Bashaw, the GOP candidate from Cape May, was holding his primary night party in a hotel ballroom. The hotel was Congress Hall, naturally, the elegant yellow painted brick hotel that dates to 1816 that is Bashaw’s signature property in this Victorian Jersey Shore resort.

Outside, yellow Congress Hall golf carts ferried people around the property. Guests sipped Manhattans and grazed at charcuterie boards and shrimp cocktails under bright white umbrellas on the patio outside the Blue Pig Tavern.

Inside the ballroom, Bashaw buttons were spread on high top tables, and balloons floated as centerpieces near the antique chandeliers.

A Burlington County spokesperson acknowledged that voting was slower for some people today as a result of new voting machines and attributed the slowdown to a lack of familiarity with the equipment.

The new machines replaced equipment that had been in use for 25 years, said county spokesperson David Levinsky.

"The transition challenges were anticipated, and they are no different than what other New Jersey counties experienced when they upgraded their voting machines fleets," Levinsky said in an email.

While many Democrats have expressed concern about Biden seeking a second term David Bannett, 62, and his daughter Adena, 23, who voted at Cherry Hill East High School on Tuesday were optimistic in their support of the President.

“I really do think he’s doing as well as anybody could do, I think he’s restored faith in the U.S. and around the world,” David Bannett

Adena Bannett said she felt Biden’s chances were “kind of shaky” at the moment.

Sara Kriesman considers former President Donald Trump the “devil incarnate.”

The 46-year-old Cherry Hill Democrat considers women’s rights to be her top voting issue and is concerned that after the fall of Roe v Wade her daughters now live in a world where they have less rights than she did.

She voted for Biden who she described as “a good man” who she believes “has our best interests at heart.” While she said she wasn’t thrilled with the choice it was easy when comparing Biden to Trump.

Yes, but you have to declare you are voting for one party.

From the official New Jersey website for the Department of State Division of Elections:

"If you are an unaffiliated voter (a voter that has not declared a party) you may be eligible to vote in the Primary Election. You must declare a party when voting at your polling location or select one ballot, Democrat or Republican, if voting by mail," the department says on its website.

The Upper Township Community Center in Cape May County saw a steady stream of voters, unusual for a low-turnout primary day. Voters said some contested committee person races may have brought people out.

Cheryle Eisele, 78, a retired college professor, said she voted for Biden. "I would not vote for a convicted felon," she said of Trump.

About Kim, she said, "I like his philosophy, the way he carries himself as a Congressman.."

Elected officials have egos as big as parking spaces, Richard Cordry said, stretching his arms wide out in the parking lot of the Mt. Laurel Community Center. 

Cordry, 79, said he was referring to embattled Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, who’s vowed to run as Independent this November despite being on trial for corruption charges. 

“I guess all these politicians have to have egos, though, or they wouldn’t be politicians,” Cordry, a Vietnam veteran, said. “It’s part of the job.”

Jason Frazier, 46, of Cherry Hill, was one of handful of voters at the Carmen Tilelli Community Center on Tuesday.

He voted in the Democratic Primary for President Joe Biden and U.S. Rep Andy Kim for Senate.

Frazier said he liked Sen. Bob Menendez when he came into office but was turned off by allegations of corruption.

In Haddonfield, an affluent South Jersey suburb, two young voters said they were "uncommitted" to the Joe Biden campaign and voted as such, despite their Democratic party affiliation.

Their ballot responses could signal that the uncommitted campaign, launched by progressive activists to protest against the Biden administration's policies supporting Israel's war in Gaza, could be gaining traction in New Jersey.

"I like Biden, but I think we need to send a message that he needs to do more for a ceasefire for Gaza," said 21-year-old Sophie Mulvihill outside of her polling place at Haddonfield's Evangelical Lutheran Church. "Obviously I'll vote for him in November, I just wanted to send that message."

As voters head to the polls in New Jersey, Republican Senate candidate Christine Serrano Glassner is touting a few Republican endorsements.

Chief among them is the backing of former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Serrano Glassner during his rally in Wildwood last month, noting former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie backed her opponent, Curtis Bashaw.

“I wanted to stay out of the race,” Trump said. “But then they said her [opponent] is a Christie person, and I said, ‘I’m endorsing you immediately.’”

A steady stream of voters arrived at the Lumberton Township municipal building before lunch, and some left a little later than expected on account of Burlington County's new polling machines.

“The machines are definitely different but I suppose it’s more secure and I support that,” said resident George McClellan, 78.

Felicia Jewett said she came to the polling center specifically to vote for Andy Kim for the U.S. Senate primary.

Inell Sutton made a pained expression outside the Nesbit Community Center in Pemberton Township, Burlington County when asked if he voted for President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump in Tuesday’s primary.

“Aw man, I wish we had better choices,” Sutton, a 48-year-old case worker said.

Sutton preferred to talk about Democratic Senate candidate Andy Kim, whom he voted for.

Public opinion polling shows that many voters care about two issues this election season: the economy and immigration.

For Don Hamlin, a 78-year-old Moorestown resident and registered Republican, the former was of utmost importance at the polls this morning.

"I'll put it this way, I had more money in my pocket when Trump was president," Hamlin said. "This guy [Biden] who's there now has got me nowhere. He's weak."

Progressive activists across the country have encouraged voters to vote “uncommitted” as a show of frustration with Joe Biden's administration and in support of a cease-fire in Gaza.

How can New Jersey residents vote “uncommitted”?

Voters in most of New Jersey have the option to vote for uncommitted delegates to this summer’s Democratic National Convention. The Uncommitted New Jersey Campaign, which is funded by the Democratic Socialists of America, launched a signature campaign to get those delegates on the ballot across the state.

Congressman Andy Kim, joined by his wife and two sons, voted at his home polling place in Moorestown, N.J. Tuesday morning.

Kim, a Democrat who represents the 3rd District, arrived at the First United Methodist Church driving an SUV, waved to reporters, and walked inside alongside his family.

"It is a really humbling experience to see my name on the ballot to be the next U.S. Senator from New Jersey," Kim said outside after casting his vote. "It's something I never imagined as a public school kid, a son of immigrants, but I'm ready to step up for my state."

Over 348,000 New Jersey voters have already cast their ballots in today’s primary elections, according to data shared by Associated Press election researcher Ryan Dubicki.

Nearly 75% of the early votes cast — 261,142 votes — were by Democrats, while just a quarter of votes — 86,879 — were by Republicans.

A total of 293,224 absentee ballots were received through Monday, while 55,818 votes were cast during early in-person voting.

Turnout was slow Tuesday morning in the tiny log cabin community of Medford Lakes, Burlington County, but Christopher Verone, 75, showed up to vote at the Vaughn Community House wearing a shirt with “true patriot” printed across the chest.

Verone cast his vote for former President Donald Trump and believes fellow New Jerseyans should do the same.

Trump, Verone said, is a “true businessman” who “knows how to run the government like a business.” Verone also believes Trump’s recent trial and conviction was a “farce.”

Two voters showed up a little after 6 a.m. Tuesday at the Presbyterian church in Woodstown, Salem County, to vote.  

Late for work at the construction company he owns, Keith Humphrey, 55, of Woodstown, was talking fast and straight after voting Tuesday morning.

“I support Jeff Van Drew for Senate, and Donald Trump,” said Humphrey, a Republican who voted for Donald Trump in the presidential primary. Trump, he said, is good for business, and President Joe Biden is not.

Five New Jersey Democrats and four Republicans are running in primaries to replace U.S. Rep. Andy Kim in the U.S. House.

On the Democratic side, two New Jersey General Assembly members could have an advantage over a handful of political outsiders in the open seat race. In the Republican race, one candidate leads in fundraising while another has support from the GOP establishment.

The 3rd Congressional District includes almost all of Burlington County and parts of Mercer County, which lean Democratic, and parts of Republican-leaning Monmouth County. Democrats make up nearly 36% of voters in the district, and Republicans make up a little more than 26%. Unaffiliated voters outnumber both parties at nearly 37%, as of May.

When New Jersey Republicans head to the polls for Tuesday’s primary election, they won’t just be choosing their nominee for United States Senate — they’ll be testing whether former President Donald Trump has more power than the traditional control of the state party establishment.

The GOP’s top contenders are Curtis Bashaw, a Cape May County hotelier and developer who is backed by a majority of his party’s establishment, and Christine Serrano Glassner, a mayor from the state’s northeast corner who has the endorsement of the former president as well as a personal connection to him and is vying for his MAGA base.

The winner faces a Democratic candidate in the general election who, in the absence of a head-to-head challenge from sitting Sen. Bob Menendez amid his ongoing corruption trial, is all but guaranteed to be Andy Kim. Kim, currently a congressman representing New Jersey’s 3rd District, wields the advantage in November, given the state’s overwhelmingly Democratic electorate.

Sen. Bob Menendez is still fighting.

The embattled New Jersey senator filed paperwork Monday to run a long-shot campaign as an independent in the November Senate race.

The filing came a day before the state’s primary election, and as Menendez remains on trial in Manhattan on federal fraud and bribery charges.