Van Drew concedes to Mullock, more South Jersey election results
South Jersey voters have spoken, and the results of the midterm election are in. After a long campaign season and a busy Election Day at polling places across South Jersey, residents woke up Wednesday to find out who will represent them in Washington, Trenton and at the local level.
While some races were decided early, others stayed close into the night, and mail-in and provisional ballots are still being counted in some races. The outcomes will shape priorities on issues that matter to the region, including property taxes, public safety, transportation and the cost of living.
All reported results are unofficial.
Democrat Zack Mullock unseats Rep. Jeff Van Drew
Incumbent candidate Republican Jeff Van Drew conceded to Democrat Zack Mullock, campaign manager Chris Carroll announced at Mullock’s election headquarters Tuesday night.
Mullock is set to serve the 2nd Congressional District, flipping the seat. The second congressional district is made up of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem and part of Gloucester and Ocean counties.
"South Jersey and Zack Mullock just shocked the nation, flipping a district Trump won by +17," New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said in a social media post. "We are getting an incredible leader in Zack. Zack, thank you for stepping up, for running a great race, and always putting service to the community first."
At publication time, with 99% of estimated votes in, Mullock had a small lead with 50.8% of votes to Van Drew's 48.2%.
Democrat Donald Norcross retains 1st District seat
Results show Democrat Donald Norcross defeating Republican Damon Galdo. Norcross was first elected in 2014 and will continue to hold 1st Congressional District seat for the next two years.
The first congressional district of New Jersey serves all of Camden County, and parts of Burlington and Gloucester counties.
At publication time, USA TODAY reported 99% of the votes in, with Norcross leading with 70.2% of counted votes to Galdo's 29.8%.
Before winning his seat in the house in 2014, Norcross, a Camden resident, was a union electrician and president of the Southern New Jersey AFL-CIO, according to his congressional biography.
Democrat Herb Conaway defeats Republican opponent Michael P. McGuire
Unofficial results show incumbent Democrat Herb Conaway was re-elected to New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District, beating Republican opponent Michael P. McGuire by a wide margin.
The 3rd Congressional District serves 38 municipalities in Burlington County, and parts of Mercer and Monmouth counties.
At publication time, with 94% of results in, USA TODAY reported that Conaway led with 62.5% of counted votes, while McGuire had 35.6%.
Conaway, a doctor, was a 7th District Assemblyman for 25 years before being elected to the U.S. House in 2024.
Conaway lists affordability and financial security, support for abortion and contraception access, and passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act as priorities.
Willingboro Township Council
According to results released by Burlington County, Democrat Tonya Brown is leading to win the single seat on the Willingboro Township Council.
At publication time, Brown had 73.62% of counted votes, leading Republican Dione Johnson and the three unaffiliated candidates. The county reported 97.3% districts reported as of the last update at 4:23 p.m. on Nov. 4.
Brown was on the local Board of Education for eight years and is also an officer for Local 1036 of the Communications Workers of America union.
The single seat was open after the court-ordered resignation of member Nathaniel Anderson over his conviction on federal charges.
Atlantic County Sheriff
According to election results released by Atlantic County, Democrat Sean Riggin led the Atlantic County Sherriff race against Republican incumbent Joseph “Tokyo Joe” O’Donoghue.
At publication time, with 100% of districts reported, results show Riggin winning with 53.56% of the vote; O'Donoghue sits behind with 46.44% of the counted votes.
In a campaign advertisement, Riggin said he would bring "authentic, modern leadership" to the office. As chief of police in Pleasantville, Riggin led an effort to bring the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system to the township.
Cumberland County Sherriff
Cumberland County's unofficial early results show Democrat Robert A. Austino leaning to win the spot for County Sheriff.
At publication time, with 98.91% of votes counted, results show Austino winning with 54.63% of the votes to Donato's 45.31%
Austino lost the office in the November 2023 election after five terms. He retired from the Vineland police force as a lieutenant in 2003 and won his first term as sheriff in 2008.
Austino won against Donato in the 2020 election.
Monroe Township Mayor
According to early unofficial results, Democrat Gregory A. Wolfe will stay on as mayor.
As of the latest update released at 8:53 a.m. on Nov. 4, the preliminary results show Wolfe with 61.16% of the vote to Republican John Valentine's 38.67% in the local race. Gloucester County results' page said 100% district reporting in the latest update. These results are still unofficial.
The topic of controversy in the race was a potential data center development in Monroe, featuring back-and-forth allegations from both candidates.
Three out of seven council seats were also up for grabs in Monroe.
Democrats Patrick O'Reilly, Denise Liszewski Adams and Donald Heverly, were running as incumbents in the council. The Republican council slate was Everett Davis, Brenda Brown and Yvonee Pilla.
Each respective party of the council race campaigned with each mayor, with the Democratic side running under the banner of " “A Team of Difference Makers.” Republicans ran under the "Heartbeat of Monroe" tagline.
Early results show the three democratic candidates will keep their seats.
The Democratic campaign stressed efforts to increase transparency of council meetings, securing millions of dollars in grants, and cutting emergency medical services costs. Additionally, they ran on road improvements such as the Route 33 and Fries Mill Road intersection project, and added a new fire station in the township.
Cumberland County Board of Commissioners
Unofficial results released by Cumberland County indicate the Democratic slate has won the Board of Commissions race, ousting the three republican incumbent candidates.
Republicans previously controlled the Cumberland County Board of Commissioner four members to three. Three member slots were on the ballot.
Larae H. Smith, Joseph Pepitone and Ronald J. Franceschini Jr. were running for the Democratic slate. Preliminary results show them narrowly taking the race by an approximate 4% vote margin across the board.
Smith is the Vice President of the Commercial Township Board of Education and vice chair for the township's Land Use Board. She has worked in education for 17 years.
Pepitone was a member of the board in November 2007, serving one term. He was a member of the Millville City Commission and the Board of Education. He also taught science and was a counselor at public schools.
Franceschini is a former Vineland city councilman, first elected in 2016. He is a former president of the Vineland Board of Education and chair of the Community Advisory Board of Health.
For complete results on local races and referendums, visit your county’s election results webpage.
- Atlantic County election results.
- Burlington County election results.
- Camden County election results.
- Cape May County election results.
- Cumberland County election results.
- Gloucester County election results.
- Salem County election results.
This story has been updated to reflect new information and additional races.
Mia Boykin is an education/watchdog reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times, and The Daily Journal. Email: [email protected]. Please consider a digital subscription.
Risha Inaganti writes about trending topics across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and Daily Journal. If you have a story she should tell, email her at [email protected]. Subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.