The election for the state of New Jersey was a highly contested and closely watched race, as the future of the state’s political landscape hung in the balance. With a hotly contested presidential election looming in 2020, the results of this election could be seen as a bellwether for the national race to come. This article will explore the results of the election in New Jersey and examine the implications for the state and national politics.
Overview of the Election in New Jersey
The election in New Jersey was a highly contested one, with the two major parties vying for control of the state government. This election was the first since the passage of a new law that requires all voters to show a photo ID at the polls. The law was controversial among some groups, as it was seen as a way to suppress the votes of certain demographics.
The election was also seen as a referendum on the state’s economy, as the incumbent Governor had promised to bring jobs and prosperity to the state. It was also seen as a way for the state to make its voice heard in the national debate on issues such as immigration, healthcare, and education.
Who was on the Ballot
The two major candidates in the election were the incumbent Governor, Chris Christie, and the Democratic challenger, Phil Murphy. Murphy was a former US Ambassador to Germany and had the backing of the Democratic Party. Christie was the incumbent and had the support of the Republican Party.
In addition to the two major candidates, there were several third-party candidates on the ballot, including the Green Party candidate, Seth Kaper-Dale, and the Libertarian Party candidate, Peter Rohrman. There were also several write-in candidates on the ballot, including the independent candidate, Vincent Ross.
The Outcome of the Election
The results of the election showed that Phil Murphy had won the election with 55.4% of the vote. Chris Christie had received 41.7% of the vote, and the minor-party candidates had received a combined total of 2.9%. As such, Murphy had become the Governor of New Jersey.
Analysis of the Results
The election results showed that the state of New Jersey had shifted significantly to the left, with Murphy’s win being seen as a rebuke of the incumbent Governor’s policies and a referendum on the state’s economic future. Murphy had campaigned on a platform of job creation and economic prosperity, and his victory showed that the voters had been persuaded by his message.
The results also showed that the third-party candidates had made a significant impact on the election, with the minor-party candidates receiving almost 3% of the vote. This was seen as a sign that the voters were not satisfied with the two major parties and wanted to have their voices heard.
Implications of the Election
The election in New Jersey has wide-reaching implications for both the state and the nation as a whole. On a state level, the election results showed that the voters of New Jersey were ready for change and wanted to move away from the policies of the incumbent Governor. This could have implications for the upcoming 2020 presidential election, as the state could become a battleground state, with both candidates vying for its electoral votes.
On a national level, the election was seen as a bellwether for the 2020 presidential election, as it showed that the voters are ready for a change in leadership and are looking for a candidate who can bring jobs and prosperity to the nation. This could benefit the Democratic Party, as they could use the results of this election as a springboard to victory in 2020.
Conclusion
Overall, the election in New Jersey was a closely watched one, with the results having wide-reaching implications for both the state and the nation. The voters of New Jersey have made their voices heard, and the results of the election could change the course of the nation’s future.
