Outgoing Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Paul Kanitra was elected to one of two open N.J. Assembly seats for New Jersey’s 10th Legislative District on Tuesday night, filling an open seat left by Assemblyman John Catalano, who ran for Brick Township mayor, but lost. All numbers were current as of press time Thursday.
In Ocean County, Mr. Kanitra, a Republican, received 29,618 votes, according to unofficial tallies released by the Ocean County Clerk’s office. In Monmouth County, according to the clerk’s office’s unofficial tallies, he received 4,091 votes, for a total of 33,709. Incumbent Greg McGuckin, also a Republican, received 34,403 total votes in both counties, retaining his seat.
In both counties, Democrat Emma Mammano received 18,190 votes, and Democrat John LaMacchia received 17,584 votes. Write-in candidates received 120 total votes.
Incumbent Republican state Senator Jim Holzapfel, was also reelected, garnering 35,383 votes in the district to Democratic challenger Jeff Horn’s 17,648.
In LD11, which is comprised of a central tract of Monmouth County municipalities including Bradley Beach, incumbent Democratic state Senator Vin Gopal handily won a third term in the chamber. Sen. Gopal received 32,885 votes, while his Republican challenger Stephen Dnistrian received 21,683 votes.
For the 11th district’s Assembly races, the two open seats were also filled by Democrats, who challenged Republican incumbents: Margie Donlon with 30,608 votes and Luanne Peterpaul with 30,260. Ms. Peterpaul is the first openly LGBTQ+ woman elected to serve in the New Jersey State Assembly.
Incumbent Republicans Marilyn Piperno and Kim Eulner were unseated, garnering 23,700 and 23,501 votes, respectively.
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