Republican Assemblymen Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan of the 1st Legislative District held the GOP line in Cape May County on an election night in which they faced a serious challenge from two Democrats and in which their party lost ground in Trenton.
Simonsen, with 27.9% of the vote, and McClellan, with 27.7%, turned back Carol Sabo, 22.3%, and Carolyn Rush, 22.1%. The district is composed of all of Cape May County and parts of Cumberland and Atlantic counties.
The two Republicans did considerably better in Cape May than in the other two counties, outpolling the Democrats by better than 10%. But two years ago Simonsen and McClellan won by a 2 to 1 margin.
Their victory Nov. 4 came in an election that saw Democrat Mikie Sherrill easily defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli for the governorship and the Democrats gaining at least three seats in the Assembly, which they already were dominating by a 52-28 margin.
CapeGOP Chairman Michael Donohue issued a statement describing election night as a “tough night throughout New Jersey.”
Donohue said that while the Republican Party took hits in the state and the nation, Cape May County was a fortress. “And we will continue to man the walls. We will fight on,” he said.
Simonsen said being elected to the Assembly for the fourth time was humbling and would prompt him and McClellan to continue working hard for the district. He said that while not everyone voted for them, they represent all residents of the district.
“It’s a lot of work, but we represent everybody, and it’s a good feeling when people are happy with the work you are doing, and we will continue to work more,” he said.
Simonsen said the work won’t be any easier with fewer Republicans in the Assembly, but he and McClellan are already used to working across party lines.
“Antwan and I have always worked across the aisle. We have to find ways to get it done,” he said.
He said he and McClellan would continue to work to get good legislation passed and to thwart the bad legislation, such as the bill that would require tipped employees to earn minimum wage before tips, a bill doing away with tax credits for solar power, and any bill promoting offshore wind power. He said the state needs to incentivize more people to use solar power.
McClellan could not be reached for comment.
Sabo, when contacted on Wednesday, said, “In my race I made them sweat a little bit.”
She expressed hope that the state would reevaluate the school funding formula to ensure it is fair and equitable, and hopes to see more alternative energy opportunities over the next four years.
Rush, while optimistic about the state overall, feels the residents of Cape May County are out of touch with the rest of New Jersey. She said she doesn’t believe there was anything she could have done to attract Republican voters, who she said simply follow the party line. “The Republican Party in the district is not really concerned about improving the lives of those most in need,” she said.
“Democrats won’t win in this area until Democratic people move into the area. But I am more happy about Mikie’s win than I am sad about my loss. That’s more important for the state.”
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
