Republicans field candidates in unwinnable Essex districts

Republicans have fielded full slates of candidates in two Newark-based districts unlosable for the Democrats.

Philip Wilson will challenge State Sen. Renee Burgess (D-Irvington) in the 28th; Assembly candidates Joy Freeman and Willie S. Jetti will face the winners of a three-way Democratic primary between incumbent Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark) and Deputy Essex County Clerk Garnet Hall of Maplewood, the organization candidates, and former Maplewood Mayor Frank McGehee, who is running off the line.

Freeman won 22% of the vote against Burgess in a special election for the Senate last year.

The GOP is running Maritza Matthews against Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark) in the 29th district.  Noble Milton and Orlando Mendez are the Republican candidates for Assembly against incumbents Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Newark) and Shanique Speight (D-Newark).

Russell Mollica, a Bloomfield man who won 23% of the vote against State Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Newark) in 2011, will challenge Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake (D-East Orange) for an open Senate seat in the new 34th district.