Tucker, Onyema win in LD-28; Hall loses seat

Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark) and Chigozie Onyema, the co-chair of Newark’s West Ward Democratic Committee and a former city council candidate, won the Democratic nominations for Assembly in the 28th legislative district, setting them on a glide path to Trenton. 

Assemblywoman Garnet Hall (D-Maplewood), who ran on Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s Democrats for Change slate, became the first incumbent to lose a primary challenge on Election Night.

As of 11:15 p.m., Tucker was leading the trio with 13,070 votes. Onyema had garnered 12,349, while Hall trailed with 8,115. The 28th includes parts of Essex and Union counties, and is anchored by a portion of Newark.

Onyema was the only candidate to initially win the party endorsements in both Essex and Union counties and could be a rising star in the 28th district. 

There was some speculation that the 82-year-old Tucker would retire because of low fundraising totals, but she ran and earned the endorsement of Essex County Democrats. 

By any measure, Hall’s path to Election Day was bizarre. The assemblywoman initially said she wouldn’t seek re-election, but changed her mind and decided to run on Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s Democrats for Change slate. 

After filing day, the GOP side of the 28th district primary experienced an instance of mutually assured destruction: first-time candidate Toye Kumolu challenged the signatures of party-backed candidates Che Colter and Willie Jetti, while the Assembly GOP campaign arm challenged Kumolu’s in return, leading to all three being booted off and leaving Republicans without anyone on the primary ballot.