Wimberly, Abdelaziz, Stewart win in LD35

A trio of Democrats won election in the Paterson-anchored 35th legislative district, the New Jersey Globe projects.

State Sen. Benjie Wimberly (D-Paterson) won the state’s sole Senate election this year; a special election was held to fill the unexpired term of Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon), who left the Legislature to succeed the late Rep. Bill Pascrell. Meanwhile, Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz (D-Paterson) and Newark Corporation Counsel Kenyatta Stewart won the district’s Assembly seats.

Wimberly temporarily filled the Senate seat in a special convention earlier this year, which he won narrowly over his districtmate, Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-North Haledon). After the loss, Sumter decided not to run for re-election.

Passaic County Democrats decided to support Passaic County Commissioner Orlando Cruz (D-Paterson) alongside Abdelaziz, but the lack of the county line gave a prime opportunity to Stewart and former Garfield Councilman Romi Herrera, who ran on Steve Fulop’s slate of Assembly candidates.

Stewart’s allyship with Baraka gave him a distinct advantage in the district. The Newark mayor performed well with Black and Hispanic voters throughout the state, including the 35th, which is 52% Hispanic and 22% Black. Stewart finished first in the primary, and the incumbent Abdelaziz snagged the second nomination ahead of Cruz.

Though the district has shifted right in recent years, it was never in play for Republicans.