Big name Democrats raising money for Mehta

Some of New Jersey’s top Democrats are stepping up their financial support of Rupande Mehta for State Senate in the 25th district against incumbent Anthony M. Bucco (R-Boonton).

First Lady Tammy Murphy and Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) will headline a Women’s Equality Day fundraiser for Mehta.  Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg is on the host committee, along with state Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro) and Assemblywomen Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Englewood), Shavonda Sumter (D-Paterson) and Joann Downey (D-Freehold).

Senate President Steve Sweeney will host a Mehta fundraiser on September 7.

A September 24 Mehta fundraiser will feature Gov. Phil Murphy, along with Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch) and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

Senate Majority Conference Leader Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch) is also planning a fundraiser for Mehta.

Bucco won a special election convention last year following the death of his father, State Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R-Boonton), last year.  He and Mehta will face-off in a November special election to fill the remaining fourteen months of the late senator’s term.

The 25th has not elected a Democrat since 1977, but there have been some close legislative races over the last two cycles.

By a 54%-45% margin, the district voted for Mitt Romney in 2012, but gave Hillary Clinton a narrow 18 votes in 2016.  Democratic congressional candidates combined for a 9,479-vote win in 2018.