Close Assembly races, like Dunn vs. Draeger, are not unusual

New Jersey is accustomed to razor-thin pluralities in State Assembly races, like the special election in the 25th district where Democrat Darcy Draeger currently lead Republican Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-Mendham) by 865 votes in slow-counting Morris County.

Three contests over the last seven years have been won by margins of under 80 votes.

In 2015, Democrat Andrew Zwicker (D-South Brunswick) ousted Republican incumbent Donna Simon (R-Readington) by 78 votes, 16,308 to 16,230 in the 16th district.

Democrat Vincent Mazzeo (D-Northfield) defeated GOP Assemblyman John Amodeo (R-Margate) in the 2nd district by a mere 40 votes in 2013, 25,164 to 25,124.

In the 38th in 2013, Democrat Tim Eustace (D-Maywood) was re-elected by 56 votes against Republican Joseph Scarpa.

Two years ago, Republican Ryan Peters (R-Hainesport) won an open Assembly seat by 350 votes in 2017.  His margin was much bigger in 2019.

In 2003, Democrat Fred Madden (D-Washington Township) unseated Republican State Sen. George Geist (R-Gloucester Township) by just 63 votes, 50.08%-49.92%.  Declan O’Scanlon (R-Little Silver), now a state senator, lost his first Assembly race in 2005 by 65 votes against Assemblyman Michael Panter (D-Shrewsbury).

Democrat Rosemarie Totaro (D-Denville), the last Democrat to hold the 25th district Assembly seat, won her 1973 race against John Dorsey (R-Boonton) by 903 votes.  Two years later, Totaro was defeated by 580 votes against Republican James Barry (R-Harding).

(Totaro came back and won the seat again in 1977 and then lost it in 1979.)

Since this is a special election to fill an unexpired term, the winner can be sworn in a soon as county clerks certify the numbers and the state Board of Canvassers meet to certify the election.