GOP Senate leader Bucco wins another term in 25th district

Senate Minority Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-Boonton) has won another term in the Senate, holding onto the Morris County-based 25th legislative district, the New Jersey Globe projects.

As of 12:03 a.m., Bucco has 54% of the vote to Democrat Christine Clarke’s 46%. Bucco’s running mates, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-Mendham) and Christian Barranco (R-Jefferson), have 26.9% and 26.2% of the vote, respectively, against Diane Salvatore and Jon Torres, who have 23.6% and 23.2%; if that margin holds, it would be substantially better for Democrats than expected.

Back in 2020, the 25th district hosted two highly competitive special elections that, unlike standard New Jersey legislative races, were held concurrently with that year’s presidential election, which boosted turnout sky-high. But even though Joe Biden was carrying the district by a decent margin, Bucco and Dunn both won anyway.

Since then, Democrats haven’t really targeted the 25th district again. This year, the Democratic nominees weren’t able to raise much money, and outside Democratic groups declined to come to their aid.

Barranco will now begin his first term representing his new district; he currently represents the more Republican-leaning 26th district, but his hometown of Jefferson was shifted into the 25th district on the state’s new map. And Bucco will continue his role leading the Senate Republican caucus, which he’s done since former Senate Minority Leader Steve Oroho (R-Franklin) stepped down earlier this year.

See all 2023 election results HERE.