The New Jersey Globe projects that three Democratic incumbents have won re-election to countywide office in Somerset County, fending off a strong Republican challenge that aimed to return the county to its Republican roots.
As of 1:25 a.m., Commissioner Melonie Marano leads Amber Murad 53%-47%; County Clerk Steve Peter leads Suzanne Maeder 53%-47%; and Sheriff Darrin Russo leads John Sheridan 54%-46%.
Republicans controlled Somerset County until 2019, when Democratic gains in the Trump era finally caught up to countywide Republicans. The board of commissioners went from 5-0 Republican to 5-0 Democrat in just three years between 2018 and 2019.
In 2021, Republicans came close to regain a foothold, with two Democratic commissioners just barely winning re-election. That energized Republicans to try and flip the offices up this year, but in less of a favorable environment, they fell short.