Joe Lukac Archives - New Jersey Globe

Republican Clinton councilman launches Assembly bid in LD16

January 31, 2023 3:11 pm

Clinton Town Councilman Ross Traphagen announced his bid for the Assembly in the 16th legislative district today, potentially giving Republicans one of their nominees in the competitive seat. “I am deeply concerned about the future of our state. New Jersey...

Where New Jersey’s legislative races stand with nearly all votes counted

November 11, 2021 2:35 pmJanuary 17, 2022 11:10 pm

Today marks nine days since last Tuesday’s tumultuous election, in which Jack Ciattarelli came uncomfortably close to upsetting Gov. Phil Murphy and Democrats faced unexpected legislative losses. Not every vote has been counted, nor has every result been determined –...

16th district Republicans fight to stanch the bleeding

October 27, 2021 12:01 amOctober 27, 2021 9:59 am

Republicans in the 16th legislative district have not had a good decade. The first blow came in 2011, when the state went through its post-Census redistricting cycle. The 16th district had long been a Somerset County-based district, and thus had...

Panico, Lukac attack Freiman over debt defeasance bill

June 23, 2021 9:36 amJune 23, 2021 9:45 am

Republican Assembly candidates in the 16th district took aim at Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-Hillsborough) over a bill appropriating $2.5 billion to pay own past debt accrued in New Jersey. “Roy Freiman preaching fiscal responsibility is like asking Mike Tyson to...

Zwicker laps Pappas on fundraising 11 times over

May 20, 2021 3:24 pmMay 20, 2021 3:40 pm

Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-South Brunswick) raised more than 11 times as much money as his Republican opponent, former Rep. Michael Pappas, 29-day pre-election reports filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission show. The Democrat brought in $149,060.60 through...

Pappas slate attacks Zwicker, Freiman over Murphy appearance

May 7, 2021 12:34 pm

Republican challengers in the 16th legislative district attacked Assembly incumbents Roy Freiman (D-Hillsborough) and Andrew Zwicker (D-South Brunswick) over an appearance with Gov. Phil Murphy at a Flemington vaccination clinic, charging the event was political stunt. “Governor Murphy is making...

Pappas, slate attack District 16 Democrats over slow economic recovery

April 30, 2021 10:05 am

Republican candidates in the 16th legislative district attacked their Democratic rivals over the state’s laggard economic recovery Friday. “Assemblymen Zwicker, Freiman and Mayor Jaffer are politicians that are part of the problem. They dumped 100% of the pain of the...