With the way this past year has unfolded, it should surprise very few of us that on the day after the 2020 election we’d be left with more questions than answers. Yet at press time for The Jewish Link, that’s precisely where things stood on many critical aspects of the election, with the races for control of the House and Senate, and the presidential race, too close to call.

Some things, though, do appear to be settled.

As many pundits expected, incumbent United States Senator Cory Booker (Democrat) appears to have easily defeated the challenger, Rik Mehta (Republican), by a wide margin (60.5 % vs. 37.8%). This win gives Senator Booker his second six-year term in office. (63% of precincts reporting)

In a much-watched race in NJ’s District 5, incumbent Congressman Josh Gottheimer (Democrat) appears to have overcome the challenge by Frank Pallotta (Republican) by a significant margin (57.8% v 41.2%). This win gives Congressman Gottheimer his third term in the US House of Representatives. (68.56 precincts reporting)

In the race for District 6, incumbent Congressman Frank Pallone (Democrat) appears to have overwhelmingly defeated Christian Onuoha (Republican), by a wide margin (67% v 32.9%). Frank Pallone has served as a New Jersey congressman since 1988. (48.78 precincts reporting)

Rep. Bill Pascrell (Democrat) handily won his re-election in the ninth district, which covers portions of Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties. He received over 67% of the vote, while first time challenger Billy Prempeh (Republican) won 30%.

In a hotly contested race in District 7 that drew statewide attention, incumbent Congressman Tom Malinowski (Democrat) appears to have defeated NJ State Senator Tom Kean (Republican) by a comfortable margin (55.3% v 44.6%). This win gives Congressman Malinowski his second two-year term in Congress. (60.41 precincts reporting)

In the District 11 race, incumbent Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (Democrat) appears to have defeated her challenger, Rosemary Becchi (Republican) by a large margin (58.94% v 41.06%). This win gives Congresswoman Sherill her second two-year term in Congress. (55.81 precincts reporting)

At press time it appears that all three ballot questions in New Jersey passed by strong margins and were called by the Associated Press. The ballot questions asked voters whether or not to legalize recreational marijuana (Yes 67%), to extend veterans’ property tax deductions (Yes 76%) and to delay redistricting if the US Census is delayed (Yes 60%).

In a race watched by The Jewish Link, West Orange Jewish community resident Adam Kraemer (Republican) appears to have lost his race to replace Essex County 4th District Freeholder Leonard M. Luciano (Democrat) by a wide margin (38.1% v 61.9 %).

On November 4 the Star Ledger reported that New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said that the state projects there to be 4.5 million votes once all are counted, adding, “There’s gonna be a record turnout, there’s no question about that.”