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8/14/2019 Amy Giubilo - Lead Mallory Pazder Supporting Mood Of

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Amy Giubilo - LeadMallory Pazder SupportingMood of the Parties

Christie wins gubernatorial election

HAMILTON, N.J As the polls came to a close and the final votes were

tallied Tuesday night, many Republicans celebrated while Democrats gave

support to their new governor, Chris Christie.

The Republicans of Mercer County convened in the newly opened

Hamilton Manor, where spirits were high. The Mercer County Democrats chose

Angelonis Cedar Gardens on Route 33 in Hamilton to watch the results of the

race for governor.

Each political campaign party was filled with optimism, hope and support

while the polls and mail-in vote results came in throughout the night. The

Democrats were aware of the numbers, but that did not dash their hopes for the

campaign or their candidate.

This year has been a great turnout, said Democratic Mercer County

Freeholder John Cimino on Tuesday night. The numbers are looking good state

and county level wise, but not local. Were still giving hope because our local

numbers are not as high as we would like them to be.

Compared to previous political campaigns, Cimino deemed this years

turnout a success, in terms of supporters.

It is a very strong turnout, but I cannot compare it to last year, he said.

Last year was historical with President Obama running and his winning the

election was a once in a generation type of event.


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While the Democrats attempted to remain optimistic about low numbers,

Mercer County Republicans had much to celebrate. Republican Councilmen Tom

Goodwin, Dave Kenny and Dennis Pone beat their Democratic opponents and

were re-elected, stating the promise that not only would Hamilton residents not

see a raise in taxes, but also that a new budget plan is in order. Pone made it

clear to the attendees of the party that he and his running mates were thrilled

with the results and cannot wait to serve another four years on the council.

As people gathered around tables and discussed the numbers, many

Democrats waited patiently.

Waiting for the results sometimes is like waiting for the World Series to

end, said Bonnie Geibil of Hamilton Township. It is too early to tell about the

numbers and who will win this election, but I know we have to be hopeful. I would

like [Democratic incumbent Gov. Jon] Corzine to win against Chris Christie

because he stands for what I think is right.

According to some polls, this election has seen a surge in the number of

people who consider themselves Independents, and the mainstream support for

the party seems to be growing.

We as Democrats understand that it is easier to sway an Independents

vote, and if we do, we can win them over, said Aileen Thorton, a Democrat from

Hamilton Township. Democrats outnumber Republicans in New Jersey, but if we

have more Independents voting for us, it just betters our chances.


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As the Democrats counted votes and hoped for the best, they paid close

attention to the numbers rolling in from Bergen County, a deciding county in the

gubernatorial race.

We could have done more in Bergen County to be honest, Thorton said.

Whoever wins Bergen, will win this race, and I am hoping that even though we

should have done more, that it does not affect our numbers.

Numbers in general were a concern for individuals from both parties, as

Republicans seemed disappointed with the voter turnout. Increasingly, New

Jerseyans have become less interested in politics due to a lack of leadership

from both parties, according to Republican Dave Fried, mayor of Robbinsville,

N.J. Fried also claimed that more than 80 percent of New Jersey residents

believe the state is headed in the wrong direction.

If there is one thing both political parties can agree on, its the importance

of voting and understanding politics at every level.

Understanding politics is important on each level, but understanding it on

a local level is more personal and direct, Thorton said. Whether you are a

Democrat, Republican or have just recently become an Independent, it is very

important to just be involved in your local politics.

With updates every 20 minutes, the Republicans found themselves

leading the polls throughout the night in the race for governor. These results

thrilled Republican Party loyalists, who have been lobbying for a change in

leadership since Corzines election in 2005. However, some Republicans were


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concerned with Corzine helping the Independent candidate Chris Daggett

financially.

The Democrats subsidized Independent candidate, Chris Daggetts

campaign, said Republican Mayor John Bencivengo of Hamilton Township.

Financial support was a heavy topic for the Republican Party, because

Corzine had spent a large amount of money for his campaign. Fried and

Bencivengo, as Republicans, were rooting for Christie to be elected New

Jerseys governor. Regardless of their party affiliation, both men reiterated the

fact that they are disgusted by the money Corzine has spent on his campaign

over the past year.

He spent $25 million of his own money; its embarrassing, Bencivengo

said.

According to both men, the excessive spending of Corzine outweighed the

$9 million that Christie spent on his campaign.

Fried also claimed that this extreme spending is what causes people to

believe that only the rich are able to become elected officials, when, in the past,

every individual had an equal opportunity.

According to New Jersey Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells, the state

has 5.22 million registered voters, which is a decrease from the 5.35 million that

voted in the 2008 presidential election.

Bencivengo blames the decline in voting on the negativity races tend to

focus on today.


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If people dont want to vote, they wont, plain and simple, Bencivengo

said. People are appalled with the races and the negative campaigns have

become out of control. They discourage people from practicing their right to vote

in American society.

While some are disappointed with the recent campaign practices, it didnt

fully discourage New Jerseyans from voting. The numbers were slowly coming in

and at the end of the night the next governor of New Jersey was announced.

The celebration is the climax of the campaign, said Geibil. I wish

Corzine did win, but now I just have to hope that Christie will live up to his

potential that the Republicans say he has.

Young Republicans also voiced their delight in finding that their candidate

had prevailed, and they hope that his potential will also come to light.

Maybe there will finally be some positive changes in this states income

tax situation, said Kristal Koncz, a 29-year-old Hamilton Republican. Its about

time something is done to improve living here.

Chris Mazzella, a young Christie supporter, agreed.

Corzine has absolutely ruined the state of New Jersey, he said. I am

graduating from college this year, hoping Christie is able to make a turnaround

with the unemployment rate.

One thing was made clear to Christie from both political parties he will

receive nothing but support from his fellow citizens.

No matter who wins this election tonight, we must support them and

support New Jersey, said County Executive Brian Hughes, a Democrat.

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