2023 New Jersey Senate election

The 2023 New Jersey State Senate elections were held on November 7, 2023. New Jersey voters elected state senators in all of the state's legislative districts for a four-year term to the New Jersey Senate. This was the first election after redistricting following the 2020 United States census. The winners of these elections were sworn in on January 9, 2024.

Democrats retained their 25-15 majority over Republicans. Democrats flipped one seat, the 3rd district. Republicans flipped the 12th district from an elected Republican who became a Democrat in February 2023.

Democratic

 * Richard Codey, District 27 (withdrew after renomination)
 * Sandra Bolden Cunningham, District 31
 * Fred H. Madden, District 4
 * Nicholas Sacco, District 32 (redistricted into District 33)
 * Samuel D. Thompson, District 12 (previously elected as a Republican)

Republican

 * Christopher J. Connors, District 9
 * Steve Oroho, District 24
 * Jean Stanfield, District 8

In addition, two members who were elected in the last election in 2021 left office before the election: Ronald Rice (D-28th, resigned; deceased) and Michael J. Doherty, (R-23rd, resigned).

In primary election
One incumbent senator, a Democrat, was defeated in a redistricting race in the June 6 primary election.

Democratic

 * Nia Gill, District 27 (redistricted from District 34; lost party endorsement)

In general election
One incumbent senator, a Republican, was defeated in the November 7 general election.

Republican

 * Ed Durr, District 3

Close races
Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
 * 1) District 8, 2.0%
 * 2) District 25, 5.4%
 * 3) District 21, 7.0%
 * 4) District 3, 7.2% gain
 * 5) District 2, 7.4%
 * 6) District 39, 9.8%
 * 7) District 4, 10.0%

District 1
The incumbent is Republican Michael Testa who was re-elected with 64.59% of the vote in 2021. Donald Trump won this district with 51.61% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Michael Testa, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Charles R. LaSpata, electrician

District 2
The incumbent is Republican Vince Polistina who was elected with 51.87% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 55.43% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Vince Polistina, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Caren Fitzpatrick, Atlantic County Commissioner and nominee for New Jersey's 2nd assembly district in 2021 (previously filed to run for General Assembly)

Withdrawn

 * Victor Carmona, Pleasantville Councilmember

Declined

 * Harvey Kesselman, President of Stockton University (2016–present)
 * Vince Mazzeo, former New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 2nd district (2014–2022) and nominee for this seat in 2021

District 3
The incumbent is Republican Edward Durr who was elected in an upset with 51.68% of the vote in 2021. Donald Trump won this district with 50.71% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Edward Durr, incumbent state senator

Eliminated in primary

 * Beth Sawyer, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 3rd district (2022–present)

Withdrawn

 * Mickey Ostrum, Salem County Commissioner

Nominee

 * John J. Burzichelli, former New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 3rd district (2002–2022)

Eliminated in primary

 * Mario De Santis, public school teacher and candidate for New Jersey's 1st congressional district in 2022

Declined

 * Stephen Sweeney, former New Jersey State Senator from the 3rd district (2002–2022)

District 4
The incumbent is Democrat Fred H. Madden who was re-elected with 54.42% of the vote in 2021 and will not be seeking re-election. Joe Biden won this district with 52.96% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Paul D. Moriarty, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 4th district (2006–present)

Declined

 * Fred H. Madden, incumbent state senator
 * Gabriela Mosquera, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 4th district (2012–present)

Nominee

 * Christopher Del Borrello, former Washington Township Councilmember

Eliminated in primary

 * Nicholas DeSilvio, Gloucester County Commissioner

District 5
The incumbent is Democrat Nilsa Cruz-Perez who was re-elected with 57.70% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 68.05% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Nilsa Cruz-Perez, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Clyde E. Cook, former Woodlynne Councilmember

District 6
The incumbent is Democrat James Beach who was re-elected with 64.85% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 65.74% in 2020.

Nominee

 * James Beach, incumbent state senator

Republican primary
Following the primary, Lofland withdrew from the general election on August 28. Mark Doogan was selected as a replacement candidate on August 31.

Disqualified

 * Matthew Asman

District 7
The incumbent is Democrat Troy Singleton who was re-elected with 62.29% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 65.27% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Troy Singleton, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * James Fazzone, former mayor of Burlington City

District 8
The incumbent is Republican Jean Stanfield who was elected with 51.11% of the vote in 2021 and did not seek re-election. Joe Biden won this district with 51.75% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Latham Tiver, former Burlington County Commissioner

Withdrawn

 * Will Monk, Mount Holly school board member

Declined

 * Sean Earlen, Chair of the Burlington County Republican Party and former mayor of Lumberton
 * Ryan Peters, former New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 8th district (2018–2022)
 * Jean Stanfield, incumbent state senator
 * Michael Torrissi, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 8th district (2022–present) (endorsed Tiver; running for re-election)
 * Brandon Umba, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 8th district (2022–present) (endorsed Tiver; running for re-election)

Nominee

 * Gaye Burton, former Pemberton Council President

Eliminated at convention

 * Janet DiFolco, Mount Holly Board of Education member

Withdrawn

 * Heather Cooper, Evesham Township Councilmember

Declined

 * Odise Carr, Burlington County Undersheriff
 * Raymond Coxe, candidate for Medford Council in 2023
 * Primo Cruz, attorney
 * Allison Eckel, Burlington County Commissioner and nominee for New Jersey's 8th assembly district in 2021
 * Anna Evans, Hainesport Township Committeemember
 * Patricia Hansen, Evesham Township Deputy Mayor
 * Ron Jaworski, former NFL player
 * Andrea Katz, Chesterfield Township Democratic Municipal Chair (running for State Assembly)
 * Gina LaPlaca, Deputy Mayor of Lumberton and nominee for New Jersey's 8th assembly district in 2019
 * Mark Natale, former Evesham Township Democratic Municipal Chair and nominee for New Jersey's 8th assembly district in 2021
 * Rue Ryan, Lumberton Committeemember
 * Jaclyn Veasy, Mayor of Evesham Township

District 9
The incumbent is Republican Christopher J. Connors who was re-elected with 69.40% of the vote in 2021 and will not be seeking re-election. Donald Trump won this district with 62.16% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Carmen Amato, Mayor of Berkeley Township

Declined

 * John Bacchione, Berkeley Township Councilmember
 * James Byrnes, Berkeley Township Councilmember (ran for State Assembly)
 * Christopher J. Connors, incumbent state senator
 * Ray Gormley, Little Egg Harbor Township Committeemember
 * DiAnne Gove, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 8th district (2009–present) (endorsed Amato; ran for re-election)
 * John P. Kelly, Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners and former mayor of Eagleswood Township
 * Greg Myhre, Mayor of Stafford Township (running for State Assembly)
 * John Novak, former mayor of Barnegat Township (ran for State Assembly)
 * Brian E. Rumpf, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 8th district (2003–present) (endorsed Amato; running for re-election)

Nominee

 * Gabriel Franco, Little Egg Harbor Township Democratic Municipal Chair

District 10
The incumbent is Republican Jim Holzapfel who was re-elected with 68.99% of the vote in 2021. Donald Trump won this district with 60.34% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Jim Holzapfel, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Jeff Horn, Toms River Democratic Municipal Chair

District 11
The incumbent is Democrat Vin Gopal who was re-elected with 51.88% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 56.18% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Vin Gopal, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Steve Dnistrian, former COO of Omnicom

Withdrawn

 * Sara Haleva, business owner

Declined

 * Tom Arnone, Director of the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners
 * Kimberly Eulner, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 11th district (2022–present) (running for re-election)
 * Christine Hanlon, Monmouth County Clerk
 * Marilyn Piperno, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 11th district (2022–present) (running for re-election)
 * Frank Rizzuto, Colts Neck Township Committeemember
 * Brian J. Thomas, President of the Neptune City Council

District 12
Incumbent Democrat Samuel D. Thompson was re-elected as a Republican with 64.94% of the vote in 2021. He switched parties in February 2023. Donald Trump won this district with 56.48% of the vote in 2020.

Nominee

 * Owen Henry, Mayor of Old Bridge Township

Nominee

 * Brandon Rose, member of the New Jersey State Parole Board

Withdrawn

 * Samuel D. Thompson, incumbent state senator

District 13
The incumbent is Republican Declan O'Scanlon who was re-elected with 61.45% of the vote in 2021. Donald Trump won this district with 52.82% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Declan O'Scanlon, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Lucille Lo Sapio, candidate for Hazlet Township Committee

District 14
The incumbent is Democrat Linda R. Greenstein who was re-elected with 55.16% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 58.69% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Linda R. Greenstein, incumbent state senator

Declined

 * Wayne DeAngelo, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 14th district (2008–present) (endorsed Greenstein; running for re-election)

Nominee

 * Pat Johnson, medical professional and nominee for New Jersey's 15th assembly district in 2021

District 15
The incumbent is Democrat Shirley K. Turner who was re-elected with 72.18% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 73.29% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Shirley K. Turner, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Roger Locandro, former mayor of Delaware Township

District 16
The incumbent is Democrat Andrew Zwicker who was elected with 53.32% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 59.64% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Andrew Zwicker, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Michael Pappas, former U.S. representative from New Jersey's 12th congressional district (1997–1999) and nominee for this seat in 2021

District 17
The incumbent is Democrat Bob Smith who was re-elected with 69.11% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 72.43% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Bob Smith, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * William P. Mikita Jr.

District 18
The incumbent is Democrat Patrick J. Diegnan who was re-elected with 60.63% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 60.48% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Patrick J. Diegnan, incumbent state senator

Eliminated in primary

 * Christopher Binetti, professor

Nominee

 * Neal Shah

District 19
The incumbent is Democrat Joseph F. Vitale who was re-elected with 59.90% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 59.16% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Joseph F. Vitale, incumbent state senator

Eliminated in primary

 * Michelle Burwell, former New Jersey Department of Children and Families Supervisor

Nominee

 * Maria Garcia

District 20
The incumbent is Democrat Joseph Cryan who was re-elected unopposed in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 71.03% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Joseph Cryan, incumbent state senator

Eliminated in primary

 * Angela Alvey-Wimbush, Roselle Board of Education member

Nominee

 * Carmen Bucco, candidate for Union County Commissioner

District 21
The incumbent is Republican Jon Bramnick who was elected with 53.65% of the vote in 2021 after serving 20 years in the New Jersey State Assembly. Joe Biden won this district with 58.07% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Jon Bramnick, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Matt Marino, former Bernardsville Councilman (appointed), former Catholic school teacher, regulatory compliance officer, actor, and local peach expert.

District 22
The incumbent is Democrat Nicholas P. Scutari who was re-elected with 61.45% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 67.26% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Nicholas P. Scutari, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * William H. Michelson, Plainfield Republican Municipal Chair

District 23
The incumbent is Republican Doug Steinhardt who was elected to the seat unopposed at a special convention in December 2022. Donald Trump won this district with 51.92% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Doug Steinhardt, incumbent senator

Nominee

 * Denise King, nominee for this seat in 2021 and nominee for New Jersey's 23rd assembly district in 2019

Eliminated in primary

 * Roger Bacon, perennial candidate

District 24
The incumbent is Republican Steve Oroho who was re-elected with 69.37% of the vote in 2021 and will not be seeking re-election. Donald Trump won this district with 56.17% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Parker Space, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 24th district (2013–present)

Withdrawn

 * Steve Lonegan, former mayor of Bogota (1996–2007), candidate for New Jersey's 5th congressional district in 2018, candidate for New Jersey's 3rd congressional district in 2014, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2013, and candidate for Governor of New Jersey in 2005 and 2009 (previously filed to run for State Assembly)
 * Steve Oroho, incumbent state senator (endorsed Space)

Nominee

 * Edmund Khanoo, finance executive for Planned Parenthood

District 25
The incumbent is Republican Anthony M. Bucco who was re-elected with 57.47% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 52.52% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Anthony M. Bucco, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Christine Clarke, environmental activist

District 26
The incumbent is Republican Joe Pennacchio who was re-elected with 58.94% of the vote in 2021. Donald Trump won this district with 50.02% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Joe Pennacchio, incumbent state senator

Eliminated in primary

 * Tom Mastrangelo, Morris County Commissioner and candidate for New Jersey's 26th assembly district in 2021

Nominee

 * Joan Waks, nominee for New Jersey's 34th assembly district in 1995 and nominee for New Jersey's 34th senate district in 1997

District 27
The incumbent is Democrat Richard Codey who was re-elected with 64.87% of the vote in 2021 and is not seeking reelection. Joe Biden won this district with 70.61% in 2020.

Nominee

 * John F. McKeon, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 27th district (2002–present)

Eliminated in primary

 * Nia H. Gill, incumbent senator from the 34th district

Withdrawn

 * Richard Codey, incumbent state senator

Declined

 * Thomas P. Giblin, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 34th district (2006–present)
 * Brendan Gill, Essex County Commissioner (ran for State Assembly)
 * Sean Spiller, Mayor of Montclair (2020–present)

District 28
The incumbent is Democrat Renee Burgess who was chosen to fill the seat after Ron Rice stepped down due to health issues. Joe Biden won this district with 92.07% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Renee Burgess, incumbent state senator

District 29
The incumbent is Democrat M. Teresa Ruiz who was re-elected unopposed in 2021. Joe Biden who this district with 80.82% in 2020.

Nominee

 * M. Teresa Ruiz, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Maritza Mathews

District 30
The incumbent is Republican Robert W. Singer who was re-elected with 71.19% of the vote in 2021. Donald Trump won this district with 67.27% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Robert W. Singer, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Stephen Dobbins, businessman and candidate for New Jersey's 30th assembly district in 2021

District 31
The incumbent is Democrat Sandra Bolden Cunningham who was re-elected with 75.28% of the vote in 2021 and is not seeking re-election. Joe Biden won this district with 72.12% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Angela V. McKnight, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 31st district (2016–present)

Eliminated in primary

 * Michael Griffin, activist

Declined

 * Sandra Bolden Cunningham, incumbent state senator
 * Bill O'Dea, Hudson County Commissioner
 * Denise Ridley, Jersey City Councilmember
 * Jerry Walker, Hudson County Commissioner
 * Joyce Watterman, Jersey City Council President

Nominee

 * Luis Soto, businessman

District 32
The incumbent is Democrat Nicholas Sacco who was re-elected with 71.17% of the vote in 2021. He was redistricted to the 33rd following redistricting and did not seek reelection. Joe Biden won this district with 77.86% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Raj Mukherji, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 33rd district (2014–present)

Nominee

 * Ilyas Mohammed

District 33
The incumbent is Democrat Brian P. Stack who was re-elected with 85.14% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 68.10% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Brian P. Stack, incumbent state senator

Declined

 * Nicholas Sacco, incumbent senator from the 32nd district (endorsed Stack)

Republican primary
No Republicans filed.

District 34
Incumbent Democrat Nia H. Gill was re-elected with 78.73% of the vote in 2021. She was redistricted to the 27th following redistricting and defeated in the primary. Joe Biden won this district with 75.38% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Britnee Timberlake, New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 34th district (2018–present)

District 35
The incumbent is Democrat Nelida Pou who was re-elected with 68.59% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 70.22% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Nelida Pou, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Christopher Faustino

District 36
The incumbent is Democrat Paul A. Sarlo who was re-elected with 56.86% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 56.39% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Paul A. Sarlo, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Chris Auriemma, nominee for this seat in 2021

District 37
The incumbent is Democrat Gordon M. Johnson who was elected with 67.04% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 69.84% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Gordon M. Johnson, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Dierdre Paul, nominee for New Jersey's 9th congressional district in 2014

District 38
The incumbent is Democrat Joseph A. Lagana who was re-elected with 52.90% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 56.63% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Joseph A. Lagana, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Micheline Attieh, businesswoman

Declined

 * Robert Kaiser, Paramus Councilmember
 * Guy Talarico, former New Jersey General Assemblymember from the 38th district (1997–2002)

District 39
The incumbent is Republican Holly Schepisi who was re-elected with 57.16% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 52.72% in 2020.

Nominee

 * Holly Schepisi, incumbent state senator

Withdrawn

 * Michele LaTour, Northern Valley Regional High School District Board of Education member

Nominee

 * Jodi Murphy, former Westwood Councilmember

District 40
The incumbent is Republican Kristin M. Corrado who was re-elected with 60.97% of the vote in 2021. Joe Biden won this district with 50.24% in 2020

Nominee

 * Kristin M. Corrado, incumbent state senator

Nominee

 * Jennifer Ehrentraut, Hawthorne School Board member