The Voter’s Speakeasy

Follow Up on the Results of the 2009 General Election:

The New Jersey State Assembly will hardly change in composition as a result of the election (see our winner’s list). Incumbents ran for re-election in 72 of the 80 seats up for election, winning all of these races. Of the eight open seats, seven were won by a member of the same political party as the incumbent. In District 4, unofficial election results seem to indicate that Republican Dominick DiCicco won an open seat formerly held by a Democrat (freshman Assembly Member Sandra Love). As a result, once the newly-elected officials are sworn in, the party composition of the Assembly will change from 48 Democrats-32 Republicans to 47 Democrats-33 Republicans. While the Democrats will still hold a majority in the Assembly, New Jersey will be losing two key Democratic officials: Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts, who withdrew from the 2009 election, and Governor Jon Corzine, who lost his seat to Republican Chris Christie.

The Virginia House of Delegates had more turnover than the New Jersey State Assembly, but incumbents running for reelection were still victorious 89% of the time (see our winner’s list).  Eight of the Democratic incumbents lost their seats to Republican candidate (Districts 3, 21, 23, 32, 34, 51, 67, and 83), while only one of the Republican incumbents lost their seat to a Democrat (District 93). In addition, one Democratic incumbent lost in the primary election, but the seat was ultimately retained by a Democrat. Of the ten open seats, only one switched to a different party than that of the incumbent: District 52 went from Republican (Jeffrey Frederick) to Democrat (Luke Torian). Though some recounts are still pending, as the results stand now, it appears that Republicans will have a net gain of six seats in the House of Delegates, changing the party composition from 53 Republicans-43 Democrats-2 Independents-2 Vacant Democratic Seats to 59 Republicans-39 Democrats-2 Independents.

Virginia statewide elections also went in favor of the Republican party.  The open Gubernatorial seat, currently held by term-limited Democrat Tim Kaine was handily won by Republican Bob McDonnell with nearly 59% of the vote. The seat of Lieutenant Governor was retained by Republican Bill Bolling and the open seat for Attorney General remained Republican, with current State Senator Ken Cuccinelli set to replace Bill Mims.

In total, there were 185 federal and state seats up for regular election on November 3, 82% of which were retained by incumbents (153 total). Of the 164 incumbents running for reelection, 153 (93%) won. Both independent incumbents won reelection, giving them a 100% win percentage. Only 1 of the 78 Republican incumbents did not win reelection (99% win percentage), while 10 of the 84 Democratic incumbents did not win reelection (88% win percentage).

Special Elections

The open seat for Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court swung Republican with the election of Joan Orie Melvin. Previously, Democrats had 4-3 majority on the court; it is now 3-4, in favor of the Republicans.

The Special Election for the U.S. House seat in New York District 23 resulted in Bill Owens (endorsed by the Democratic Party and Working Families Party) winning a seat previously held by Republican John McHugh. U.S. House District 10 in California (previously held by Democrat Ellen Tauscher) will remain Democratic, with the election of current Lieutenant Governor of California, John Garamendi. Before the election, the party composition of the U.S. House was 256 Democrats-177 Republicans-1 Vacant Republican Seat-1 Vacant Democratic Seat; it is now: 258 Democrats-177 Republicans.

Summary of Party-Changing Seats in this Election:

-1 of 1 Republican U.S. House seats went Democratic (special election)
-2 of 2 Democratic Gubernatorial seats went Republican
-the new office of Lieutenant Governor in New Jersey went Republican
-1 of 1 Democratic State Supreme Court Justice went Republican (special election)
-9 of 93 Democratic House/Assembly seats went Republican
-2 of 85 Republican House/Assembly seats went Democratic

-Kristen Vicedomini, Research Director

Follow-Up on Same-Sex Unions Ballot Measures:

In Maine, the voting populace successfully vetoed the legalization of same-sex marriage (Question 1 on the November 3rd Ballot).  As of yet, no state has passed such a measure by popular vote,  according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

It is doubtful that legislation legalizing same-sex marriage would be signed into law in New Jersey or Virginia once the newly-elected governors take office.   New Jersey Governor-elect Chris Christie has stated:

“While, I have no issue with same sex couples sharing contractual rights, I believe that marriage should remain the exclusive domain of one man and one woman.  If a bill legalizing same sex marriage came to my desk as Governor, I would veto it.” (see the complete text of this issue position)

Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell’s 2009 campaign website lists his position as follows:

“Bob McDonnell believes marriage is the union between one man and one woman.   As a legislator, Bob McDonnell was chief sponsor and author of a constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage (Chief Patron, HJ 187, 2004).  As Attorney General, Bob supported Virginia’s marriage amendment and wrote an official opinion explaining that it would not affect the current legal rights of unmarried persons.”  (see the complete text of this issue position)

Washington’s Referendum 71, on the other hand, seems to have passed by a slim margin.  This will effectively treat domestic partnerships as equal to marriage under the law, except in name.

-Kristen Vicedomini, Research Director

Unofficial results have been coming in across the country for the November 3rd election.  Here are the winners, state-by-state:

California: Congressional District 10

Maine: Ballot Measures

New Jersey: Governor and State Assembly, Ballot Measures

New York: Congressional District 23, Ballot Measures

Ohio: Ballot Measures

Pennsylvania: Justice of the Supreme Court

Texas: Ballot Measures

Virginia: Governor and State House

Washington: Ballot Measures

The Political Courage Test was due last week for state legislative and gubernatorial candidates from New Jersey and Virginia.  The processed Tests are now available on the Project Vote Smart website.  The Test asks one central questions, “Are you willing to tell citizens your positions on the issues you will most likely face on their behalf?”  Following recent trends, the candidates in New Jersey and Virginia answered with a resounding “No.”  Neither Virginia gubernatorial candidate Democrat Creigh Deeds nor Republican Robert McDonnell, after five contacts by Project Vote Smart staff, were willing to tell Virginians where they stand on the issues.  New Jersey gubernatorial candidates faired slightly better with 25% of their crowded field responding.  Only 17% of candidates running for the Virgina state legislature turned in a Political Courage Test.  New Jersey state legislative candidates had a return rate of 14%.  As usual, the failure to tell citizens where they stand on the issues was a bi-partisan affair.

The 2007 editions of the National Political Awareness Test (NPAT) for New Jersey and Virginia have been sent to all candidates for office in these states.

The National Political Awareness Test asks candidates one central question: “Are you willing to tell citizens your positions on the issues you will most likely face on their behalf?” If they answer “yes” we ask them to prove it by responding to a series of questions about these issues.

The Virginia and New Jersey versions of the NPAT included questions regarding the use of eminent domain for the purpose of private development, the employment of undocumented immigrants, smoking bans in the state, the death penalty, access to health care and the licensing of gun possession.

To view the entire Virginia State NPAT please visit: The Virginia State NPAT

To view the entire New Jersey State NPAT please visit: The New Jersey State NPAT

Unfortunately, for the past 10 years response rates to the NPAT have fallen drastically. Until now, we have relied entirely on mainstream media organizations to pressure candidates into responding to the NPAT. This year though, we are hoping to bombard candidates with these requests, from a variety of sources, including bloggers and individual citizens.

The New Jersey version of the NPAT is particularly exciting because for the first time ever the test can be filled out on our website.

I am writing today to encourage you, if you’re from Virginia or New Jersey, or follow Virginia or New Jersey politics to call the candidates for office that are seeking your support and ask them to fill out the NPAT.

The contact information for all of the candidates for office in Virginia can be found at: Virginia State Candidates.

The contact information for all of the candidates for office in New Jersey can be found at: New Jersey State Candidates.