A special primary for the District 1 seat of the New Jersey State Senate is scheduled for June 4. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 1, and the general election is on November 5, 2019.

 

The seat became vacant after Jeff Van Drew (D) won election to New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House on November 6, 2018. Bob Andrzejczak (D) was appointed to fill the seat until the special election could be held. In New Jersey, special elections coincide with the next general election unless the vacancy occurs within 51 days of the election.

 

Andrzejczak is unopposed in the Democratic primary, and Mike Testa is unopposed in the Republican primary.

 

As of May 29, 55 state legislative special elections have been scheduled or held in 22 states. Between 2011 and 2018, an average of 77 special elections took place each year.

 

Entering the special election, the New Jersey State Senate had 26 Democrats and 14 Republicans. The New Jersey General Assembly had 54 Democrats and 26 Republicans.

New Jersey has a Democratic state government trifecta. A trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and majorities in both state legislative chambers.