News 12 Staff

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Nov 8, 2023, 8:14 AM

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Updated

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New Jersey’s Legislature has 40 total districts, with each sending one senator and two Assembly members to Trenton.

The 11th District was among the most closely watched races because of its conservative lean and the campaigns were some of the most expensive.

VOTE 2023: Complete results and coverage in New Jersey

Republican challenger Steve Dnistrian was hoping to topple incumbent Vin Gopal. But the Senate seat and the two Assembly spots previously controlled by the GOP went to democrats. One of those assembly seats went to Luanne Peterpaul who made history in the process.

MORE: Democratic incumbent Vin Gopal holds on to Senate seat in competitive New Jersey coastal district

New Jersey voters in the 11th Legislative District elected an openly LGBTQ woman to the state Legislature for the first time. Peterpaul is a former county prosecutor and the former chair of Garden State Equality.

Peterpaul shares her win with Margie Donlon, a doctor and deputy mayor of Ocean County, unseating republicans Kim Eulner and Marilyn Piperno.

MORE: Democrats fight off Senate challenge, pick up Assembly seats in New Jersey