Hardcore political junkies on the national scene are excited about Tuesday's midterm elections. Republicans are certain they'll maintain a House majority, and hopeful they can take control of the U.S. Senate. One New Jersey political expert, however, said the results will not really impact the average Garden State resident.

Newly elected U.S. Senator Cory Booker (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Newly elected U.S. Senator Cory Booker (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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"Life may change and it may not change, but it won't be as a result of these elections," said Peter Woolley, professor of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson University. "It'll be as a result of the direction the economy takes, the direction ISIS takes, the direction Ebola takes, the direction Wall Street takes."

Incumbent U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) is expected to beat Republican challenger Jeff Bell in a landslide, and the makeup of New Jersey's congressional delegation is not likely to change. Experts predict Republicans will win the six seats they currently hold, while Democrats will win the five they have and regain the 1st District seat vacated by Democratic Rep. Rob Andrews.

The most recent statistics compiled by the Tax Foundation and Visual Economics show that for every dollar New Jersey sends to Washington, it gets 61 cents back in aid. No state receives less. That's not likely to change either, Woolley predicted.

"By and large, they (members of Congress) spend their most of their time posturing," he said. "There's very little to compromise about, and they're not interested."

There are other reasons why New Jersey should not expect to get more back from Washington, according to Woolley. Earmarks are on hold and federal lawmakers are finding it difficult to get money for their home states. Moreover, Booker is a junior senator who doesn't have as much leverage as veteran members of the Senate.

These issues and others led even Woolley to concede that he's not captivated by the elections.

"Heck, I'm a political junkie and a political scientist and I have to think of reasons to go out and vote," Woolley admitted.

 

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