Two NJ Senators Win in Closely-Watched Primaries

A Seton Hall law professor has failed to unseat a longtime state senator in a Democratic primary matchup between two liberals in northern New Jersey.

Longtime senator Nia Gill beat back a challenge by Mark Alexander in the 34th District on Tuesday. The Democrat-dominated area includes Montclair, Orange and East Orange.

Overall, six senators and 11 members of the Assembly faced primary challenges. But the race between Gill and Alexander was one of the few that were expected to be competitive.

Another was in the 20th District in Elizabeth, where Raymond Lesniak easily beat back the challenge of Donna Obe, the president of the city's powerful school board.

Obe had portrayed Lesniak, a lawmaker since 1978, as wealthy and out of touch with the district.

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