Democrat Frank Pallone wins NJ 6th Congressional District race, beats Susan Kiley
The Associated Press has called U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. the winner in the race for New Jersey's 6th Congressional District, defeating his Republican opponent Susan M. Kiley.
According to the latest tally, Pallone was up handedly in Middlesex County, while the contest was much closer in Monmouth County. The tally is unofficial as late mail-in, provisional ballots and Election Day drop box votes still are pending.
"I believe very strongly that people reelected me because they believe I'm getting things done. The Democratic party in Congress in general has been getting things done, whether it's the infrastructure bill (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), or the CHIPS bill to try to bring back domestic manufacturing or it's the Inflation Reduction Act to try and makes things more affordable," Pallone said. "We're just going to continue to try and do the same."
Going into Tuesday's vote, polls were indicating that the Republican Party may take control of the House, but Pallone, who spoke to a reporter at about 10 p.m. while he was still at McLoone's Pier House in Long Branch, said it was too early to tell.
According to the tally from Monmouth and Middlesex county election boards, Pallone, a lawyer and a native of Long Branch who turned 70 on Oct. 30, had 61,929 votes to Kiley's 38,610 with all 375 Middlesex County districts accounted for. In Monmouth, Pallone was eking out a majority with 36,542 votes to Kiley's 34,153 with all 173 districts reporting.
Pallone has held the seat for the Democrats since 1988. With the victory, he is starting his 18th full term. He is chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the oldest standing committees in the House.
Kiley, 68, of Hazlet, is the current deputy commissioner of the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners. She has one year left on that term.
Pallone outpaced Kiley in fundraising by over $2.5 million, raising a total of $2,891,495 to $347,007.
Where they stand:Pallone, Kiley at odds in NJ 6th District race over abortion, gas prices, student debt
The 6th District hugs along the shoreline, starting in the south in Bradley Beach in Monmouth County, heading north along the oceanfront and Bayshore, and then winds into Middlesex County, where it stretches as far north as Carteret and Piscataway. While it includes some heavily Republican bastions along the Monmouth County shore, it also includes several Democratic strongholds in the county, such as Neptune, Asbury Park, Long Branch and Red Bank, as well as multiple Middlesex County towns.
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When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Frank Pallone wins NJ 6th District election over Susan Kiley
