NJ-AD11: Five Democrats seeking Assembly seats in 11th district
Just over a year after they unexpectedly lost two Assembly seats in the 11th legislative district, Monmouth County Democrats are eager to try and take them back, with five candidates running for the two seats – among them one of the two legislators who lost in 2021.
Former Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (D-Neptune) is aiming for a comeback bid, and he’s joined in the Democratic field by Ocean Township Councilwoman Margie Donlon, former Garden State Equality board chair Luanne Peterpaul, Colts Neck Democratic municipal chair Alison De Noia, and restaurateur Arthur Schlossbach.
Whoever ultimately prevails will join a ticket headed by State Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch), who is officially launching his re-election campaign this evening. The 11th district is the only district in the state to send a split delegation to Trenton, and both parties will be heavily invested in winning this year.
Houghtaling was the chairman of the Assembly Agriculture Committee before he narrowly lost re-election in 2021, six years after he had flipped the district from Republicans alongside former Assemblywoman Joann Downey (D-Freehold). (Downey has since become a judge on the Workers’ Compensation Court.)
But despite his legislative career, Houghtaling isn’t considered the favorite at the February 4 Democratic county convention. Instead, Donlon and Peterpaul, who are running on a slate together, are more likely to get the county line, which would make them huge favorites to win the Democratic primary.
https://newjerseyglobe.com/legislature/five-democrats-seeking-assembly-seats-in-11th-district/
