Essex GOP Women Urge Republican Voters To Look To Future After NJ's Midterm Election

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It’s time to look to the future of the GOP in the Garden State, the president of the Essex County NJ Republican Women says.

Last week, Democratic Party candidates throughout New Jersey emerged with wins in the 2026 midterm election. The presumptive victories – which still need to be certified – includes three Congress members who serve towns in Essex County: Rob Menendez Jr. (8^th district), LaMonica McIver (10^th district), and Analilia Mejia (11^th district).

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker – a Newark resident – also scored an Election Night win. Meanwhile, Democrats have also likely seen victories in races for Essex County executive and the board of commissioners, which remain entirely without GOP representatives.

Last week’s election wasn’t without Republican triumphs in New Jersey, however.

Republicans Frank Saccomandi and Ben Stoller have apparently emerged with wins in a competitive Millburn Township Committee race.

On the national stage, longtime U.S. Rep. Chris Smith captured a big win in the state’s 4^th district, which covers dozens of towns in Monmouth and Ocean counties. It was another solid victory for Smith in an area that has reliably voted for Republican candidates for most of the last 35 years.

Some Republican leaders urged GOP voters to keep their heads high and look to future elections in the wake of the midterm.

“Though the outcome of this year’s general election was not the result New Jersey Republicans worked toward, we will not be deterred in our mission to tackle the serious issues impacting all New Jerseyans as a result of decades of failed Democrat policies in Trenton,” New Jersey Republican Party chair Christine Hanlon said.

Other GOP leaders urging voters to look to the future include Amanda Jones, president of the Essex County NJ Republican Women.

“Despite my immense frustration with this year's election results, I am so grateful for the dedication, intelligence and indomitable spirit of the incredible candidates and volunteers in Essex County,” she wrote in a post-election message to the group’s members and friends this week.

Jones pointed to “relentless” campaigns that took place in Essex County – including those for Justin Murphy, Joe Hathaway, Carmen Bucco, Adam Kraemer and Demetrius Eley – which will “likely will pay dividends in years to come,” she said.

“People are struggling and looking for change, and while Republicans promised affordability, that goal was too often eclipsed by other priorities,” Jones urged.

“Here in New Jersey, our party has real problems to fix,” she continued. “The NJGOP leadership needs a comprehensive strategy to unify and grow the party and give local leaders the resources and tools they need to run effective campaigns ahead of next year's state elections.”

Jones also offered some encouragement for local GOP voters:

“We don't have to wait for someone else to do it. Between now and next year's primary, Essex County NJ Republican Women will spend every month growing our organization and the Republican Party here at home. Our goal is ambitious: members in every municipality in Essex County, and strong, qualified candidates lined up for every district in next year's state Senate and Assembly races. If you know someone who should be at our table, or someone who should be on the ballot, I want to hear from you.”

“There is no time to rest,” Jones added. “It starts now, and it starts with each of us.”

• Related: Blue Wave Hits NJ: 12 Key Takeaways From 2026 Midterm Election
• Related: Mejia, Hathaway Visit Essex County As They Battle For NJ-11 Congress Seat
• Related: Essex Republican Women Celebrate 6 ‘Extraordinary’ NJ Leaders At Gala

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