In 2021, with Mr. Murphy at the top of the ticket, Republicans gained seven seats in the Legislature, which Democrats control, when voters, angry about the state’s Covid-19 mandates, turned out in droves. Stephen M. Sweeney, a Democrat who was State Senate president at the time, lost to Edward Durr Jr., a conservative, first-time candidate. Republicans hope to tally further gains when voters go to the polls on Tuesday, as Democrats try to recover lost ground. All 120 legislative seats are on the ballot. Democrats hold a 46-34 majority in the Assembly and a 25-15 advantage in the Senate.

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Persons: Murphy, Stephen M, Sweeney, Edward Durr Jr, “ We’re, ” Alexandra Wilkes Organizations: Democrat, Republicans, New, New Jersey Republican Party Locations: New Jersey, South Jersey, Jersey Shore, District, Princeton, Bergen County’s