Linda Stender

SOMERVILLE - Claiming victory here tonight in his 7th Congressional District contest, state Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon) gave this crowd of Republicans reason to celebrate on an otherwse mostly difficult landscape.

"I think the editorial board support was important," said Lance, standing among his supporters in the Elks Club. "The papers unanimously endorsed me, and it mattered."

The final ad the Lance campaign ran in the cycle trailed those endorsements across the screen for emphasis.

The Stender campaign attempted to depict Lance as a Bush drone, and he ran much of the race without the necessary cash to punch back.

State Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Flemington) defeated Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Fanwood) in a hotly contested race for Congress in New Jersey's 7th district, keeping the seat of retiring U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson in Republican hands. Lance beat Stender by a 51%-42% margin.

SPRINGFIELD – At the Union County Central Labor Council’s headquarters this afternoon, Democratic State Chairman Joe Cryan told about 100 union members getting ready to canvass for Assemblywoman Linda Stender’s congressional bid that turnout was high in Democratic areas of the 7th District, but that it was also high in the traditionally Republican counties of Somerset and Hunterdon.

“Our tracks around the state and our tracks around this district show that our folks are coming out to vote, but you know what? Theirs are too.  What you’re going to do over the next few hours are going to make the difference.” 

Speaking to PolitickerNJ.com before the rally, Cryan talked up Gov. Corzine, saying that he was the person most responsible for what is likely to be a victory for Barack Obama in New Jersey, and U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

SPRINGFIELD – At the Union County Central Labor Council’s headquarters this afternoon, Democratic State Chairman Joe Cryan told about 100 union members getting ready to canvass for Assemblywoman Linda Stender’s congressional bid that turnout was high in Democratic areas of the 7th District, but that it was also high in the traditionally Republican counties of Somerset and Hunterdon.

“Our tracks around the state and our tracks around this district show that our folks are coming out to vote, but you know what? Theirs are too.  What you’re going to do over the next few hours are going to make the difference.” 

Speaking to PolitickerNJ.com before the rally, Cryan talked up Gov. Corzine, saying that he was the person most responsible for what is likely to be a victory for Barack Obama in New Jersey, and U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

SPRINGFIELD – At a labor rally today, Assemblywoman Linda Stender said that she feels confident that the high turnout today will benefit her campaign.

“I think it’s thrilling for our Democracy to see people get involved,” she said. “And I have to say, as I’m spending my day continuing to talk to voters at diners, the train station and all that stuff, it feels to me like the numbers are with me in terms of people that have already voted for me. We’ll see. It’s going to be a long day.”

Stender said that 20 percent of registered voters had already turned out by 9:00a.m. in her hometown of Fanwood.

Kean, Ferguson and Lance make the rounds in Cranford

CRANFORD -- State Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Flemington) said turnout is high today, but that it won’t necessarily benefit his opponent in the 7th District Congressional race.

“I’ve been endorsed by every editorial board based upon my independence and views on the issues, and I believe that the public will vote based upon the issues,” said Lance, who’s running against Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Fanwood).

At his own polling place in solidly Republican Hunterdon County, Lance and his wife were voters numbers 305 and 306 as of 10:30 a.m., which Lance called a “very healthy” turnout.

CRANFORD -- State Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Flemington) said turnout is high today, but that it won’t necessarily benefit his opponent in the 7th District Congressional race.

“I’ve been endorsed by every editorial board based upon my independence and views on the issues, and I believe that the public will vote based upon the issues,” said Lance, who’s running against Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Fanwood).

At his own polling place in solidly Republican Hunterdon County, Lance and his wife were voters numbers 305 and 306 as of 10:30 a.m., which Lance called a “very healthy” turnout.