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Where the races in New Jersey's congressional district will be played on election night

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In addition to the presidential and U.S. Senate races, New Jersey voters saw the entire House delegation on the ballot this year, and as of noon Wednesday, the results of two races had not yet been determined.

Districts 3 and 9 had not been named by The Associated Press, although only District 7 was considered a close race Tuesday.

Tom Kean Jr. takes the win

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. fended off Democratic challenger Sue Altman and was declared the winner shortly after midnight by The Associated Press. Kean is no stranger to close races. In 2022 he was also in a tremor that only became known after midnight. In that race, he tried to upset Democratic incumbent Tom Malinowski.

Kean took the stage around 11 p.m. At that point, he had a 6% lead, with 87% of district officials reporting.

“Tonight we celebrate not only a victory, but our commitment to the hard work ahead,” Kean told supporters at an event in Basking Ridge. “I would like to thank my opponent Sue Altman for her courageous race.”

Kean told reporters following the speech — and a lengthy meeting with supporters throughout the room — that he had not yet been in contact with Altman but would do so sometime tonight.

Altman also spoke Tuesday night, saying she was “extremely humbled and grateful” for the support she has received and that she is “proud of this movement.”

Freshmen in Districts 3 and 9 hold the lead

The new-faced races in Districts 3 and 9 were also waiting to be run early Wednesday morning. Rep. Herb Conaway is trying to fill the seat of Rep. Andy Kim, who instead opted for a promotion to the U.S. Senate in the state's 3rd Senateapprox District, while State Senator Nellie Pou hopes to succeed the late Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. in the 9th DistrictTh Congressional district. Both Democrats are ahead in the election campaigns.

Pou also claimed victory by a margin of more than 10,000 votes around 9:30 p.m. A win would make her the first Latina from New Jersey to hold a seat in Congress.

“I never imagined that the young Puerto Rican who walked down Grand Street would now be walking the halls of Congress,” Pou said.

“Now I’m going to roll up my sleeves, get to work and head to Washington,” she added.

Before Pou's speech, Passaic County Democratic Party Chairman John Currie asked the crowd of more than 200 people in the union hall to observe a moment of silence for Bill Pascrell Jr., the 27-year congressman who died in office in August.

“He was a long-time fighter, not just in Paterson, not just in Passaic County, but overseas,” Currie said.

Gottheimer, Sherrill win

Meanwhile, Rep. Josh Gottheimer of North Jersey's 5th District, seen by many as a potential candidate for next year's governor, was declared the winner of that race just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Earlier in the evening, Bergen County Democratic Chairman Paul Juliano, in introducing Gottheimer as speaker, said it was his “honest guess that he's not stopping there with this re-election” but that he “doesn't have a crystal ball, so he can't.” I don’t. “I’ll tell you what that is, but I can tell you with certainty that I will stand behind him and ask everyone to support him if he takes that step as the Democratic leader of the county.”

Gottheimer said he didn't know what Juliano was talking about, but he appreciated it.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill in the 11thTh District, which is also expected to join the gubernatorial race, won re-election around 11 p.m. She said in a statement after the race was called that from the time she swore her “first oath to protect and defend our Constitution” as a member of the United States Naval Academy, she has “always been proud to do so.” to serve the country.”

“It is an oath I will continue to swear against those who sow doubt about our elections and the institutions on which this democracy is built,” she said. “I see it as my responsibility to stand up for a nation we all care about, and I believe our best days lie ahead.”

Find New Jersey's 2024 election results: President, US Senate, Congress, local races by county

Other incumbents are also claiming victory

Democratic Rep. Donald Norcross in the 1st Congressional District; Frank Pallone in the 6th District; Rob Menendez Jr. in the 8thTh; LaMonica McIver in the 10thTh; and Bonnie Watson Coleman in 12th gradeTh took back their seats.

Two Republican incumbents, Rep. Jeff Van Drew of the 2nd Congressional District and Rep. Chris Smith of the 4th Congressional District, also secured re-election.

Daniel Munoz, Nicholas Katzban, Kristie Cattafi and Charles Stile contributed to this story.

Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: [email protected]

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