David Kilby, Managing Editor
Legislative District 14 voters went with the Democratic ticket Tuesday as they trusted Sen. Linda Greenstein with her first full term as senator and re-elected Assemblymen Wayne DeAngelo and Daniel Benson.
District 14 covers Cranbury, Jamesburg, Monroe, East Windsor, Hamilton, Hightstown, Plainsboro, Robbinsville and Spotswood.
After the 2010 census, South Brunswick and West Windsor moved out of the district, and Robbinsville and Spotswood moved in.
Formerly, East Windsor and Hightstown residents were represented by elected officials of the 12th District.
In this year’s race, Richard Kanka, of Hamilton, challenged incumbent Sen. Greenstein, of Plainsboro, who was District 14 assemblywoman from 2000 to 2010. Mr. Kanka, a Republican, ran with Assembly candidates Sheree McGowan, of Robbinsville, and Wayne Wittman, of Cranbury. They challenged Mr. DeAngelo and Mr. Benson, both of Hamilton.
The following election numbers are unofficial until verified by the state.
According to the Middlesex County Clerk’s Office, Mr. Kanka received 7,389 votes, or 41.51 percent. Sen. Greenstein topped that with 10,403 votes, or 58.44 percent.
Assemblyman DeAngelo received 9,904, or 28.81 percent, and Assemblyman Benson received 9,666, or 28.11 percent of the 34,382 votes cast for assemblymen.
Mr. Wittman received 7,328 votes, or 21.31 percent, and Ms. McGowan received 7,108 or 28.11 percent.
Sen. Greenstein shared her comments on her victory.
”I feel I have my finger on the pulse of the district after all these years of serving, and I believe my constituents can see that,” she said. “I’m looking out for my constituents, and they know that, and I’m very grateful to them.
”Certainly, my past record over the past 12 years is one I’m very proud of, and it’s what people bring up all the time,” she said, adding many voters support her in her voting record on health, taxes and consumer issues. “I think people appreciate my past record and the fact that in the near future my emphasis will be on jobs and the economy.”
She said she also will be watching education reform closely, especially teacher tenure and evaluation, as these will be the main issues before the state Senate and Gov. Chris Christie in the upcoming year.
”I very much value public education,” she said, adding that since she values public education, she has voted against private school vouchers and plans to continue to do so.
”The teachers union has been working with the governor to come out with proposals that both sides can deal with,” she said, adding she looks forward to the negotiations.
In closing, she wished her challenger the best.
”Mr. Kanka made a very gracious concession call to me, and he wished me well, and I wished him well,” she said. “I’ve always commended him on the work he did on Megan’s Law.”
