New Jersey 40th District Election History
The 40th Legislative District of New Jersey has long been a focal point of regional political competition, characterized by a strong Republican presence and shifting dynamics driven by redistricting and union endorsements. From the state senate to the general assembly, the district's representation reflects the evolving priorities of its constituents in Bergen and Essex counties.
Key Facts
- Republican Dominance: The district has maintained a consistent Republican hold on its legislative seats for several decades.
- Historic Candidacy: Al Barlas's 2023 run marked a potential milestone as the first South Asian Republican in the New Jersey legislature.
- Union Influence: Endorsements from bodies like the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council (NJBCTC) and the FMBA have played pivotal roles in campaign momentum.
- Redistricting Impact: Changes in district boundaries, specifically the addition of Essex County towns, have influenced candidate decisions and strategic runs.
The 2023 Election Cycle
The 2023 elections saw a battle for two general assembly seats and one state senate seat. The Republican ticket featured incumbent Chris DePhillips and Essex County GOP chairman Al Barlas, facing Democratic challengers Giovanna Irizarry and Jennifer Marrinan. In the senate race, Republican incumbent Kristin Corrado ran against Democrat Jennifer Ehrentraut.
A significant shift occurred when Kevin Rooney decided not to seek re-election. This decision was largely attributed to redistricting, which added six Essex County towns to the 40th district, creating a need for representation from that county. Barlas emerged as a powerhouse fundraiser, raising $112,844 in his first two months of candidacy.
The cycle was marked by a "highly unusual" move in July 2023, when the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council (NJBCTC)—representing over 150,000 members—revoked its endorsement of the Democratic assembly candidates to support the Republicans. This flip caused internal friction among Democratic leaders, including Bergen County commissioner Tom Sullivan and former Senate President Steve Sweeney.
Campaign rhetoric in October 2023 focused on pandemic policies, business taxes, and parental rights in education. The Republican slate criticized the administration of Governor Phil Murphy and President Joe Biden, linking them to inflation and controversial school policies.
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2021 Election Results and Endorsements
In November 2021, Republican candidates secured decisive victories. Senator Kristin Corrado won re-election with 47,230 votes, defeating Michael Sedon. In the assembly, Kevin Rooney (46,004 votes) and Chris DePhillips (45,246 votes) successfully fended off Democratic challengers Nicole McNamara and Genny Allard.
The Republicans enjoyed support from the New Jersey State FMBA (representing firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers) and the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police. Conversely, the Democrats were backed by the New Jersey Democratic State Committee LGBTQ Caucus, the Progressive Turnout Project, and the National Organization for Women of New Jersey PAC, the latter of which endorsed Genny Allard specifically for her platform on women's issues.
2019 Election and Debate Controversies
The 2019 election saw Kevin Rooney and Chris DePhillips win their second full terms, defeating Julie O'Brien and Maria Martini Cordonnier. The campaign was highlighted by a dispute with the League of Women Voters; DePhillips and Rooney skipped a scheduled debate, citing a "broken" and "unfair" question-selection process.
The Democratic ticket underwent a late change when Micheal Sedon dropped out between June and September, leading the Democratic County Committee to select Julie O'Brien as his replacement on the ballot.
2017 Election and Early Appointments
The 2017 cycle established the current Republican leadership. Kristin Corrado won her first full four-year senate term with 33,495 votes, while Kevin Rooney and Chris DePhillips secured their first full assembly terms. This election featured intense debates over affordable housing, the Hudson Tunnel Project (a proposed commuter tunnel to Manhattan), and the funding of Planned Parenthood.
The period leading up to 2017 saw several key appointments. In October 2016, Scott Rumana resigned to become a Superior Court judge, leading to the appointment of Kevin Rooney. In July 2017, Kristin Corrado was appointed to fill the remainder of Kevin O'Toole's senate term after his resignation to join the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
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Legislative Representation Summary
The following table outlines the representation of the 40th District across various sessions.
| Session | Senate | General Assembly |
|---|---|---|
| 1974–1975 | Garrett W. Hagedorn (R) | C. Gus Rys (R), John A. Spizziri (R) |
| 1984–1985 | Garrett W. Hagedorn (R) | Nicholas Felice (R), Walter M. D. Kern (R), Henry McNamara (R) |
| 1994–1995 | Henry McNamara (R) | Nicholas Felice (R), David C. Russo (R) |
| 2004–2005 | Henry McNamara (R) | Kevin J. O'Toole (R), David C. Russo (R) |
| 2014–2015 | Kevin J. O'Toole (R) | Scott Rumana (R), David C. Russo (R) |
| 2018–2019 | Kristin Corrado (R) | Kevin J. Rooney (R), Christopher DePhillips (R) |
| 2024–2025 | Kristin Corrado (R) | Al Barlas (R), Christopher DePhillips (R) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kevin Rooney decide not to run for re-election in 2023?
Rooney's decision was attributed to redistricting, which incorporated six additional Essex County towns into the 40th district, creating a strategic opening for a representative from that county, such as Al Barlas.
What was the significance of the NJBCTC's endorsement shift in 2023?
The New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council's decision to withdraw support from Democratic candidates and endorse their Republican opponents was viewed by local media as a "devastating blow" and a highly unusual political move.
Who is Al Barlas and why is his candidacy historic?
Al Barlas is the Essex County GOP chairman. If elected, he would be the first South Asian Republican to serve in the New Jersey legislature.
What were the primary points of contention in the 2017 debates?
Candidates clashed over the management of affordable housing obligations, the funding of the Hudson Tunnel Project, the state's public-salary and pension crisis, and the funding of Planned Parenthood for preventive care.
How did the 2021 election results turn out for the 40th District?
The Republican slate won decisively, with Senator Kristin Corrado and Assemblymen Kevin Rooney and Chris DePhillips all securing re-election to their respective terms.