How one election left this powerful Democratic organization fighting to survive

[brooklynite]

Politico

TRENTON, N.J. — It took three decades for Democratic power broker George Norcross to build one of the most effective and influential political machines in the country. It took one night for the operation to lose its biggest public figure.

The insurance executive, who has never held elected office, had seized near-absolute control over elections in much of southern New Jersey. He funneled seemingly endless campaign cash to support his allies and crush his foes. His allies won every Democratic legislative seat south of Trenton.

…snip…

Instead, the biggest hit to the power of Norcross came this month, when a truck driver who spent $10,000 on his campaign defeated Sweeney. It was one of the biggest political upsets in New Jersey history and the biggest in the nation this year — a dark omen for Democrats worried about the 2022 midterms. That night, South Jersey Democrats also lost two of their six state Senate seats and four of their 12 state Assembly seats, accounting for most of the Democratic Party’s losses in New Jersey, where Murphy stumbled to a narrow, 3-point reelection victory.

[WhiteTara]

1. 3 points is a Narrow victory?

I thought 1/2 point or one point, but three?

[karynnj]

2. An interesting article

I lived in NJ in Morris County. The conclusion is interesting that Morris and Somerset are where the Democrats will gain while losing support in the South. As the Republicans remain a Trumpian party, those wealthy "old money" Republicans are moving to vote for Democrats. That shift started even as long ago as 2000. The goal in Morris was to minimize the net votes they won.

One thing that was always frustrating in NJ for many Democrats was the power of the corrupt Norcross machine. Losing one seat ... and NOT having Sweeney MIGHT actually be a gain for the party. Consider he was opposed by the NEA last time.