In the wake of the June 6 primary contests, both Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for the November general elections, with the New Jersey governor’s race in the spotlight and state Senate and Assembly seats also up for grabs.

Princeton Community Democratic Organization (PCDO) President Owen O’Donnell urged Democrats to rally behind nominee Phil Murphy, who won Princeton only narrowly over PCDO-endorsed John Wisniewski in the primary, but triumphed handily in the statewide vote.

“There were high feelings on numerous sides,” Mr. O’Donnell noted, “but now is the time for all Democrats to work together to elect Phil Murphy.”

Mr. O’Donnell went on to emphasize, “This election is going to be very important and high profile. It is often said that New Jersey has the most powerful governor in the country. Virginia is the only other state electing a governor this fall. This election will be a measure of the activism of the Democratic Party since November. We hope to turn that activism into votes. The New Jersey governor will have a lot to say in the face of the Trump presidency.”

Also noting the importance of other elections in the state, Mr. O’Donnell noted, “With a Democratic governor and Democratic Senate and Assembly, New Jersey can start leading the way in resistance to the Trump agenda.”

State Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, who narrowly defeated Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli in the Republican primary, will be running against Mr. Murphy, former Goldman Sachs executive and ambassador to Germany in the Obama administration. A local favorite, Mr. Ciattarelli prevailed easily among Princeton voters.

“I was disappointed with the outcome of the Republican primary,” said Princeton Republican Committee Chair Dudley Siprelle, who supported Mr. Ciattarelli. “I thought Jack was far and away the most qualified candidate, Democrat or
Republican. Jack was a relative outsider with fresh ideas and a detailed platform best suited to rescue taxpayers from New Jersey’s sorry financial situation. He presented as well a credible plan to rebuild the New Jersey Republican Party and return it to relevance.”

Dick Woodbridge, former Princeton Township mayor and Borough Council member for 11 years, was less surprised by the disparity between the Princeton vote and the statewide outcome. “It shouldn’t be a surprise that Ciattarelli won the Princeton vote. He has represented this district in the state assembly, and both Democrats and Republicans have a high regard for him. Kim is more of a statewide figure. Ciattarelli is less well known outside his assembly district.”

Leaders of both parties predicted a spirited campaign with voters influenced by President Trump, current New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and even former New Jersey Governor John Corzine.

“The Republicans have their work cut out for them,” said Mr. Woodbridge. “Trump will definitely be an influence on this election. It will be a challenging race for Republicans statewide.”

Criticizing Ms. Guadagno’s ties to Governor Christie, Mr. O’Donnell pointed out, “Guadagno has been lieutenant governor for eight years. What does she have to show for it? She’s riding on the coattails of Chris Christie. That’s the legacy she has to face.”

And the Republican leaders did not hesitate to link Mr. Murphy to Mr. Christie’s predecessor Mr. Corzine. “Murphy here conjures up the image of Corzine,” Mr. Woodbridge said in explaining Princeton’s support for Mr. Wisniewski. “That’s a bit of a turn-off for local Democrats, who are a good bit more democratic, more in the Bernie Sanders image.”

More direct in his disdain for Mr. Murphy’s candidacy, Mr. Sipprelle stated, “As for the Democratic primary, suffice it to say that we saw a return to the disastrous formula of a Wall Street insider essentially buying the nomination for governor. We know how that turned out the last time it happened.”

Locally both Democrats and Republicans are looking forward to supporting New Jersey Legislative District 16 candidates, with Republican incumbent Kip Bateman running against Democrat Laurie Poppe for state Senate and Democrats Roy Freiman and incumbent Andrew Zwicker running against Republicans Mark Caliguire and Donna Simon for the state Assembly.

The PCDO announced this week that they will be opening Democratic headquarters for Legislative District 16 at 166 Bunn Drive in a celebration on Sunday, June 25 at 5 p.m.

Running unopposed for Princeton Town Council on the November ballot will be Democrats David Cohen and Leticia Fraga.

As partisan conflict continues to characterize national politics and will certainly be heating up emotions in the ongoing New Jersey governor’s race, Mr. Woodbridge offered a different perspective.

“The polarization, especially on the national level, is sad,” he said. “The only way you can win elections is to appeal to a broader base in a non-partisan way. And you have to be effectively non-partisan when you get elected. Pot holes don’t have any political affiliation. You need people who can look beyond the partisan issues.”