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FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS AN SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> AT EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE STATES DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT SHOW THEIR MUSCLE THURSDAY NIGHT, PREVAILING IN ALMOST ALL THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES WERE THE PARTY HOPED TO KEEP SEAT.

THE ONLY EXCEPTION, THE MOST CLOSELY WATCHED RACE IN DISTRICT 7 WHERE TOM KEAN, JR.

OUSTED DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE TOM MALINOWSKI IN A SEAT HE FLIPPED BLUE JUST FOUR YEARS AGO.

THE BITTERLY FOUGHT RACE CAME DOWN TO THE WIRE AND PLAYED OUT IN A CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

TONIGHT, GOVERNOR MURPHY TELLING NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE LAST OF THE CONGRESSMAN.

THAT INTERVIEW IS COMING UP.

AND IN THE STATES OTHER HIGH-PROFILE RACES, INCUMBENT DEMOCRATS MIKIE SHERRILL, JOSH GOTTHEIMER, AND ANDY KIM HOLDING ONTO THEIR SPOTS.

THREE OF NEW JERSEY'S HOUSE SEATS NOW HELD BY REPUBLICANS.

NATIONALLY, THOUGH, CONTROL FOR THE CHAMBER AND THEN IT IS STILL HANGING IN THE BALANCE.

WE BEGIN OUR COVERAGE WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN ON TOM KEAN JR.'S VICTORY.

>> Reporter: HE STROLLED THROUGH THE CROWD CATCHING THEM BY SURPRISE, CLAIMING A DE FACTO VICTORY IN THE REDRAWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AFTER A GRUELING REMATCH WITH INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT TOM MALINOWSKI, WHO DIDN'T CONCEDE THE RACE UNTIL LATE THIS MORNING.

>> WE ARE ON A REALLY GREAT TRAJECTORY.

I AM CONFIDENT WE ARE GOING TO WIN THIS THING TONIGHT BECAUSE OF YOUR HELP AND YOUR BOAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK TOM MALINOWSKI FOR HIS YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE, AND HIS SPIRITED CAMPAIGN.

>> Reporter: PALLETS ARE STILL BEING TALLIED.

HE OUSTED THE TWO-TERM INCUMBENT BY AT LEAST 13,000 VOTES AS OF WHEN THE AFTERNOON, THE ONLY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN NEW JERSEY THE REPUBLICANS MANAGED TO FLIP.

PARTY LEADERS EXPLAINED POCKETBOOK ISSUES TO THEIR VOTERS.

>> THERE ARE AREAS WHERE PEOPLE ARE LINED UP OUT THE DOOR.

THE ENTHUSIASM LEVEL IS THROUGH THE ROOF.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL RASMUSSEN EXPLAINS THE SEVENTH DISTRICT WAS REDRAWN SPECIFICALLY TO FAVOR REPUBLICANS.

>> UNPERSUADED AND LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS THAT IF IT WERE NOT FOR ONE COUNTY COMING IN AS A REPUBLICAN --IF IT WEREN'T FOR SUSSEX COUNTY WITH REPUBLICANS COMING IN AS THEY DID -- YOU PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE LOOKING AT CONGRESSMAN ELECT TOM KEAN TODAY.

>> Reporter: ANALYST TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO CALL THIS RACE.

TOM MALINOWSKI THINK VOLUNTEERS GATHERED IN GARWOOD LAST NIGHT FOR THEIR SUPPORT DURING A HARD-FOUGHT CAMPAIGN AND GAVE A BITTERSWEET ASSESSMENT OF HOW HE HAD BEEN ESSENTIALLY REDISTRICT IT OUT OF OFFICE.

>> YOU KNOW THIS CAMPAIGN WAS WRITTEN OFF A YEAR AGO.

WE WERE COUNTED OUT.

THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT POINT TO MAKE ABOUT THIS EVENING.

THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT WE WOULD BE WINNING HANDS DOWN IN THE ORIGINAL DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENTED.

>> Reporter: HE HELD OUT OVERNIGHT, BUT THIS MORNING, MALINOWSKI ISSUED HIS EASEMENT CONGRESSMAN KEAN, THINKING HIS CONSTITUENTS AND SAYING THAT I'M GRATIFIED THAT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AMERICA'S CHOSE MODERATION WHILE PROTECTING REFERENDUM FOR A WOMEN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

KEAN PLEDGED TO SERVE CONSTITUENTS, A PROMISE HE MADE LAST NIGHT.

>> TO STEER THIS NATION TOWARDS GREATER PROSPERITY, GREATER SECURITY, AND GREATER AFFORDABILITY.

>> Reporter: KEAN SPOKE BRIEFLY WITH REPORTERS AFTERWARDS, A BREAK FROM HIS CAMPAIGN STRATEGY OF GENERALLY AVOIDING QUESTIONS FROM NEWS MEDIO FOR ISSUES LIKE HIS SUPPORT FOR TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN, POSSIBLY UP FOR RE-ELECTION.

>> THE PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT, RIGHT NOW, THERE CAN TURN IS THE HIGHEST RATE OF INFLATION IN FOUR YEARS.

GAS PRICES, THEY ARE OUT OF CONTROL.

A BORDER THAT NEEDS TO BE SECURED.

>> ARE YOU GOING TO SUPPORT -- >> MANY HAVE NOT HEARD THEIR VOICES HEARD.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH THE REPUBLICAN RED WAVE DID NOT MATERIALIZE LAST NIGHT, THE HOUSE WILL PROBABLY SWITCH TO A GOP MAJORITY, AND THAT COULD PUT CONGRESSMAN KEAN IN A BIND WITH HARD RIGHT LEADERSHIP THAT POURED BIG BUCKS INTO HIS CAMPAIGN.

>> IS HE WILLING TO DELIVER?

I WOULD SAY IF I COULD GIVE HIM A LITTLE BIT OF FREE ADVICE --YOU GOT THE ANSWER TO THE FOLKS BACK HOME.

>> Reporter: I BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY LAMENTING LOSING TOM MALINOWSKI'S REPRESENTATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

THE.

BUT STOPPED SHORT OF AGREEING THAT THE INCUMBENT CONGRESSMAN WAS HUNG OUT TO DRY BY THE PARTY.

INSTEAD, PREDICTING THE MALINOWSKI NAME WILL BE AROUND FOR SOME TIME TO COME.

GOVERNOR MURPHY, THANKS FOR TAKING SOME TIME TO TALK WITH US ON THIS DAY AFTER THE ELECTION.

LET'S TALK ABOUT DISTRICT SEVEN.

LAST NIGHT, WE HEARD FROM TOM MALINOWSKI THAT HE WAS FRUSTRATED.

HE WAS WRITTEN OFF, ESSENTIALLY, BY DEMOCRATS A YEAR AGO IN THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

WAS THE PARTY WRONG TO SACRIFICE HIM?

>> LISTEN, I THINK A LOT OF FACTORS ARE AT PLAY.

TOM IS OUTSTANDING.

I FIRST HEARD HIS NAME WHEN HE WAS ON THE HUMAN WHAT RIGHTS WATCH ON THE CAMPAIGN OF JOHN McCAIN OF ALL PEOPLE.

THIS IS A TOUGH YEAR TO RUN.

WE HAD A LOT OF CLOSE RACES, NATIONALLY AS WELL.

I WILL JUST SAY THAT WE HAVE NOT HEARD THE LAST OF TOM MALINOWSKI.

I GUARANTEE YOU THAT.

HE IS AN OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVANT, AND HE HAS GREAT DAY STILL AHEAD OF HIM, AND I HOPE IN SERVICE OF NEW JERSEYANS WAY SHAPE OR FORM.

>> OVERALL, A PRETTY GOOD EVENING FOR DEMOCRATS, CERTAINLY FENDING OFF WHAT ANALYST PREDICTED AS THE RED WAVE.

WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE AWAY, GOVERNOR?

YOU ARE OUT STUMPING AS THE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION.

YOUR TAKE AWAY ON HOW DEMOCRATS FARED?

>> YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT.

OTHER THAN TOM MALINOWSKI'S CLOSE LOSS, NINE OF THE 10 DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE OF NEW JERSEY WON, SOME OF THEM IN TIGHT RACES.

AND THEN AROUND THE COUNTRY, YOU DID NOT SEE THE RED WAVE THAT FOLKS WERE TALKING ABOUT.

AND I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS, AND IF I HAD TO POINT TO A FEW, DEMOCRATS --PARTICULARLY AT THE END --GOT A LOT BETTER AT TELLING OUR STORY.

PARTICULARLY ON THE ECONOMY AND AFFORDABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK SECONDLY, BOTH REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND ABORTION ON THE ONE HAND, AND THREAT TO DEMOCRACY ON THE OTHER HAND, FINALLY ROSE UP THE LIST OF CONCERNS THE REPUBLICANS WERE PLAYING.

THEY WERE PLAYING THIS PRIME CARD EFFECTIVELY, AND IT DROWNED OUT REAL CONCERNS ABOUT ELECTION DENIERS OR WOMEN'S RIGHT TO AN ABORTION OR OTHER REPRODUCTIVE ITEMS.

I THINK AT THE END, THOSE ISSUES FINALLY BUBBLED UP AS MAIN FACT YEARS.

AND I WOULD SAY, LASTLY, WE HAD BETTER CANDIDATE, TO CALL IT PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

THEY SHOW THEIR WORTH AND THEIR STRENGTHS, PARTICULARLY AS WE CLOSE THE ELECTIONS OUT.

>> TO THE CANDIDATES GOVERNOR -- THEY ALWAYS MATTER, BUT MATTER MORE THAN THE MESSAGING QUEST MARK THERE WAS SO MUCH TALK ABOUT MESSAGING, DEMOCRATS COALESCING AROUND ACE INGLE IDEA, SIMILARLY TO HOW THE GOP WAS, AND THE MOMENTUM THAT THE PARTY GAMES GOING UP TO THIS.

DID IT REALLY DOES COME DOWN TO WHO HAD THE BETTER CANDIDATES?

>> I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION.

WE ARE FAMOUS FOR NOT BEING CRISP ON HER MESSAGE, WHICH DRIVES ME CRAZY AS A PARTY.

BUT I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF A WHOLE NUMBER OF THINGS, INCLUDING AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT, PARTICULARLY IN THE HOUSE RACES --AND FRANKLY THE SENATE, AS WELL -- THAT CONGRESS HAD DONE HISTORIC THINGS THIS YEAR, AND THE PRESIDENT SIGNED THOSE BILLS, AND THE PRESIDENT IS STANDING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY.

TRANSFORMATIONAL ACTION.

I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF THAT, ALONG WITHOUT HANDING CANDIDATES THAT GOT US THE RESULTS THAT WE GOT.

LISTEN, WE ARE NOT DECLARING VICTORY YET.

WE ARE STILL LIGHT IN THE HOUSE AT THE MOMENT, AND I WOULD SAY THE SENATE -- I WOULD RATHER BE US AND THEM, BUT IT IS STILL VERY CLOSE, AND WE GOT A COUPLE OF GOVERNORS RACES THAT ARE IN THE BALLOTS.

I WANT TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO TALK ABOUT ALL OF THIS IN THE PAST TENSE.

WE ARE STILL IN THE FIGHT.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE FEELING PRETTY GOOD ABOUT WHERE THINGS STAND.

THERE WAS A POLL RELEASED TODAY, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN IT, WHERE RESIDENTS ARE RELATIVELY HAPPY WITH THE JOB YOU ARE DOING, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE AN APPETITE FOR YOU SEEKING HIGHER OFFICE, SPECIFICALLY THE PRESIDENCY.

SO WE HAVE TO ASK IF YOU PLAN TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

>> NO.

I KNOW MORE EXPECT TODAY THAN I DID EVEN YESTERDAY THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL RUN AGAIN, PARTICULARLY IF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP GETS IN THE RACE.

I'VE BEEN UNEQUIVOCAL IN ASSUMING THAT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND IF HE DOES HAPPEN, HE'LL SEE NO BIGGER SUPPORTER.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THE POLE, BUT I'M GLAD TO SEE FOLKS THINK THINGS ARE GOING WELL.

I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO THINK THAT WE ARE PATTING OURSELVES ON THE BACK OR THAT WE THINK WE GOT ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS ALT, BECAUSE WE DON'T.

WE INHERITED A BROKEN STATE.

IT'S A LOT BETTER THAN IT WAS, BUT WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY, INC. YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>>> INCUMBENT ANDY KIM SHOWED OFF HIS POLITICAL APTITUDE LAST NIGHT, HANDILY WINNING HIS RACE AGAINST BOB HEALEY AND THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

EVEN THOUGH HEALY HAD MORE MONEY BACKING HIS CANDIDACY, AND AS PUNDITS PROJECTED THE ELECTION WOULD TIGHTEN.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> AT THIS TIME, IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU CONGRESSMAN RE-ELECT ANDY KIM.

>> Reporter: IN AN ENTRANCE FIT FOR A ROCK STAR, CONGRESSMAN ANDY KIM TOOK THE STAGE LAST NIGHT TO THINK SUPPORTERS FOR SUCCESSFULLY RE-ELECTING HIM FOR A THIRD TERM IN NEW JERSEY'S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> IS A LOT OF WORK THE GOT HERE TO THIS MOMENT, AND NOT JUST ME, BUT MY WHOLE TEAM AND EVERYBODY HERE.

BUT WHAT I WILL SAY IS, I'M GOING TO ENJOY THIS MOMENT, BUT I ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT IN MANY WAYS, ELECTION DAY AS THE STARTING LINE, NOT THE FINISH LINE.

>> WE HAVE TO THINK BACK THAT KIM WAS PART OF THIS 2018 BLUE WAVE.

NEW JERSEY WAS MUCH MORE SPLIT EARLY ON BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE.

A LOT OF THESE SEATS ARE FRESHLY DEMOCRATIC SEATS.

DEMOCRATS LIKE CHERYL AND KIM AND GOT HEIMER REALLY HAVE TO STRUGGLE THIS LINE OF MODERATION AND KEEP THEIR VOTERS ELECTION CYCLE AFTER ELECTIONS MICHAEL.

>> Reporter: THE EAGLETON CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEREST POLLING.

SHE SAYS FEAR AND ANGER BY VOTERS WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY KIM WON.

>> REPUBLICANS WERE CONTENT WITH THE STATUS QUO OR THE RECENT DECISIONS ON ABORTION, THAT FEAR AND MOTIVATION REALLY WOULD BE COMING FROM THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AND DRIVING KEY VOTING BLOCS LIKE WOMEN TO THE POLLS.

>> Reporter: BOB HEALEY IS NOT CONCEDING, IN PART BECAUSE OF A VOTING MACHINE GLITCH IN MERCER COUNTY.

HEALY REMAINS OPTIMISTIC.

>> YOU SEE HOW TIGHT THIS DISTRICT IS.

IS A 49-49 SPLIT.

IT HAS ACTED MORE LIKE THAT ON THE GROUND.

PEOPLE WE'VE MET, WHETHER KNOCKING ON DOORS OR EVENTS, IT FELT MORE LIKE THAT KIND OF A DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: THIS MORNING THEY RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING AS OF EVERY TOTAL ELECTION, VOTE TABULATION REQUIRES PATIENCE IN ORDER TO FULLY SEE THE OUTCOME OF THE RACE.

WE ARE EAGER TO SEE THE REST OF THE RESULTS POUR IN FROM MERCER COUNTY OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

>> LIKE I SAID, MAKING SURE THAT ALL THE VOTES ARE COUNTED.

WE CAN DO THE MATH JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE, BUT AGAIN, IT DOESN'T HURT ANYBODY TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING.

>> Reporter: CHRIS RUSSELL, WHO WORKED ON THE CAMPAIGN, SAYS FOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR HEALY TO WIN, THE PARTY NEEDS TO STRAY AWAY FROM THE NATIONAL BRAND.

>> THE NATIONAL BRAND IS BAD FOR REPUBLICAN SENATORS.

WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO REACH OUT TO THIS MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD SUBURBAN BREAD AND BUTTER THAT HAS DRIFTED AWAY THE LAST FEW YEARS.

WE NEED TO WIN THEM BACK.

WE CANNOT WIN BY GOING HARD RIGHT.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, CONGRESSMAN KIM SAYS HIS STRATEGY TO CONTINUE TO HOLD HIS SEAT IS TO TRY TO HEAL THIS COUNTRY.

>>> WHEN IT CAME TO THE ISSUES DRIVING VOTERS THIS MIDTERM CYCLE, POLLSTERS LARGELY GOT IT RIGHT.

HIGH INFLATION AND THE ECONOMY DOMINATED VIEWS IN THE ELECTION, BUT SOCIAL ISSUES LIKE ABORTION STILL PLAYED AN OUTSIZED ROLE.

MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLLING INSTITUTE DIRECTOR PART PATRICK MURRAY JOINS ME NOW TO BREAK DOWN MORE OF WHAT WENT INTO NEW JERSEY'S RACE OUTCOMES.

PATRICK MURRAY, GOOD TO SEE YOU AS ALWAYS, ESPECIALLY AFTER AN ELECTION.

THERE WAS SO MUCH TOP LEADING UP TO THIS ABOUT A POTENTIAL RED WAVE.

ANY SURPRISES FROM YOUR END?

>> THE THING ABOUT THE RED WAVE WAS THAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HIT IN DEMOCRATIC AREAS, PARTICULARLY IN THE NORTHEAST.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, AS I WAS LOOKING AROUND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, IS THAT WE DID IT SEE IT AT ALL.

THE DISTRICT --THE NEW DISTRICTS THAT WERE DRAWN AFTER THE LAST CENSUS DID EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE DESIGNED TO DO.

SO EVEN THOUGH, OVERALL, THE STATE WHITE HOUSE MARGIN IN NEW JERSEY FOR DEMOCRATS WAS TALLER THAN IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO, SOME OF THESE INCUMBENTS --PARTICULARLY KIM IN THE THIRD AND GOT HEIMER IN THE FIFTH, DID BETTER BECAUSE HER DISTRICT WAS DRAWN TO DO EXACTLY WHAT IT DID.

BY THE SAME TOKEN, THAT IS WHY MALINOWSKI LOST.

HIS DISTRICT WAS DRAWN TO BE A REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE SAW IN THESE RESULTS.

WHICH MEANS THAT THE ENTHUSIASM THE PEOPLE THOUGHT WAS REALLY GOING TO BENEFIT REPUBLICANS DID NOT.

THERE WAS ENTHUSIASM ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, THERE WERE DEMOCRATS WHO CAME OUT TO VOTE FOR A WHOLE HOST OF REASONS, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY.

I THINK THAT WAS A KEY THING THAT WE LEARNED FROM THIS RACE.

>> I AM CURIOUS ABOUT THAT REDISTRICTING.

TOM MALINOWSKI IN THE 7 DISTRICT SAID AS MUCH, EVEN IN HIS CONCESSION TO TOM KEAN JUNIOR PRAME, THAT IF THOSE LIGHTS HADN'T BEEN WITHDRAWN TO MAKE THEM MORE RIGHT-LEANING TOWNS, HE COULD HAVE WON THIS RACE BASED ON THE POLLING YOU DID, WHICH WAS NOT HEAD-TO-HEAD, BUT ISSUES, OF COURSE.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL US?

>> IT DOESN'T TELL US ANYTHING, REALLY.

IT TELLS US THAT SOMEBODY DID IT.

TOM MALINOWSKI LOST, AND THAT'S A TOUGH LOSS.

YOU LOOK FOR OTHER WAYS TO WIN IT.

TOM MALINOWSKI WON IN A SQUEAKER TWO YEARS AGO WHEN THE HOUSEBOAT IN NEW JERSEY OVERALL WAS A DEMOCRATIC ADVANTAGE OF 16 POINTS.

NOW, IT'S ONLY A DEMOCRATIC ADVANTAGE OF ABOUT 6 POINT, WHICH MEANS IT'S UNLIKELY THAT IF THE DISTRICT WAS THE SAME THAT HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EMERGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THAT SQUEAKER ELECTION THIS TIME AROUND IN THE SAME DISTRICT.

THE KEY HERE THAT WE FOUND IS THAT THE ISSUES THAT WE SAW WERE A VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT DEMOCRATS NEEDED TO HIT ON TO GET ALL THEIR VOTERS OUT THERE.

AND THAT MADE IT TOUGHER IN DISTRICT THAT WERE MORE COMPETITIVE.

>> FOLKS LIKE YOURSELF WHO HAVE BEEN DOING POLLING, VETERANS IN THE POLLING INDUSTRY SHIFTED SOME OF THE METHODOLOGIES OVER THESE LAST FEW YEARS.

WHAT DID YOU FIND THAT WORKED WELL AND DIDN'T FOR THIS MIDTERM ELECTION CYCLE AS YOU WERE DOING THOSE SURVEYS?

>> WHAT WORKED WELL WITH SIMPLY LOOKING AT OUR FUNDAMENTAL METHODOLOGY AND SAYING, WHAT NEEDS TO BE TWEAKED?

NOT TRYING TO CORRECT THE RESULT OF THE LAST ELECTION.

AND WHAT WE SAW IS POLLSTERS -- PARTICULARLY ACADEMIC POLLSTERS LIKE MONMOUTH AND SIERRA -- DID A REALLY GOOD JOB WITH THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

THE POLLSTERS WITH THEIR THUMB ON THE SCALE JUST BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT EVERYTHING WAS GOING TO BE MORE REPUBLICAN FROM HERE ON OUT WERE THE ONES THAT WERE WRONG, BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T BASING THEIR SHIFT ON A METHODOLOGY.

THEY ARE BASING IT ON A GAS.

>> PATRICK MURRAY.

THANKS, PAT, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>>> ELECTION DAY MIGHT BE OVER, BUT THERE IS STILL NO CALL IN THE RACE FOR TRENTON'S MAYOR.

OR A HELPFUL OF COUNCIL SEATS THAT WERE UPPER GRABS IN THE CAPITAL CITY.

THE CONTENTIOUS RACE PLAYING OUT AMID DYSFUNCTION WITHIN THE CITY'S GOVERNMENT LEADERS, AND A DELAY IN VOTE COUNTING AFTER A MALFUNCTION WITH ALEX BANNERS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

TED GOLDBERG HAS THE LATEST ON THAT CHAOTIC ELECTION.

>> Reporter: READ BROCHURE A ENTERED HIS WATCH PARTY LAST NIGHT SOUNDED PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT HE ONE OF THE ELECTION FOR TRENTON'S MAYOR.

BEATING OUT ROBIN VAUGHN AND KATHY McBRIDE.

>> THE BEST DAYS OF TRENTON ARE AHEAD OF US.

WERE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT COUNSEL, A GREAT FOUR YEARS.

WE ARE GOING TO MOVE THIS CAPITAL CITY SO MUCH FORWARD.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A HECTIC ELECTION DAY IN TRENTON.

VOTING MACHINES IN TRENTON COUNTY DID NOT SCAN VOTES PROPERTY, SO NO ONE WILL KNOW THE FINAL OUTCOME FOR A DAY OR SO.

>> IN THE END, IT WORKS OUT.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF SNAFUS, BUT I THINK WE'LL BE OKAY.

>> WE DID EVERYTHING WE COULD TO MAKE SURE THIS ELECTION RAN WELL.

WE HAD AN INSPECTION RE-ELECTION, EVERYTHING CAME OUT FINE.

TECHNOLOGY SOMETIMES MALFUNCTIONS, AND IT COULD BE A SIMPLE ISSUE OF SOMETHING THAT WENT WRONG IN THE TECHNOLOGY.

>> MERCER COUNTY CLERK SAYS SHE HAS CALLED THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, AND A PROBLEM WITH VOTING MACHINES IS NOT PART OF A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION.

SHE THINKS EITHER THE WRONG PAPER BALLOTS WERE ORDERED, OR THERE WAS A TECHNICAL GLITCH, OR SOMEONE INTENTIONALLY INTERFERED.

>> WE WANT TO LOOK INTO IT AND HAVE IT EXPLORED TO SEE IF SOMEBODY DID SOMETHING TO MAYBE CREATE DISTRESS IN THE SYSTEM AND CREATE PROBLEMS.

WE HAVE TO INVESTIGATE IT.

COULD ALSO BE THAT THE COMPANY DID SOMETHING ACCIDENTALLY, YOU KNOW, WHICH IS ALSO AN ISSUE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS MOST VOTES WERE COUNTED LAST NIGHT AT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, SUPERVISED A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION UNDER HEAVY SECURITY.

>> WHAT I WAS HAPPY FOR IS WE HAVE A COUNT EACH PAPER TRAIL.

AT THE END OF THE NIGHT, IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS OCCURS, WE HAVE THE PAPER AND WE CAN GO BACK TO THE PAPER AND WE CAN COUNT THOSE VOTES.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION, AND NOBODY'S BEEN DISENFRANCHISED.

>> Reporter: THE VOTING GLITCH DIDN'T DETER FIRST-TIME VOTERS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DEVOTING, BUT I THOUGHT, I WANT TO BE DIFFERENT.

I DON'T WANT TO BE LIKE SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T VOTE ON ISSUES THAT AFFECT ME AND JUST COMPLAIN.

>> Reporter: DAVID LIMA CAST HIS VOTE YESTERDAY.

HE'S HOPING HIS VOTE CREATES CHANGE.

>> EQUALITY.

THAT'S A MAJOR THING.

ABORTION-RIGHTS, THAT'S ALSO MAJOR.

I'D BEEN LIVING IN THE CITY FOR A LONG TIME.

THINGS HAVE BEEN UP AND DOWN FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

I JUST WANT TO SEE SOME CHANGE.

I HOPE MY VOTE COUNTS AND YOU CAN SEE SOME CHANGE WITH THE CANDIDATES THAT ARE RUNNING TODAY.

>> Reporter: REED GUSCIORA NEEDS AT LEAST 50% OF THE VOTE TO AVOID A RUNOFF ELECTION LATER THIS YEAR.

IF ELECTED AGAIN, HE HOPES THIS ELECTION ALSO BRINGS FRESH FACES AND VOICES TO A CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH CHAOS AND CORRUPTION.

I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A WAVE OF LAYOFFS IS HITTING MAJOR COMPANIES ACROSS THE U.S. AND RIGHT HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS ON THE CUTS, PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>>> CORPORATE LAYOFFS ARE STARTING TO PICK UP, ESPECIALLY AMONG TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES.

MEHTA, THE PARENT COMPANY OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM, IS SLASHING 11,000 JOBS, WITH 13% OF ITS STAFF, IN A COST-CUTTING MOVE.

U.S. COMPANIES ANNOUNCED NEARLY 34,000 LAYOFFS, THE HIGHEST MONTHLY NUMBER SINCE EARLY 2021.

AND JUST YESTERDAY, WOODCLIFF LAKE BASED RETAIL CHAIN PARTY CITY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO LET GO 19% OF ITS CORPORATE WORKFORCE AS SALES DECLINE.

BUT NEW JERSEY IS FARING BETTER THAN ITS NEIGHBORS WHEN IT COMES TO LAYOFFS.

ACCORDING TO THE OUTPLACEMENT FIRM CHALLENGER GRAY, YEAR TO DATE THROUGH OCTOBER, GARDEN STATE COMPANIES ANNOUNCED JUST OVER 2300 JOB CUTS, FAR FEWER THAN THE JOB CUTS ANNOUNCED BY COMPANIES IN NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.

AMERICAN DREAM HAS RECEIVED A FINANCIAL BOOST.

NJ ADVANCED MEDIA REPORTS THAT 555 HAS SECURED FINANCING FOR 4 YEARS BY A GROUP LED BY J.P. MORGAN.

THE MALL HAS HAD SOME FINANCIAL STRUGGLES SINCE THE PANDEMIC, BUT RECENTLY REPORTED AN INCREASE IN GROSS SALES.

THE MALL IS NOW 80% LEASED, AN INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR.

>>> THE STOCK MARKET HAD A ROCKY SEPTEMBER, AND SO FAR A VOLATILE NOVEMBER.

TYPICALLY, THE STOCK MARKET PERFORMS WELL FOLLOWING THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO SAM STIR BALL, THE CHIEF INVESTMENT STRATEGIST AT THE FRA RESEARCH.

>> IN THE 12 MONTHS UNTIL THE YEAR LATER, THE MARKET HAS RISEN EVERY SINGLE TIME, AND THE AVERAGE TOTAL RETURN WAS IN ADVANCE OF 21%.

SO HISTORY BASICALLY SAYS, THE MARKET IS VERY HAPPY TO BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF ONCE THIS UNCERTAINTY HAS ENDED.

>> WITH THE CONTROL OF CONGRESS YET TO BE DECIDED, UNCERTAIN CONTINUES FOR A BIT.

HERE'S HOW THE MARKET REACTED TO THAT TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND THESE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORTS PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER.

WE KEEP LIFE FLOWING.

ONLINE AT NEWJERSEYAM.COM.

AND BY NEW JERSEY CPAs, PROTECTING THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES, COMPANIES, AND ECONOMIES.

ONLINE AT NJCPA.COM.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BUT IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE ELECTION RESULTS OR WANT TO SEE ALL THE STORIES SURROUNDING THE WINDS AND THE LOSSES FROM LAST NIGHT, WE GOT YOU COVERED.

HAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CLICK ON THE NJ DECIDES 2022 TAB.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

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LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT HELPS ME GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH.

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BECAUSE WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.

THIS IS MY LIFE, AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.

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