New counts in Cape May and Gloucester expand Salerno’s narrow lead
This story was updated at 4:05 PM with additional votes counted in Cape May County and again at 6:08 PM with more votes in Ocean County.
Democrat Joe Salerno has increased his lead to 377 votes in the Democratic primary for Congress in New Jersey’s 2nd district after more votes were counted today in Cape May, Gloucester, and Ocean counties.
Salerno now leads Tim Alexander, 13,805 to 12,417, (38.2%-37.1%), in the race to pick a Democratic opponent for Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis).
A businessman and first-time candidate, Salerno had led by 241 votes last night; he was ahead by 227 votes on Friday and 441 on election night.
Carolyn Rush remains in third place with 7,722 votes (21.4%), followed by Rodney Dean, who has garnered 1,207 (3.3%).
The race remains too close to call. Atlantic County is expected to count more ballots on Wednesday and Cumberland has set their next count for Saturday.
Salerno picked up 373 votes today after gaining 232 votes in Cape May, 141 votes in Gloucester, and 31 in Ocean. Alexander added 230, including 106 in Cape May, 124 in Gloucester, and 27 in Ocean. Rush’s total increased by 180 and Dean’s by 13.
Alexander is seeking a rematch with Van Drew after losing to him in 2022. This is Rush’s second loss in a Democratic congressional primary.
