You’ve probably seen the headlines about the 2025 statewide races, but looking closely at the Hunterdon County election results tells a much more nuanced story about where this corner of New Jersey is heading. It wasn't just a "red wave" or a "blue ripple." It was a tug-of-war in a county that is famously stubborn about its politics.
Honestly, the energy at the polls this past November was different. We saw a massive jump in turnout—hitting over 51% statewide, but even higher in local pockets like Bethlehem Township, where turnout cleared a staggering 65%. People weren't just voting; they were making a point. While the state was busy electing Mikie Sherrill as the new Governor, Hunterdon was doing its own thing, sticking to its Republican roots while showing some surprising cracks in the armor.
The Top of the Ticket: Sherrill vs. Ciattarelli
If you look at the raw numbers for the Governor’s race, Jack Ciattarelli took Hunterdon County with about 52% of the vote. Mikie Sherrill trailed with 47.4%. On the surface, that looks like a standard GOP win. But here is the kicker: that single-digit margin is the closest a Democrat has come to winning Hunterdon County since 1977.
Think about that for a second.
In a county that has been a Republican stronghold for nearly half a century, the gap narrowed to just about five points. Sherrill actually managed to flip towns that used to be deep red. She carried places like Clinton Town, Delaware Township, and Flemington. Even Lambertville and Frenchtown—traditional blue islands—saw even wider margins than usual. It suggests that the "suburban shift" we keep hearing about on the news isn't just talk; it’s actually happening in the rolling hills of Hunterdon.
Legislative Districts and the Status Quo
While the Governor's race was tight, the Legislative results were a bit more predictable. Hunterdon is split across several districts, and the incumbents largely held their ground.
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- 23rd District: John DiMaio and Erik Peterson, both Republicans, held onto their seats with a comfortable lead. DiMaio, who serves as the Assembly Minority Leader, has a massive footprint here.
- 16th District: This is where things stay interesting. Democrats Roy Freiman and Mitchelle Drullis beat out their GOP challengers, Catherine Payne and Scott Sipos. This district continues to be a battleground that leans blue, further cementing the divide between the county's eastern and western halves.
- 15th District: Anthony Verrelli and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson won their uncontested races. No drama there, basically.
The Local Scuffles You Might Have Missed
The real "nitty-gritty" of the Hunterdon County election results often lives in the municipal races. This is where neighbors run against neighbors, and the issues are about property taxes and warehouse development rather than national culture wars.
In the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners race, the GOP kept its grip. Zachary Rich and Susan Soloway continue to serve, maintaining a 5-0 Republican majority on the board. For many residents, this represents a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality regarding county services and the budget.
Down in the towns, we saw some fascinating shifts:
- East Amwell: Dante DiPirro and Michael Dendis secured wins, showing a strong showing for the local Democratic committee.
- Flemington Borough: Susan Engelhardt and Elizabeth Herbert took seats on the council.
- West Amwell: Brian Fitting and Joan Vanderveen won their spots on the Township Committee.
It’s easy to ignore these small-town tallies, but they are the bedrock of local governance. These are the people deciding if that new warehouse goes up or if your local park gets a face-lift.
Why the 2026 Special Election is Already Looming
Wait, wasn't the election just over? Kinda.
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Because Mikie Sherrill won the Governor's seat, her 11th Congressional District seat became vacant. This has triggered a massive scramble for a special election in early 2026. While most of Hunterdon sits in the 7th District (represented by Republican Tom Kean Jr.), the political shockwaves are felt everywhere.
Tom Malinowski, the former Congressman who used to represent the 7th, has been leading the Hunterdon County Democratic Party. His name is back in the mix for the 11th District special primary. This matters because the leadership and resources he funnels into Hunterdon can change the math for 2026 and beyond. If the Democrats keep chipping away at the GOP's 5-point lead in the county, we could see a very different landscape when Kean Jr. up for reelection.
Actionable Insights for Hunterdon Voters
If you’re looking at these results and wondering what it means for your daily life, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Check Your Registration: With special elections and primaries coming up fast in early 2026, don't wait until November. The deadline for the special primary is often weeks before the actual vote.
- Watch the Board of Commissioners: Since the GOP maintains total control, their meetings are the place to go if you have thoughts on the county budget or land preservation. They meet regularly in Flemington, and honestly, more people should show up.
- Look at Your School Board: Many of these races were decided by fewer than 50 votes. Your vote in a local school board race has roughly 100x more "power" than your vote for Governor.
The Hunterdon County election results prove that while the county is still "red" on the map, the shade is turning a bit more purple every year. Whether that's due to new residents moving in from the city or long-time locals changing their minds, the days of 20-point landslides in Hunterdon seem to be over.
To stay updated on the official certification of these tallies or to find your specific district's data, the Hunterdon County Clerk’s website remains the gold standard for raw data. They typically post the final, certified "Official Results by District" PDFs about two weeks after the election. It's worth a look if you want to see exactly how your specific street voted.
Moving forward, keep an eye on the 11th District special primary scheduled for February 5, 2026. Even if you aren't in that district, the turnout and winner will tell us everything we need to know about the political momentum heading into the next big cycle.