Republicans Attempt to End Democrats' Two-Decade Control of New Jersey Legislature Amid Undercurrent of Parental Rights and Wind Power Debates

Democrats' policies on property tax rebates, abortion rights, and wind farms battle with Republicans' focus on parental rights and failures of wind initiative; key races to determine the fate of the 80-member Assembly and 40-seat Senate.

• The New Jersey State Legislature elections are seen as a midterm test of Governor Phil Murphy's popularity, with all 120 seats on the ballot as Republicans aim to gain control for the first time in over two decades.
• Local school board races being held on the same day could influence the outcome of the elections, with a conservative 'parents' rights' movement active across the state opposing policies that prohibit schools from outing transgender students to their parents.
• Misinformation around the death of whales allegedly due to wind power has fueled activism against wind power in districts like that of Democrat Sen. Vin Gopal, who is considered at risk of losing his seat. Renewed opposition was fueled by the recent halt of two major offshore wind projects by Danish company Orsted.
• Democrats have underscored their role in delivering property tax rebates over the last two years and in pledging to defend abortion rights, while Republicans have attributed the state's failure in recognizing parental rights in schools to the Democrats' two-decade control.
• The Republican Party has refrained from asserting predictions of gaining control, but expressed optimism following their gain of seven legislative seats in 2021. Nevertheless, the Democratic Party holds a 25-15 seat advantage in the Senate and a 46-34 edge in the Assembly.

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