Joe Pepitone

August 14, 2007 - 6:10pm

Cumberland and Salem freeholder races competitive, as always

Cumberland and Salem are two of the most politically competitive counties in the state, but Democrats have maintained majorities on Freeholder boards in recent years in these two small counties.

Right now, Democrats have a 6-1 majority in Salem and a 5-2 majority in Cumberland. Come November, even if Republicans sweep all four of the upcoming freeholder races in those counties, they’ll still be the minority in both. Democrats, on the other hand, have an opportunity to completely shut out Republicans in Salem.

Countywide races in Cumberland and Salem tend to be close, with ticket splitting the norm. It’s not unusual for each party to win a Freeholder seat. In 2006, Tom Kean, Jr. beat Bob Menendez for U.S. Senate in Salem County, while Menendez carried Cumberland. In 2004, George W. Bush beat John Kerry in Salem but lost in Cumberland.

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