By Kathy Shwiff
It may be a week before the final results of the race for at least one state Assembly seat in District 25 are known.
Democratic challenger Marisa Sweeney is leading Republican incumbent Christian Barranco by 245 votes, according to unofficial results as of Wednesday morning, Nov. 5.
Yet to be counted are provisional ballots and ballots placed in election dropboxes and in the mail.
On Wednesday, Sweeney said she is “cautiously optimistic that I can maintain this lead and we can flip one of the seats. That gives Democrats something to build on.”
If she wins, she would be the first Democrat to represent Morris County in the Assembly since 1978.
Republican incumbent Aura Dunn was leading the four candidates with 47,605 votes, with 95 percent of the precincts reporting, according to the Associated Press.
Sweeney, a member of the Morristown planning board, had 46,960 votes and Barranco, who was seeking a third term in the Assembly, had 46,715.
Democrat Steve Pylypchuk, a Morristown councilman, had 44,857.
On Wednesday, Barranco said he had not expected the race to be so close. “I don’t think anyone did.”
Asked to explain the results, he said, “It could be a multitude of reasons, honestly. I don’t know which one to pick.” On Election Night, a reporter asked if President Trump could have factored into voters’ calculations about which party to back.
“I don’t think anybody can say yes or no on that one, but it seems that way, right?” Barranco said.
Sweeney, a small-business owner in Morristown for the past 15 years, said she went into the race as an underdog and losing would be expected.
“I went into this in hopes of being someone that could bring the change that we really need to New Jersey.”
She said she was proud of the campaign she ran with Pylypchuk. “Me and Steve campaigned together in every sense of the word… We would drive together. We knocked on doors together.”
Speculating on why she was in second place, she suggested name recognition from her businesses and her involvement in the community. “I did a lot of social media too.
“I think a lot of people connected with some of the ideas and some of the policies I was talking about.”
She said several Republicans told her they voted for her. “That means that I’ve been able to connect across the party lines with people, and that’s something that I want to bring to Trenton. If we really want to get work done, we have to find ways to reach across the aisle and work with people that are going to put people first.”
Sweeney also promised, “My efforts are not going to stop whether I get in office or not.”
Dunn of Mendham Borough has been in the Assembly since 2019.
She and Pylypchuk did not immediately return calls for comment. On Election Night, when early returns were looking positive, Pylypchuk said he and Sweeney were treated well in red parts of the district.
“Everyone we talked to has been amazing, regardless of what the outcome of this situation is,” he said. “I feel like I have 15 new best friends throughout the district. Rockaway has turned into a new home for us, that’s just how warm and welcoming they’ve been. We’ve gone up to Boonton, even West Milford, and been welcomed with open arms.”
District 25 includes 18 towns in Morris County, including Morristown and Morris Township, as well as West Milford in Passaic County.
Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.
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Marxism is still very much alive in New Jersey.
Great to see new faces running for office with a positive message.
Glad she won.
Marisa Sweeney got so many votes because she’s been authentically involved in the community for years before running for office was even on the horizon. She is hard working, practical, and compassionate. We will be lucky to have her representing us.
Congratulations Marisa! Aura Dunn is Done in 2027.