New Jersey’s 4th District House Race

Many Republicans facing tough November races are avoiding next week's GOP midterm convention in Dallas, the first held by a major party in over four decades. A POLITICO survey found roughly 45 of more than 70 GOP candidates and members contacted are skipping or undecided, citing scheduling conflicts, high attendance fees, and reluctance to appear alongside President Donald Trump, who is set to headline with Vice President JD Vance. Top leaders including Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune plan to attend, along with 2028 hopefuls like Sen. Ted Cruz.

Separately, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is weighing disciplinary action against Reps. Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez after the two Democrats helped Republicans pass a procedural rule, prompting a referral to the caucus's rules panel. Other pending items include a bipartisan bill policing lawmaker misconduct, a possible September floor vote on Russia sanctions legislation, and an unresolved GOP split over regulating data centers ahead of the midterms.

New Jersey holds its general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with voter registration closed as of October 13 and mail-in ballot requests due by October 27. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. statewide. Top races include the U.S. Senate contest, where Democratic incumbent Cory Booker faces Republican Justin Murphy and several third-party and write-in candidates. All 12 of New Jersey's House seats are also on the ballot, with the 2nd Congressional District drawing particular attention as Republican incumbent Jeff Van Drew, who switched parties in 2019, defends his seat against Democratic challenger Zack Mullock, mayor of Cape May, and independent Ramon Mora Jr.

The Republican National Committee has filed a federal lawsuit against New Jersey election officials, including Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell and the secretary of state, seeking data on noncitizens registered to vote. State officials have acknowledged roughly 6,600 noncitizen registrations, though the Trump administration estimates the true figure could be 35,000 or higher. Rep. Tom Kean has filed a separate suit as a New Jersey constituent.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill has refused to turn over voter data to federal officials, citing privacy concerns for state residents. A spokesman for Sherrill said Republicans have made similar requests in other states more than twenty times without success in court. The RNC had asked New Jersey to explain by September how noncitizens were added to voter rolls, what removal efforts are underway, and who is responsible for oversight. The dispute comes as both parties intensify efforts around voter roll accuracy and election administration ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The list of Republicans weighing 2028 presidential bids is growing as President Trump's approval ratings decline and Democrats appear favored for a strong showing in the November midterms. Sen. John Kennedy recently joined a field that already includes former Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Rand Paul, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Ted Cruz, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and possibly Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Some hopefuls are positioning themselves to inherit the MAGA base, including Donald Trump Jr., who denies interest but polls strongly among hypothetical candidates. Others, like Christie, are distancing themselves from Trump's legacy, arguing Vice President J.D. Vance would be hurt by association with an unpopular administration.

Polling shows Vance still leads the GOP field but has lost ground, with Trump Jr. gaining support. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also draw notable backing, while Nikki Haley says she won't run. Cruz and Vance have publicly sparred, with most contenders waiting on midterm results before deciding.

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned last week after an independent investigation, led by former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino, substantiated multiple allegations of harassment and ethics violations. Gov. Mikie Sherrill said the probe found "a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this administration." Findings included inappropriate remarks toward young women, pushing for the promotion of a romantic partner in another state department without disclosure, and bringing nonpaying personal guests to official ticketed events. Caldwell, who also served as the state's chief elections official, continues to deny the allegations but stepped down nonetheless.

Caldwell was Sherrill's own running mate, chosen less than a year ago, making her swift response notable in a state with a long history of tolerated official misconduct. Sherrill said she would name a new lieutenant governor within 45 days, a decision with added significance given the upcoming midterm election and election-security concerns.

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned Friday, a day after Gov. Mikie Sherrill released a 61-page report from a four-month investigation, led by former Attorney General Christopher Porrino's law firm, substantiating findings of sexual harassment and repeated ethics violations. Investigators found credible evidence that Caldwell made an unwanted romantic advance toward a staffer's friend, sought a promotion for a state employee he was secretly dating, and brought unpaid guests to ticketed events despite prior warnings. Sherrill said the episode reflected a longstanding Trenton culture of overlooking sexual harassment that her administration would no longer tolerate.

Caldwell, who is Black, suggested race played a role in the allegations and disputes the report's findings, saying he resigned to avoid distracting from Sherrill's administration; days later he preached at his church about false accusations. Acting Comptroller Shirley Emehelu now oversees the Division of Elections ahead of the midterms, while Senate President Nicholas Scutari serves as acting governor when needed. Sherrill has 45 days to name a permanent replacement, with reports suggesting she may favor another Black leader, possibly a woman, for the role.

An investigation commissioned by New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill found that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment and violated state ethics rules. The 61-page report, released Thursday, concluded Caldwell told a female staffer that "you young women are looking for young sperm" after she said a younger friend was not interested in him — a remark investigators deemed harassment and found his denial not credible. The staffer said she later tried to distance herself from him at work. The report also substantiated ethics violations: Caldwell twice sought a promotion for his girlfriend without disclosing the relationship, continuing even after being notified of the investigation, and brought nonpaying guests to seven official events despite repeated warnings and training.

The inquiry began in May after an anonymous complaint to the state's ethics officer. Attorney Christopher Porrino and former prosecutor Shontae Gray led the investigation, interviewing at least 17 people. Caldwell has denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations false and politically motivated. Sherrill gave him until Friday to resign, calling the findings "extremely troubling" and citing a pattern of behavior. Caldwell oversees the Department of State and elections, including the upcoming November midterms.

Communities across New Jersey will mark the 11th annual Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day on October 6, an awareness effort organized by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) in cooperation with the Governor's Council on Substance Use Disorder and the state Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. This year's observance places added emphasis on opioid safety and safer pain management for older adults, alongside PDFNJ's Healthy Aging Campaign resources.

New Jersey recorded 1,312 suspected drug overdose deaths in 2025, down 27 percent from 2024, according to the state's Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, including 365 deaths among residents 55 and older. Nationally, 36 percent of adults 65 and older experience chronic pain, and about 12.8 percent fill an outpatient opioid prescription annually. Local events include a Union City outreach with Congressman Rob Menendez and St. Francis Academy students distributing bilingual educational flyers. New Jersey lawmakers have permanently designated October 6 for the observance.

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer marked the third anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel by unveiling a package of bipartisan measures honoring victims, hostages and survivors. The event was held in Tenafly, New Jersey, alongside the family of Edan Alexander, a local native who was held captive in Gaza for 584 days before his release in May 2025.

The October 7 Remembrance Resolution, backed by 50 co-sponsors, commemorates the attack, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, supports a Gaza free of Hamas rule and condemns rising antisemitism. Gottheimer also renewed support for the Oct. 7 Congressional Gold Medal Act, the Oct. 7 Remembrance Education Act, and new legislation pressuring the United Nations to designate Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations. He cited a surge in antisemitic incidents since 2023, noting New Jersey ranked third nationally and Bergen County recorded the state's highest total.

Other New Jersey and New York officials, including Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Gov. Kathy Hochul, also issued statements marking the anniversary and condemning antisemitism.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign by Friday after an independent investigation found he engaged in sexual harassment and violated state ethics rules. The 61-page report, led by former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino, concluded that Caldwell twice sought a state job promotion for his girlfriend, made a sexually charged comment to a staff member, and ignored repeated warnings about his conduct.

The probe began in May after Sherrill's office received an anonymous letter alleging inappropriate behavior by Caldwell, a former president of Centenary University. Caldwell has denied the allegations through his attorney, Thomas Calcagni, who called the investigation one-sided and lacking due process; Caldwell has suggested race and gender bias played a role, as he is Black. Sen. Cory Booker and other Democrats have backed Sherrill's call for resignation. Caldwell has given no indication he intends to step down, raising the possibility of a prolonged standoff with the governor over New Jersey's second-highest office.