The contests to watch

While control of the Legislature isn't expected to change tonight, there are several races on the state, county and local level worth watching. Not to mention the statewide public questions.

Among them:

Statewide
Beck (R) v. Karcher (D), 12th District Senate
Panter-Mallet (D) v. O'Scanlon-Casagrande (R), 12th District Assembly
Kean (R) v. Villapiano (D), 11th District Senate
Angelini-Rible (R) v. Napolitani-Pirnat (D), 11th District Assembly
Asselta (R) v. Van Drew, 1st District Senate
Whelan (D) v. McCullough (R), 2nd District Senate
Bodine (D) v. Haines (R), 8th District Senate
Ariyan (D) v. Cardinale (R)
Outside of these districts, there is likely to be little drama. In order for the GOP to gain in the Senate, now controlled by Democrats, 22-18, they need to win each of the Senate races listed above - a tall order. The Democrats' best chance of stealing a Senate seat is probaby in District 2, with Whelan; they also have a good shot in District 1, with Van Drew.

County
D'Amico-Schueler (D) v. Clifton-Cantor (R), Monmouth County freeholder
Hill (D) v. Guadagno (R), Monmouth County sheriff
Choudary (D) v. French (R), Monmouth County clerk
If both Democrats win in the freeholder race, Democrats will assume control of the board for the first time in two decades.

Local
Marlboro mayoral race, Kleinberg (R) v. Hornik (D)
Brick mayoral race Kelly (D) v. Acropolis (R)
Toms River 3-way mayoral race
Highlands, 4-way mayoral race