Donald Norcross Declared Winner In NJ's 1st Congressional District

SOUTH JERSEY — Rep. Donald Norcross is set to represent New Jersey's 1st congressional district for a sixth term.

The Associated Press declared the Democratic incumbent as the winner at 10 p.m. Tuesday — two hours after polls closed. His opponent, Republican Teddy Liddell, conceded hours later.

Norcross holds 56.7 percent of the vote, with 89 percent of ballots counted in the deep-blue district as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Liddell is at 40.2 percent.

Liddell — an attorney and Army veteran — conceded early Wednesday morning.

"My race to win this election has ended, but my passion to serve others will never end," Liddell said in a statement. "During this election, I have gained over 136,000 new friends on the campaign trail and many, many more! I have learned so much! This has been an absolutely amazing journey - and I have no regrets."

Norcross was first elected to Congress in 2014. In his recent campaign, the former electrician and union leader focused heavily on worker's rights and making education more affordable.

The 1st Congressional District was last represented by a Republican in 1975. The district includes all of Camden County and portions of Burlington and Gloucester counties.

Two of Norcross's brothers, including Democratic Party powerbroker George Norcross, were indicted this year in a major political-corruption probe. The state accused George Norcross and his co-defendants of using their political influence to corruptly obtain lucrative waterfront real estate in Camden, threatening and extorting victims who got in their way.

Donald Norcross is not accused of any involvement in the alleged scheme. After the indictment, he told Patch, "I love my brothers. I believe in the rule of law and they will have the opportunity to defend themselves during their day in court."

George Norcross and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty. Their attorneys are scheduled to return to court in January in an effort to get the charges dismissed.

Here are the vote totals in New Jersey's 1st Congressional Race, according to the AP:

89 percent of votes counted as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday

• Donald Norcross (Democratic): 197,487 (57.6 percent)
• Theodore Liddell (Republican): 137,783 (40.2 percent)
• Robin Brownfield (Green): 5,311 (1.6 percent)
• Austin Johnson (independent): 1,957 (0.6 percent)