Democrat Norcross Wins Re-Election To Congress

Rep. Donald Norcross is projected to win re-election to the First Congressional District, according to unofficial results posted by Politico and The Washington Post.

With all precincts reporting, Norcross had 63.4 percent of the votes, while Dilks had 34.2 percent. Results can be found below:

Donald Norcross (D): 63.4 percent

Paul Dilks (R): 34.2 percent

Robert Shapiro (L): 1.1 percent

Paul Hamlin (I): 0.9 percent

Mohammad Kabir (I): 0.4 percent

Norcross has represented the district, which covers parts of Camden, Gloucester and Burlington counties, since 2014, when he defeated Republican Gary Cobb to win the seat that became available when Rob Andrews resigned.

No Republican has held the seat since John E. Hunt was in office from 1967-74. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as 229,528 of the district’s 512,548 total registered voters are Democrats as of Sept. 30, according to the New Jersey State Department of Elections. The next largest group of voters is unaffiliated, as there are 195,341 voters in that group. There are 83,608 registered Republicans.

RELATED: 2018 Election Results: Vote A Referendum On 'Trump's GOP'

This year, one town in the district is experimenting with paper ballots. Read more here: National Park Voters To Test Paper Ballot Program On Election Day

On Election Day, voters in Cherry Hill were apparently confused about a recent change in state law that mandates anyone who voted-by-mail in 2016 be mailed a mail-in-ballot again, even if they didn't request one. Read more here: New Law Causes Confusion At Cherry Hill Polling Location

The non-stop pouring rain did not keep voters home in what could be a record turnout midterm election. Even with the various issues facing local communities, President Trump was on their minds.

In one polling location, some shouted out, "Dump Trump!" while others walked in right beside them and excitedly said they think Trump is doing an excellent job.

"We are total Republicans and Trump has done everything right. We're voting for Hugin," said New Jersey resident Lorraine Luzzo, 82, with her husband, Louis.

"The economy is doing well, there are jobs, patriotism is back in our country," she said.

Others had clearly different views

"President Dump, as I call him, is hands-down the worst president we've had in a long time," said New Jersey resident Steve Laspina, 64. "He is ... an embarrassment to our country. I'm embarrassed by his racist policies and what he says."

"I agree!," said a woman walking by. "He is immoral, he's terrible."

Others said they weren't bothered by issues facing the man at the top of the Democratic ticket – Sen. Robert Menendez – who has been dogged by corruption charges for years

"That did bother me, but not as much as I hate Trump," chimed in another Democratic voter, who only wanted to be identified as Nick, 72. "And that doesn't bother me as much as Hugin being a big pharmaceutical executive and making millions off sick cancer patients. And Hugin raised thousands of dollars for Trump in New Jersey. He's a big Trump supporter."

"The corruption charges bother me, but Menendez is the lesser of two evils," said Dominick Rose, 36 who said he's begrudgingly voting for Menendez today. "I didn't like either Hugin or Menendez but you have to pick one."

Michael Alarcon, 42, is a Republican who voted for Trump. He said he will be voting for Hugin today because he thinks Trump has done a good job.

"Liberal Democrats screamed and yelled over the past two years and that's not how you govern. Instead, all that screaming and yelling is what has driven a lot of Republicans out to vote today," he predicted. "I think Trump has done an excellent job on the economy and on immigration."

Alarcon, who is Latino, was educated at Harvard University, works in finance, but declined to give details beyond that, saying readers would just stereotype him as a wealthy Republican.

"I have gotten some pushback from fellow Latinos for supporting Trump. But I think there is a separation in the Latino community between people who just believe what they read on the news and people who fact check it, and find the truth is quite different," he said. "And the media definitely has a purposefully negative attitude towards Trump."

Alarcon said he doesn't think Trump's immigration policies or rhetoric have been racist at all.

"He wants to make sure there is order in our immigration system. He respects people who follow the laws and due process to get into our country," he said. "And he's very correct in acknowledging that people do do things to take advantage, such as child trafficking and smuggling in drugs and guns and criminals. This is not about race at all."

Rose manages a car dealership and voted for Republican George W. Bush ("He was actually my favorite president"), Barack Obama, Trump and Gov. Phil Murphy. He said he would have voted for Bernie Sanders if he had been the candidate against Trump.

"I just try to look at the issues. This is actually the first time I've ever voted in a midterm. But to me, the issues are too important today: Healthcare, legalizing marijuana, which I strongly support, and tax reform," he said. "I think Trump has done a good job so far. But Hugin is not for legalizing marijuana, which I support."

Norcross says he opposes efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, and would rather enact reforms that “lower costs and improve outcomes.” He also wants to preserve coverage for anyone with pre-existing conditions and ensure continued funding for Planned Parenthood.

He has worked to bring body cameras to police officers in New Jersey, something he says benefits both law enforcement and those accused of crimes. He also pushed for bail reform that focuses on the accused’s danger to the community as opposed to how much money they have to make bail. He has also worked for stiffer penalties when it comes to illegal gun trafficking.

He’s worked on strengthening infrastructure and said he will continue to work to bring more jobs to New Jersey. He also supports raising the federal minimum wage, boost education and make it accessible to everyone, and invest in renewable energy and reduce America’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Dilks says he is in favor of an increased minimum wage if employers are penalized for replacing employees with automation. The penalty they pay would go to a fund, with retirees receiving 5 percent of the funds. It would also help seniors supplement their Medicare.

He believes high school students entering their junior year should have the option to go to trade or vocational school so they can enter the workforce when they are 18 years old. Because they would be in trade school as part of the educational system through local school districts, they wouldn’t be bogged down by student loans.

He believes DACA immigrants should help pay for a border wall with Mexico. He believes in a 10-year path to citizenship, and 50 years of community service each year to help immigrants become involved in American life. He says he is pro-life, but would consider a compromise in the case of rape, incest and if the life of the mother are at risk. He also supports the Second Amendment.

For more on each candidate in the race, click on the links below:
Donald Norcross
Paul Dilks
Robert Shapiro
Paul Hamlin
Mohammad Kabir

Patch Editor Carly Baldwin contributed to this report

Attached image courtesy the Norcross for Congress Campaign