Republicans make gains in Murphy 'midterm' election.

Byline: Daniel J. Munoz

Republicans picked up seats in the state Legislature and narrowly held onto spots in the most contested, purple-turning-blue legislative districts during Tuesday's "midterms" on Gov. Phil Murphy's job as the state's chief executive.

Democrats currently hold a 27-13 majority in the state Senate and 54-26 majority in the Assembly, both of which will change just slightly in Republican's favor this January.

Meanwhile, in Jersey City where both sides for and against an AirBnB ordinance spent a combined $5 million in an effort to sway voters residents approved a referendum allowing the city government to go ahead with implementing new restrictions on short-term rentals.

In the First Legislative District, Republican Senate candidate Mike Testa beat Democratic Sen. Bob Andrzejczak by more than 3,500 votes.

In the same district, Republican Assembly candidates Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan unseated Democrat incumbents Bruce Land and Matthew Milan.The district has long been a Republican stronghold in the state U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who previously served as a state senator there, was one of just two House Democrats to vote no on impeachment proceedings against U.S. President Donald Trump.

Also in South Jersey, in the Second Legislative District, Republican Assembly candidates Philip Guenther and John Risley won the seats currently held by Democrat incumbents Vincent Mazzeo and John Armato.

But that race could be too close to call, as could several other races across the state where the apparent victors are leading by only single-digit percentage points.

All the numbers come from the...