Frank Lautenberg (D) wins re-election as New Jersey senator

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) has been projected by the Newark Star-Ledger to win a fifth term in office, beating Republican challenger Dick Zimmer.

Lautenberg has represented New Jersey in the senate for all but two of the last 26 years.

In his campaign, Lautenberg had positioned himself has an opponent to the policies of the Bush administration. He also pledged to fight against special interests, especially the oil, tobacco, alcohol and firearms lobbies.

Recent independent polls had indicated that most voters hadn’t heard of Zimmer, who entered into the race relatively late. The incumbent also had significantly more in campaign funding than his competitor.

In his campaign, Zimmer had criticized Lautenberg's age - he is 84 years old - as well as his unwillingness to debate. The two candidates debated only twice, both times within weeks of election day.

-Princetonian Senior Writer Doug Eshleman '10