New Jersey’s 15th Legislative District

New Jersey’s 15th Legislative District is one of the state’s most politically significant regions — and with the 2025 general election set for Tuesday, November 4, 2025, voters here will once again play a key role in shaping Trenton’s future.

This district is home to the state capital, Trenton, and stretches across Mercer and Hunterdon counties. It includes municipalities such as Ewing, Lawrence, Pennington, West Windsor, and Hopewell in Mercer County, as well as Lambertville, Frenchtown, Delaware Township, Stockton, Kingwood, East Amwell, and West Amwell in Hunterdon County. The diversity of this region — from the urban energy of Trenton to the rural landscapes of Hunterdon — makes LD15 a unique cross-section of New Jersey politics.

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Who Represents LD15?

The 15th Legislative District is a Democratic stronghold, with registered Democrats significantly outnumbering Republicans. This political makeup often shapes the ballot, with some races going uncontested.

State Senate

Incumbent: Senator Shirley Turner (D) – Turner, one of the longest-serving lawmakers in New Jersey, is running for her seventh term. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation as a steady voice in the Statehouse, advocating for education, healthcare, and economic fairness.
Challenger: Roger Locandro (R) – A business owner and former mayor of Delaware Township, Locandro is bringing a Republican challenge in a district where Democrats hold a clear edge. His candidacy introduces a contested race in what is otherwise a one-party-dominant landscape.

General Assembly

Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D) – Running for reelection.
Assemblyman Anthony S. Verrelli (D) – Also seeking another term.

No Republicans filed to run for the two Assembly seats in LD15. That means the Democratic incumbents are essentially guaranteed reelection in November.

Key Election Dates for LD15 Voters

Voting in New Jersey is designed to be accessible, whether you prefer casting your ballot early, by mail, or at the polls on Election Day. Here’s what voters in LD15 need to know:

Vote-by-Mail Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Applications must be received (not just postmarked) by your county clerk by this date.
Vote-by-Mail Submission: Completed ballots can be mailed, dropped into a secure ballot drop box, or delivered to your county Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Early Voting Period: Saturday, October 25 – Sunday, November 2, 2025. Early voting locations will be open daily during this period.
Election Day: Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. across Mercer and Hunterdon counties.

The 15th Legislative District carries symbolic weight as the district representing New Jersey’s capital city. While Democrats have long dominated local elections, contested races — like this year’s State Senate seat — test the strength of that advantage.

For voters, this election is not just about party lines; it’s about choosing who best represents the needs of communities as varied as urban Trenton and rural Frenchtown. With statewide policy debates on affordability, infrastructure, and public safety at the forefront, the choices made in LD15 will help shape how those issues are addressed in Trenton.

Stay up to date with the latest coverage at Explore New Jersey Politics.

Who’s Running in LD15?

State Senate

Incumbent: Senator Shirley Turner (D) – Running for her seventh term, Turner has long been a fixture in New Jersey politics, known for her advocacy on education, healthcare, and consumer protections.
Challenger: Roger Locandro (R) – A business owner and former mayor of Delaware Township, Locandro is mounting a Republican challenge in a heavily Democratic district.

General Assembly

Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D) – Incumbent seeking reelection.
Assemblyman Anthony S. Verrelli (D) – Incumbent seeking reelection.

No Republicans filed for Assembly in LD15, effectively guaranteeing Reynolds-Jackson and Verrelli another term.

LD15 Town-by-Town Breakdown

LD15 includes urban, suburban, and rural communities, giving the district a diverse political and cultural makeup. Here’s a closer look at each municipality in the district:

Mercer County Communities

Trenton

The State Capital and the district’s political center.
Strong Democratic majority, historically delivering large margins for Democratic candidates.
Issues: affordability, public safety, revitalization of downtown, and state government’s relationship with local communities.

Ewing Township

A suburban community home to The College of New Jersey (TCNJ).
Leans Democratic but has pockets of independent and moderate Republican voters.
Issues: education, property taxes, and transportation infrastructure.

Lawrence Township

Suburban, with a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors.
Consistently votes Democratic in statewide elections.
Issues: school funding, open space preservation, and development planning.

Hopewell Borough & Hopewell Township

Known for their strong civic engagement and active local politics.
Lean Democratic but with a history of competitive local races.
Issues: land use, environmental conservation, and maintaining community character.

Pennington

A small but politically active borough.
Leans Democratic but includes influential independent voters.
Issues: education, small business support, and community services.

West Windsor

A diverse and growing suburb, with a large Asian-American population.
Leans Democratic but often sees strong turnout across the political spectrum.
Issues: schools, infrastructure, and housing development.

Hunterdon County Communities

Lambertville

A progressive river town with a vibrant arts and cultural scene.
Strong Democratic base, making it one of the most liberal areas in Hunterdon County.
Issues: environmental protection, small business support, and flood mitigation.

Frenchtown

Small, historic river town with an eclectic community.
Generally leans Democratic but includes independent-minded voters.
Issues: riverfront preservation, tourism, and local economic growth.

Delaware Township

More rural, with a stronger Republican presence than much of the district.
Home base of Senate challenger Roger Locandro.
Issues: farmland preservation, property taxes, and rural infrastructure.

East Amwell Township

Mix of rural landscapes and small neighborhoods.
Politically split, with Democrats gaining ground in recent years.
Issues: land use, zoning, and environmental protection.

West Amwell Township

Rural with agricultural roots.
Tends more conservative compared to other parts of LD15.
Issues: land preservation, taxes, and balancing growth with rural identity.

Stockton

Tiny Delaware River borough known for its historic charm.
Lean Democratic but with a small electorate.
Issues: local tourism, riverfront concerns, and infrastructure upkeep.

Kingwood Township

Largely rural, with a more Republican-leaning population.
Issues: land preservation, taxes, and rural development pressures.

How to Vote in LD15

LD15 voters have multiple ways to cast their ballots in 2025:

Vote by Mail: Apply by October 28, 2025. Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Early Voting: Runs from Saturday, October 25 through Sunday, November 2, 2025 at designated polling locations.
Election Day: Polls open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

👉 Full election details available at Explore New Jersey Politics.

Why LD15 Matters in 2025

While Democrats dominate voter registration in LD15, the State Senate race introduces competition. Senator Shirley Turner’s bid for a seventh term against Republican Roger Locandro will be closely watched, not only for its outcome but also for what it reveals about voter trends in suburban and rural Hunterdon County.

The General Assembly race is uncontested, highlighting the Democratic Party’s strong position in Mercer County. Still, towns like Delaware, Kingwood, and West Amwell remain Republican-leaning, giving the district its unique mix of solid blue and competitive red pockets.

For residents of LD15, the 2025 election is about more than party loyalty — it’s about who can best address local concerns from Trenton to Lambertville to Ewing.

Stay tuned to Explore New Jersey Politics for continuing coverage.

✅ Quick Takeaways

Senate: Shirley Turner (D) faces Roger Locandro (R).
Assembly: Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D) and Anthony Verrelli (D) are unopposed.
Key Issues: Taxes, education, land use, public safety, and affordability.
Election Day: November 4, 2025, with early voting and mail-in options available.

✅ Bottom Line:

Senator Shirley Turner (D) faces a challenge from Roger Locandro (R) for the LD15 Senate seat.
Assemblymembers Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D) and Anthony S. Verrelli (D) are running unopposed for reelection.
Voters in Mercer and Hunterdon counties have until October 28 to apply for a mail-in ballot and can cast their votes early beginning October 25.

LD15 may be a Democratic stronghold, but 2025 still brings an important Senate contest to watch.