New Jersey’s 20th Legislative District, located in Union County, is one of the state’s most closely watched districts heading into the 2025 elections. Covering the communities of Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Roselle, and Union Township, LD20 has long been a Democratic stronghold, but shifting demographics and voter engagement trends continue to shape its political landscape.

A District with Deep Democratic Roots

For decades, the 20th District has been reliably Democratic in state legislative elections. Nearly half of all registered voters are Democrats, giving the party a strong organizational advantage during campaign season. By comparison, just 13% of registered voters identify as Republicans, with the remaining voters registering as unaffiliated or aligned with smaller parties.

That large bloc of unaffiliated voters has become increasingly important in recent elections. While Democratic candidates maintain a consistent edge, independents often decide local races and ballot measures. In a state where turnout can fluctuate significantly in off-year and midterm elections, LD20 serves as a barometer for how effectively parties energize their bases.

The Communities of LD20

The district’s four municipalities bring unique histories and identities to the mix:

Elizabeth – As Union County’s largest city, Elizabeth has a long tradition of political activism and voter engagement. Its diverse population and strong union presence play a major role in shaping district politics.
Kenilworth – A smaller borough with a suburban character, Kenilworth has a different political balance compared to Elizabeth, making it an important area for both parties to connect with voters.
Roselle – Known for its vibrant community spirit and historic significance as one of the first communities in the world powered by electricity, Roselle brings a blend of tradition and progressive politics to the district.
Union Township – A large and growing suburban community, Union Twp. reflects the demographic shifts of the region, with an expanding population and increasing political diversity.

Together, these towns create a district that is both historically Democratic and culturally dynamic.

What to Watch in 2025

As the 2025 state legislative elections approach, LD20 will likely continue to draw attention for several reasons:

Turnout trends – With a strong Democratic base, the key question is whether turnout remains consistent across Elizabeth and Union Township, where most of the district’s voters live.
Republican strategy – Although Republicans make up just a fraction of registered voters, their influence could be felt if they are able to make inroads with independents, particularly in Kenilworth.
Local issues – Voters in the district care deeply about issues like property taxes, affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and education funding. Candidates who connect these statewide concerns to the day-to-day lives of residents in Elizabeth, Roselle, Kenilworth, and Union Township will have the advantage.

Why LD20 Matters

While it has been reliably blue for decades, LD20 illustrates the evolving nature of New Jersey politics. It highlights the state’s demographic diversity, the power of urban centers, and the increasing role of unaffiliated voters who resist strict party labels. As one of Union County’s most important districts, its election outcomes also help shape the balance of power in Trenton.

For voters across New Jersey who want to stay informed on political developments and election updates, Explore New Jersey provides resources, analysis, and guides to help you understand the issues shaping the Garden State. To dive deeper into New Jersey politics and upcoming elections, visit our Politics section.

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2025 Election Guide: New Jersey’s 20th Legislative District (LD20)

New Jersey’s 20th Legislative District sits entirely in Union County and covers the City of Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Roselle, and Union Township. LD20 has been a Democratic stronghold for decades. Nearly half of registered voters in the district are Democrats, roughly 13% are Republicans, and the rest are largely unaffiliated—so campaigns are often won on turnout and persuasion among independents.

Tip: for more Garden State political coverage and district-by-district context, check out Explore New Jersey Politics: (https://explorenewjersey.org/politics/)

Quick district snapshot

County: Union
Municipalities: Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Roselle, Union Township
Partisan lean: Longtime Democratic advantage; unaffiliated voters are the largest swing bloc
Offices on the 2025 ballot: Two General Assembly seats (the State Senate seat is not up this year)

Who represents LD20 right now?

State Senate: Joseph P. Cryan (D)
General Assembly: Annette Quijano (D), Reginald W. Atkins (D)

Quijano is a veteran lawmaker and currently serves in Assembly leadership. Cryan is a former Assembly majority leader who now represents the district in the Senate. Atkins, elected in 2021, did not seek another term in 2025, creating one open Assembly seat this cycle.

Who’s on the 2025 ballot?

General Assembly (vote for two)

Annette Quijano (D) – incumbent Assembly member
Eduardo “Ed” Rodriguez (D) – former Elizabeth planning & community development director; won a closely contested Democratic primary for the open seat
Carmen Bucco (R) – GOP nominee

The Democratic ticket pairs an incumbent (Quijano) with a new face (Rodriguez). Republicans are fielding businessman Carmen Bucco. Because LD20 elects two Assembly members at-large, the top two vote-getters in November will win the seats, regardless of party.

Keep your readers in the loop with statewide race coverage and analysis on our politics hub: (https://explorenewjersey.org/politics/)

How the district votes: recent results at a glance

LD20 is reliably blue in most statewide and legislative contests, with Republicans occasionally showing pockets of strength in smaller municipalities like Kenilworth. In the most recent legislative general election (2023), Democrats swept the district:

State Senate: Sen. Joe Cryan (D) won districtwide.
General Assembly: Annette Quijano (D) and Reginald W. Atkins (D) both finished ahead of GOP challengers, with especially strong margins out of Elizabeth and Union Township.

Election-watchers should treat 2025 as another test of the district’s Democratic baseline versus any ticket-splitting for a Republican candidate with localized appeal.

What matters most to LD20 voters in 2025

While every campaign sets its own agenda, these themes consistently come up in LD20:

Affordability & property taxes – Cost of living and tax relief remain top-tier concerns for homeowners and renters in Union Township and Elizabeth alike.
Transit & infrastructure – LD20 commuters rely heavily on NJ Transit rail and bus connections; reliability, safety, and station-area improvements are recurring issues.
Public safety & quality of life – Neighborhood safety, fair policing, and community programs (youth, seniors, and reentry) are frequent local priorities.
Jobs & small business – Elizabeth’s commercial corridors and small-business districts across Roselle, Kenilworth, and Union are sensitive to permitting, fees, and main-street revitalization.
Education & workforce – School funding, classroom resources, and pathways from high school to local jobs or college matter across all four municipalities.

Campaign mail, debate answers, and candidate forums typically map right back to these kitchen-table topics—and how to fund them.

Municipality-by-municipality notes

Elizabeth: The district’s population and turnout engine. City issues—public safety, housing, and transit—often shape the districtwide narrative.
Union Township: Large suburban electorate with strong homeowner presence; affordability, property taxes, and neighborhood services dominate.
Roselle: Close-knit borough where quality-of-life and local investment (parks, streets, small business) resonate.
Kenilworth: The smallest of the four; Republicans can be more competitive here, so both parties work hard for marginal gains.

For more local flavor and ongoing updates statewide, explore our politics section: (https://explorenewjersey.org/politics/)

Why this race is worth watching

Open seat dynamics: With one Assembly seat open, alliances and turnout operations matter more than usual.
Post–primary storylines: Rodriguez’s primary win adds a fresh face to the general election and tests organization vs. insurgent energy.
Ticket-splitting potential: A single GOP nominee creates an interesting math problem—can a Republican consolidate enough anti-incumbent or independent votes to grab the second slot?
Municipal turnout mix: Big margins out of Elizabeth can decide the day; modest shifts in Kenilworth and parts of Union can tighten or widen outcomes.

Frequently asked (non-procedural) questions

Is the State Senate on the ballot in 2025?
Not in LD20. Only the two Assembly seats are up this year.

Do the two highest vote-getters win?
Yes. Voters can select up to two Assembly candidates. The top two finishers—regardless of party—win the district’s seats.

Where can readers find broader New Jersey election context?
Our statewide coverage and explainers live here: (https://explorenewjersey.org/politics/)

Bottom line

LD20 remains Democratic-leaning, but open-seat cycles can scramble the script. Watch the margin in Elizabeth, GOP performance in Kenilworth, and whether independent and unaffiliated voters break for continuity (Quijano/Rodriguez) or split the ticket to include the Republican nominee (Bucco). We’ll keep tracking the narrative and the numbers throughout the cycle on our Explore New Jersey Politics page: (https://explorenewjersey.org/politics/)