NJ Democrats Increase Majority In State Assembly

By David Madden

TRENTON, N.J., (CBS) -- Democrats in New Jersey are celebrating their victory in retaining control of the state assembly after Tuesday's election. While control was never in doubt, there is some surprise at the gains made by Democrats.

They won three, perhaps four additional seats from the GOP in the only election of statewide importance. That would still put Democrats just shy of a veto proof majority in the Assembly.

So Majority Leader Lou Greenwald of Camden County, while happy with the result, knows it'll still take reaching across the aisle to get things done.

"Everybody can tell you what's broken," Greenwald told KYW Newsradio. "People want elected officials that are not afraid to work in a bipartisan effort, roll up their sleeves and solve problems."

Democrats will try again to push for replenishing the state's transportation trust fund and reforming taxes, pensions and health care. How far they'll get remains to be seen.

Next year, there's a Presidential race. And in 2017, everyone in the legislature will be up for re-election. Some will even be running for Governor.

But there are challenges remaining before the new legislature is seated in January.

Leaders have scheduled a veto override vote early next month on a bill requiring police be informed when a mentally ill person wants their medical record cleared so they can buy a gun. Democrats in the Senate overrode Governor Chris Christie's veto with the help of three Republicans. They'll need six in the Assembly.