Tea Party a Factor in Contested Primaries

If you're a Democrat who lives in , you might not have much of a reason to go to the polls in today's primary. That's because there's no one to run against.

All the candidates on the Democratic ticket, from President Barack Obama all the way down to Middlesex County freeholders, are running unopposed.

That's not true for Republicans, though. All New Jersey's relative late June primary rarely makes the Garden State a contender in presidential races, presumptive is not unopposed on the ballot.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Senator Rick Santorum are both still on the New Jersey ballot on the Republican side of the ledger in today's primary.

Both Gingrich and Santorum have both conceded to Romney...not so Congressman Ron Paul. His name is also on the ballot, and his coterie of energetic and ever-faithful followers will definitely be pulling the lever for Paul today.

The U.S. Senate seat of Democrat Robert Menendez is up in November, too, and there are four Republican choices to pick from, although it's generally conceded that (R-13) will be the nominee. 

The big race today facing Woodbridge and 6th Congressional District Republicans is the House seat of Democrat Frank Pallone. is making a strong race for what would've been an uncontested primary; today, though, she will be facing to win the party's nod for November.

have had a big hand in making sure that no candidates were handed an easy victory crown. Many are not thrilled with the Republican choices, from Romney all the way down the ticket. "Presumptive nominee" isn't a phrase that sits well with tea party members, one adherent said.

So even though it's not a local race in Woodbridge, there are still important battles brewing. Depending upon how the primaries go today, it may well be a forecast for how the general election in November will turn out.