NJ Spotlight is sharing election coverage with NJTV News, our sister organization, which invited all candidates to complete a brief survey and record a video message; we have included those for all the candidates who responded.

The 18th District includes seven communities in Middlesex County: East Brunswick, Edison, Helmetta, Highland Park, Metuchen, South Plainfield, and South River.

This has been considered a safe Democratic district, with 43% of voters registered as Democrats and only 16% as Republicans. Virtually all other voters in the district are unaffiliated.

Democrats represent the district. Both Assembly members are seeking re-election: Nancy Pinkin, a former East Brunswick councilwoman, and Robert Karabinchak of Edison.

The Republican slate consists of Robert A. Bengivenga Jr. of South Plainfield and Jeffrey R. Brown of East Brunswick.

ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES

NANCY PINKIN: DEMOCRAT (incumbent)

Hometown: East Brunswick

Occupation: Health consultant and association management, Pinkin Associates Inc.

Top three issues: Property taxes, college affordability and education funding, addressing environmental concerns.

 Follow this link for more information.

 

ROBERT KARABINCHAK: DEMOCRAT (incumbent)

Hometown: Edison

Occupation: President, Tri-Form Construction Inc.

Top three issues: Investing in district’s schools; improving mass transit infrastructure; expanding access to health care and charity care

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ROBERT A. BENGIVENGA JR: REPUBLICAN

Hometown: South Plainfield

Occupation/Service: Sales manager and South Plainfield councilman

For more information: robert.bengivenga@gmail.com

 

JEFFREY R. BROWN: REPUBLICAN

Hometown: East Brunswick

Occupation: Attorney and small business owner

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