New Jersey 10th District

Newark was once the heart of New Jersey. All of the main transportation arteries led there, and its corporate headquarters buildings were the tallest in the state. In 1930, 442,000 people lived in Newark, 1 of every 9 in New Jersey. Newark fell on hard times in the latter half of the 20th century. The city was plagued by terrible schools and high crime. Whole sections of the city were dominated by criminals and deserted by most law-abiding residents. By the year 2000, there were just 273,000 people left in Newark, representing 1 in every 30. In recent years, Newark has been attempting a turnaround. Population was up to 280,000 in 2007; new office buildings have joined the Prudential and Public Service Electric & Gas headquarters, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center has been a big hit for city-dwellers seeking a less expensive experience than Manhattan. There are new restaurants and trendy bars, and a new downtown arena houses the hockey team the Devils. An assortment of condominium projects are on the drawing board. Crime rates have declined, the state has taken over the schools, and life is returning to deserted streets. The young and charismatic mayor, Democrat Cory Booker, brought energy to the city and has declared war on street gangs.

There has been industrial development around Newark Airport. The glass and aluminum facility has been greatly expanded for international carriers and is prospering as a hub for Continental, the most thriving of the legacy airlines. Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal is the largest container port on the East Coast and ranks nationally behind only Los Angeles and Long Beach. Old warehouses there have been cleared for more-modern facilities. The question is whether the city’s finances will stabilize and Newark can become once again the vital center of New Jersey. Mayor Booker’s friendship with President Obama certainly won’t hurt.

The 10th Congressional District of New Jersey is centered in Essex County and is made up of most of Newark—the Central, South, and West wards—plus Irvington, most of the Oranges, and part of Montclair to the west. It also takes in much of Elizabeth, Rahway, and Linden to the south. Its boundary lines wiggle around to include African-Americans in Jersey City, Montclair, and Elizabeth, while leaving Hispanics in the next-door 13th District. Overall the district is 57% black and is by far the most Democratic district in New Jersey. Obama won Essex County 76%-24%, and the district 87%-13%.