Lance Beats Potosnak to Win Second Term in 7th District

With all but one precinct reporting, Republican Leonard Lance unofficially claimed 59 percent of votes Tuesday to defeat Democrat challenger Ed Potosnak in the race for a U.S. Congress 7th District seat.

Lance garnered 102,752 votes, to Potosnak's 69,964, with 573 of 574 precincts reporting as of early Wednesday morning.

"I am very grateful for the support across the district," Lance said Tuesday.

As he prepares for his second term in office, Lance said his major focus for the coming years will be on fiscal responsibility in the state and country, as well as handling the debt and lessening the annual deficits.

"I believe we have to return to fiscal responsibility," he said. "And the Republican victories across the county are based on that belief."

In his concession speech, Potosnak thanked those who helped him run "my very grassroots campaign," which was largely supported by donations from residents, and by volunteers knocking on thousands of doors.

In his concession speech, Potosnak said that he didn't come from a "normal background" for politicians. "Well, what's normal?" he asked, with a chuckle, adding that he had never been bred for politics.

The 7th Congressional District includes parts of Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties. 

7th Congressional District race (573 of 574 precincts reporting)