Here are the 3 US House races Hudson voters will have a say in

When Hudson County voters go to the polls Tuesday they will have a say in more than just New Jersey’s hotly contested Senate race.

Local voters will be asked to cast their ballots in one of three Congressional races and answer a state-wide question of whether New Jersey should borrow $500 million for additional school funding, primarily for county vocational schools and county colleges.

While U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez is challenged by Republican Bob Hugin, the three members of the U.S. House of Representatives who represent Hudson County are also seeking reelection Tuesday. Congressional terms run for two years. 

U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8th) faces Republican John R. Muniz of Jersey City, Libertarian Dan Delaney of Jersey City, and “New Way Forward” candidate Mahmoud Mahmoud of Guttenberg. The state’s Eighth Congressional District comprises parts of Hudson, Bergen, Essex, and Union counties.

In New Jersey’s Ninth Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat, faces Republican Eric P. Fisher of Fort Lee and Libertarian Claudio Belusic of Palisades Park. The Ninth Congressional District is made up of portions of Bergen and Passaic counties, as well as Secaucus and part of Kearny.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-10th) seeks reelection against Republican challenger Agha Khan of Jersey City and Libertarian Scott Diroma of East Orange. Cynthia Johnson of Glen Ridge and Joanne Miller of Newark are also on the ballot. The 10th Congressional District comprises parts of Bayonne and Jersey City, as well as portions of Essex and Union counties.

As for the statewide question, voters will decide whether to approve the “Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act,” which calls for $500 million in bonds to be issued. If approved, county vocational school districts and county colleges would receive grant money to construct and equip buildings for increased capacity of career and technical education programs. The money would also be used to provide grants for school security projects and water infrastructure improvements at kindergarten through grade 12 schools.

As for Hudson County’s representation in Trenton, Assemblyman Pedro Mejia (D-32nd District) is the lone state legislator on Tuesday’s ballot. Mejia, who in April was appointed to the seat left vacant when former Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto resigned to head the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, is running unopposed for the remainder of Prieto’s term.