Union County, NJ

Union County has been a Democratic stronghold for decades, and the numbers back it up—a Cook PVI of D+27 makes it one of the bluest counties in New Jersey, which itself leans D+5. But if you’ve lived here as long as I have, you know the political map isn’t a single shade of blue. Towns like Elizabeth and Plainfield are deep-blue machines, where progressive policies on taxes, zoning, and public safety have been the norm for years. Meanwhile, places like Cranford, Westfield, and Summit still hold onto a more moderate, fiscally conservative streak—though even those communities have shifted leftward over the past decade. The swing precincts you’ll find in Clark and Roselle Park used to be toss-ups, but now they’re reliably Democratic, which tells you something about the direction things are heading.

How it compares

Compared to the rest of New Jersey, Union County is a political outlier. The state as a whole is D+5, meaning it’s competitive enough that Republicans can still win statewide races if they run the right candidate—think Chris Christie’s two terms. But here in Union County, the Democratic machine is so entrenched that a Republican candidate rarely cracks 40% in a countywide race. That D+27 PVI isn’t just a number; it translates into a local government that’s increasingly comfortable with progressive experiments. You see it in the push for higher property taxes to fund social programs, in the school boards adopting controversial curriculum changes, and in the county’s embrace of sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The contrast with more purple counties like Morris or Ocean is stark—those places still have a healthy two-party debate. Here, it’s mostly one-party rule, and that’s concerning for anyone who values limited government and personal freedom.

What this means for residents

For conservatives and libertarians living in Union County, the practical effect is a constant feeling of being on the defensive. Local ordinances on everything from short-term rentals to mask mandates get passed with little opposition, and the county’s Democratic leadership often uses its majority to fast-track policies that would struggle in a more balanced environment. Property taxes are already among the highest in the nation, and the county’s progressive spending priorities—like expanded public transit subsidies and affordable housing mandates—only add to the burden. If you’re a small business owner or a homeowner trying to keep your head above water, the political climate here can feel like a slow squeeze. The silver lining is that towns like Cranford and Westfield still have active Republican clubs and local candidates who fight for fiscal sanity, but they’re swimming against a strong tide.

One cultural distinction that stands out is Union County’s approach to public safety and policing. While many suburban counties have maintained a tough-on-crime stance, Union County’s leadership has pushed for criminal justice reform and alternatives to prosecution, even as property crime rates tick up in certain areas. The county prosecutor’s office has been criticized for declining to charge certain low-level offenses, which some residents see as a green light forerunner to the kind of progressive prosecution that’s plagued larger cities. For anyone who believes in personal responsibility and the rule of law, this trend is a red flag. Looking ahead, the county’s demographic shifts—more young professionals and out-of-state transplants moving into formerly red towns—suggest the political pendulum will keep swinging left. If you’re considering a move here, know that the local government’s appetite for regulation and taxation is only growing, and your voice as a conservative will be a minority one.