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Policy Analyst Jeff Bell Wins GOP Primary To Face Sen. Cory Booker

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Former Washington policy analyst Jeff Bell won a tight race Tuesday night for the GOP Senate primary nomination in New Jersey.

Bell narrowly defeated computer consultant Richard Pezzullo. Concrete company manager Brian Goldberg and Ramapo College finance professor Murray Sabrin also came in close behind.

The other two Republicans running in the low-budget primary were concrete contractor Brian Goldberg and business professor Murray Sabrin.

Bell will face U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) Neither Bell nor any of his challengers has ever held public office, though all but Goldberg have run for statewide posts.

Booker is considered a heavy favorite.

All but Goldberg had run for statewide office in the past but none has won a general election.

Booker won a special election to finish the state term of the late U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

Meanwhile, four New Jersey congressmen fended off challengers in contested primaries.

Republican U.S. Reps Frank LoBiondo in the 2nd District, Leonard Lance in the 7th and Rodney Frelinghuysen in the 11th all won their primaries Tuesday. So did Democrat Donald Payne Jr. in the 10th.

Five other incumbents had no primary opponents.

One other New Jersey congressman resigned this year and two are not seeking re-election, leaving three open seats.

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