1977 New Jersey State Senate election
{'<entity_0>': '1977 New Jersey State Senate election', '<entity_1>': 'Joseph P. Merlino', '<entity_2>': 'New Jersey', '<entity_3>': 'election'}
[['1977 New Jersey State Senate election', 'instance of', 'election'], ['1977 New Jersey State Senate election', 'successful candidate', 'Joseph P. Merlino'], ['1977 New Jersey State Senate election', 'location', 'New Jersey']]
The <entity_0> coincided with Brendan Byrne's re-<entity_3> to a second term as Governor of <entity_2>. Five incumbent Democratic Senators were defeated in the June primary; Democrats held four of the seats, and Republicans picked up one seat: Two incumbent Democratic Senators who were denied party support for another term ran in the General Election as Independent candidates and were defeated; Democrats held both of these seats: Two incumbent Democratic Senators were defeated for re-<entity_3>: One incumbent Independent Senator was defeated for re-<entity_3>, a Democratic pickup: Three incumbent Republican Senators did not seek re-<entity_3> in 1977; Republicans held two seats and Democrats picked up one seat: Three incumbent Democratic Senators did not seek re-<entity_3> in 1977; Democrats held both seats: One Democratic Senator resigned from the Senate in 1977 after receiving a federal appointment; that seat was picked up by the Republicans: Sixteen incumbent Democratic Senators were re-elected in 1977: Seven incumbent Republican Senators were re-elected in 1977: Democrats chose <entity_1> as the Senate President and Carmen Orechio as Majority Leader; Republicans named Garrett Hagedorn as Minority Leader.
['election']