Speaking of Giuliani and his help to candidates in the Garden State, maybe it’s time to stop writing off New Jersey Republicans. As the day progresses, the picture looks better and better: “2007 was a Republican year in New Jersey, thanks to some significant local gains, a well played game of defense, the defeat of two ballot referendums, and the growing insignificance of Governor Jon “Hold Me Accountable” Corzine. It is arguably the first Republican year in New Jersey, albeit marginally, since 1997.”

Besides knocking off the first incumbent Democratic state senator in ten years, the Republicans gained two Assembly seats. Republican Mayors will replace Democratic Mayors in Toms River, Hamilton Township, and Brick, the seventh, eighth, and twelfth largest towns in the state.

More: “Places where Democrats heavily outspent Republicans in traditionally GOP districts – the three open seats in the eighth, and three GOP veterans in the 39th – the Republicans held on by a comfortable margin. Republicans held potentially competitive Senate seats in Districts 11 and 14, with Sean Kean and Bill Baroni – both helped by endorsements from labor and environmental groups – winning with more than 60%. And perhaps most significantly, New Jersey voters voted down two ballot initiatives where Democratic leaders where heavily invested.”

It’s been a while since there have been any signs that New Jersey was anything but deep blue. Could it be purple in 2008?