With much of the media focus on 2009's gubernatorial contests, New Jersey Republicans are gearing up to challenge Democrats for control of the General Assembly in that state’s 2009 legislative elections -– and the battle lines are quickly taking shape:

Republicans will be attempting to unseat Democratic legislators in eight districts in Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Middlesex, Mercer, Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, Camden and Gloucester counties. Democrats want to unseat Republicans in Atlantic County but mainly intend to protect the seats they control.

Democrats start the contest with a commanding, 48-32 lead in the General Assembly, meaning Republicans must capture 8 seats to force a tie. However, because New Jersey elects two Assembly members from every district, Republicans only need to win 4 districts to accomplish that goal. If a 5th district splits its vote, they will take outright control.

That’s still a tall order, and Democrats are aggressively pushing the message that their economic policies have shielded New Jersey from some of the catastrophic economic troubles faced by other states.