ATLANTIC CITY -  Two bars a block apart, but two very different parties.

John DiMaio, the top Republican in the state Assembly, walked into one at the Irish Pub and said simply:

"We keep moving."

He was referring to the recent election in which Republicans lost five seats, not to mention Mikie Sherrill's big win.

The Wednesday afternoon party at the League of Municipalities Convention was a Cheers to South Jersey event sponsored by state Sen. Mike Testa and Vineland Mayor Anthony Fanucci.

DiMaio mentioned Sherrill's campaign statements about affordability. He said that if the new governor actually moves in that direction. Republicans will be there to help

As for Testa, he said:

"I think Republicans have to regroup. We have to come up with messaging that is actually going to connect with voters."

Continuing, Testa, whose district covers at least parts of Atlantic, Cumberland and Cape May counties, said New Jersey went "full blue" on Nov. 4. But that the pendulum may be due to swing back next year.

It's impossible to discuss politics anywhere these days without talking about Donald Trump. Was there a big Dem turnout because of animosity to Trump?

Testa did not specifically go there.

But he did suggest that the election was a "repudiation" of Washington and the government shutdown. He said many people don't get into the nuts and bolts of politics - like the 60-vote filibuster rule. They just blame the party in power if something goes wrong in DC.

In terms of going forward, there was some chatter about a new state GOP chair, a job that probably will be decided next month. A few attendees agreed that a woman chair would be good for the party.

Interestingly, at just about the same time, a press release circulated announcing Steve Lonegan's interest in running New Jersey's Republican Party. Lonegan is certainly known in conservative circles, but his track record of late is of losing statewide elections. That's a record that can't be ignored.

Just across the way from the Irish Pub was a more joyous gathering at the Cardinal Restaurant, a relatively new establishment.

Here, the state's Working Families Party was holding what amounted to a celebration of sorts. Not only was the election generally good for progressives, a number of party-endorsed candidates won.

One of them, Katie Brennan, loudly proclaimed to the crowd:

"When we fight, we win."

And win she did in LD-32, an Assembly district spanning Jersey City and Hoboken.

The general election in a very Democratic region was a foregone conclusion. The big win for Brennan and ticketmate Ravi Bhalla, as noted, was winning the primary against "two machines." That would be candidates aligned with Jersey City mayor Steve Fulop and the Hudson County Democratic Organization.

Also speaking was Dale Caldwell, the lieutenant governor to be.

He was in a festive mood, but also offered some reality.

Ciattarelli, he said, got 1.4 million votes, about 150,000 more than he did in losing in 2021.

Some folks, Caldwell said, are not yet convinced. So the fight goes on.