It's only been two days, so the horror (for Republicans) of Tuesday's election is still reverberating.

A small consolation for the state GOP is that the Legislature was not on the ballot.

Where to go from here? That's a question that so far really has no answer.

One Republican bravely stepping into the debate is state Sen. Holly Schepisi from Bergen County

"Tonight was a referendum on President Trump. Anyone who tries to argue otherwise is simply refusing to acknowledge what voters are telling us."

She wrote that Tuesday night before the full magnitude of the "blue tsunami" was even known.

Problem is there are those in the party who are not sure Trump was the culprit. Or at least they are not acknowledging it.

Here is a statement from Christine Hanlon, the state party chair.

"Though the outcome of this year’s General Election was not the result New Jersey Republicans worked toward, we will not be deterred in our mission to tackle the serious issues impacting all New Jerseyans as a result of decades of failed Democrat policies in Trenton.

We faced strong national headwinds like the rest of the country and unfortunately our great candidates were victims of the national impact.

I thank Congressmen Kean and Van Drew for their dedicated service to our country, and I congratulate Congressman Smith on his victory. I also want to thank all of our candidates who ran this year and the volunteers who worked countless hours on all of our campaigns."

Talking about "strong ... headwinds" is not the same as saying voters were upset with the war in Iran, high gas prices and a president seemingly undetached from the concerns of everyday life.

The "reddest" part of New Jersey is probably Sussex County.

Sussex is remote - by New Jersey standards - so it may seem logical to think provincially.

Whatever the reason, Sussex Republicans congratulated their local candidates for winning - a county clerk and a commissioner - but ignored everything else that happened.

That's one approach.

The state League of Municipalities Convention is on tap in two weeks.

That offers politicians of both parties a chance to discuss common interests with their peers at any number of parties and receptions.

Then, there's a lull over the holidays. Things pick up again in January.

The upcoming year, 2027, brings us legislative elections. That does not usually excite average voters, but it's a big deal for insiders.

Exuberant with Tuesday's success, Democrats are likely thinking about making even greater gains in the Legislature next year.

Next year also offers Republicans a chance to regroup.

Here's more of what Schepisi had to say:

"The Republican Party needs to take a hard, honest look at where we are and, more importantly, where we go from here.

We need to rebuild. We need to once again become the party of opportunity, common sense, and solutions. A party that focuses on the very real challenges facing American families, puts people before politics, and works to bring our country back toward the center  rather than further dividing it.
We cannot keep dismissing the concerns of voters or assume their support is something we are entitled to. Their voices matter. Their frustrations matter. And their trust has to be earned.
I believe in what our party can stand for, but believing in something also means having the courage to recognize when change is necessary.
We all deserve better. And our country needs better from all of us."

It is debatable how many Republicans truly want to distance themselves from Trump.

But there is some brightness for the GOP looming down the road.

Trump's time in the White House is dwindling down day by day.

Without Trump as a campaign target, the Dems will need a new strategy.