1913 United States Senate election in New Jersey
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The 1913 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on January 28, 1913. Republican incumbent Frank O. Briggs ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democratic judge and former U.S. representative William Hughes.
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January 28, 1913
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Resolution of the New Jersey Legislature | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Prior to passage of the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, New Jersey elected United States senators by a resolution of the New Jersey Legislature.
On September 24, 1912, direct "advisory" primaries were held. Hughes defeated former senator James Smith Jr. and John McDermitt of Newark for the Democratic nomination, while Briggs easily won the Republican nomination.[1] Thus, Hughes or Briggs stood likely to be elected Senator if their respective party won the 1910 fall legislative elections.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Frank O. Briggs, incumbent Senator since 1907
- Wescott
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Frank O. Briggs (incumbent) | 68,903 | 94.70% | |
| Republican | Wescott | 3,859 | 5.30% | |
| Total votes | 72,762 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- William Hughes, U.S. representative from Paterson
- Frank M. McDermit, Newark resident and candidate for Senate in 1911
- James Smith Jr., former U.S. senator (1893â1899) and candidate for Senate in 1911
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William Hughes | 62,532 | 61.72% | |
| Democratic | James Smith Jr. | 33,490 | 33.06% | |
| Democratic | John McDermitt | 5,291 | 5.22% | |
| Total votes | 101,313 | 100.00% | ||
Three days after winning the primary, Hughes resigned from the House and was appointed judge of Court of Common Pleas of Passaic County.
Results
Senate
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William Hughes | 12 | 57.14% | |
| Republican | Frank O. Briggs (incumbent) | 9 | 42.86% | |
| Total votes | 21 | 100.00% | ||
Assembly
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William Hughes | 51 | 86.44% | |
| Republican | Frank O. Briggs (incumbent) | 8 | 13.56% | |
| Total votes | 59 | 100.00% | ||
Briggs, died just a few months later on May 8, 1913. Hughes would not serve the complete term, dying January 30, 1918, just before the next scheduled election.