1978 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 7, 1978, to determine who would represent the people of New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives. This election coincided with national elections for U.S. House and U.S. Senate. New Jersey had fifteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1970 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms.
November 7, 1978
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All 15 New Jersey seats to the United States House of Representatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turnout | 57%[1] ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overview
| 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey[2] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | Percentage | Candidates | Seats | +/– | |
| Democratic | 1,043,747 | 53.97% | 15 | 10 | ||
| Republican | 837,783 | 43.32% | 15 | 5 | ||
| Libertarian | 5,169 | 0.27% | 5 | 0 | ||
| Socialist Labor | 1,755 | 0.09% | 3 | 0 | ||
| US Labor | 1,196 | 0.06% | 3 | 0 | ||
| Independents | 44,273 | 2.29% | 8 | 0 | ||
| Totals | 1,933,923 | 100.00% | 15 | |||
District 1
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Incumbent Democrat James Florio won. The district included Gloucester County and parts of Camden County.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James Florio (incumbent) | 30,480 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 30,480 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Robert M. Deitch, Sicklerville resident[4]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Robert M. Deitch | 9,898 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 9,898 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Robert M. Deitch, Sicklerville resident[4] (Republican)
- James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Republican)
- Julius Levin, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James Florio (incumbent) | 106,096 | 79.40% | ||
| Republican | Robert M. Deitch | 26,853 | 20.09% | ||
| Socialist Labor | Julius Levin | 671 | 0.50% | ||
| Total votes | 133,620 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 2
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Incumbent William J. Hughes won. This district, the largest in South Jersey, included all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties and parts of Burlington and Ocean counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William J. Hughes (incumbent) | 16,821 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 16,821 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- James H. Biggs, Methodist minister and former mayor of Island Heights[4]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | James H. Biggs | 25,899 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 25,899 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- James H. Biggs, Methodist minister and former mayor of Island Heights[4] (Republican)
- William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William J. Hughes (incumbent) | 112,768 | 66.43% | ||
| Republican | James H. Biggs | 56,997 | 33.57% | ||
| Total votes | 169,765 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 3
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Incumbent Democrat James J. Howard won.
This district included parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- James J. Howard, incumbent Representative since 1965
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James J. Howard (incumbent) | 19,773 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 19,773 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Bruce G. Coe, executive director of the New Jersey Commission on Capital Budgeting and Planning[6]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bruce G. Coe | 17,059 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 17,059 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- James J. Howard, incumbent Representative since 1965 (Democratic)
- Bruce G. Coe, executive director of the New Jersey Commission on Capital Budgeting and Planning[6] (Republican)
- Stevenson M. Enterline, former Republican member of the Matawan borough council[7] (Libertarian)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James J. Howard (incumbent) | 83,349 | 55.96% | ||
| Republican | Bruce G. Coe | 64,730 | 43.46% | ||
| Libertarian | Stevenson Enterline | 876 | 0.59% | ||
| Total votes | 148,955 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 4
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Incumbent Democrat Frank Thompson won. This district, in Central Jersey, consisted of parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Frank Thompson, incumbent Representative since 1955
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Frank Thompson (incumbent) | 17,278 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 17,278 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Chris Smith, chair of the New Jersey Right to Life Committee
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chris Smith | 6,549 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 6,549 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Judson Carter Sr. (Independent)
- John Val Jean Mahalchik, populist gadfly and perennial candidate[8] (Betsy Ross)
- Paul B. Rizzo (Independent)
- Chris Smith, chair of the New Jersey Right to Life Committee (Republican)
- Frank Thompson, incumbent Representative since 1955 (Democratic)
Withdrew
- Jack Moyers[7] (Libertarian) (ran for U.S. Senate)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Frank Thompson (incumbent) | 69,259 | 61.08% | ||
| Republican | Chris Smith | 41,833 | 36.90% | ||
| Independent | John V. Mahalchik | 1,145 | 1.01% | ||
| Independent | Paul B. Rizzo | 827 | 0.73% | ||
| Independent | Judson Carter Sr. | 318 | 0.28% | ||
| Total votes | 113,382 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 5
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Incumbent Millicent Fenwick won. This district included Somerset County and parts of Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, and Morris counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Millicent Fenwick, incumbent Representative since 1975
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Millicent Fenwick (incumbent) | 11,775 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 11,775 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- John T. Fahy, mayor of Parsippany[9][10]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John T. Fahy | 3,290 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 3,290 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- John T. Fahy, mayor of Parsippany[9][10] (Democratic)
- Millicent Fenwick, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Millicent Fenwick (incumbent) | 100,739 | 72.55% | ||
| Democratic | John T. Fahy | 38,108 | 27.45% | ||
| Total votes | 201,299 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 6
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Incumbent Republican Edwin B. Forsythe won.
This district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Richard D. Amber, Mount Holly resident[4]
- Edwin B. Forsythe, incumbent Representative from Moorestown since 1970
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Edwin B. Forsythe (incumbent) | 17,106 | 84.68% | |
| Republican | Richard D. Amber | 3,095 | 15.32% | |
| Total votes | 20,201 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Joseph Carroll
- W. Thomas McGann, former Superior Court judge[11][12]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | W. Thomas McGann | 9,465 | 52.15% | |
| Democratic | Joseph Carroll | 8,684 | 48.85% | |
| Total votes | 18,149 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Bernardo S. Doganiero, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
- Edwin B. Forsythe, incumbent Representative from Moorestown since 1970 (Republican)
- W. Thomas McGann, former Superior Court judge (Democratic)
- Hazel McGlory, Burlington Township widow and prisoner[13][14] (Betsy Ross)
- Charles M. Pike Jr. (Libertarian)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Edwin B. Forsythe (incumbent) | 89,446 | 60.36% | ||
| Democratic | W. Thomas McGann | 56,874 | 38.38% | ||
| Socialist Labor | Bernardo S. Doganiero | 737 | 0.50% | ||
| Libertarian | Charles M. Pike Jr. | 643 | 0.43% | ||
| Independent | Hazel McGlory | 484 | 0.33% | ||
| Total votes | 148,184 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 7
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Incumbent Andrew Maguire was re-elected to a third term in office. This district included western parts of Bergen County.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Andrew Maguire, incumbent Representative since 1975
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Andrew Maguire (incumbent) | 16,321 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 16,321 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Marge Roukema, former member of the Ridgewood board of education[15]
- Gerald L. Williams, Mahwah businessman and member of the John Birch Society[15]
- Joseph C. Woodcock, former state senator and candidate for governor in 1977[15]
Declined
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Marge Roukema | 8,346 | 39.30% | |
| Republican | Joseph C. Woodcock | 6,712 | 31.61% | |
| Republican | Gerald Williams | 6,176 | 29.09% | |
| Total votes | 21,234 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Elliot Greenspan (Labor)
- Andrew Maguire, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
- Marge Roukema, former member of the Ridgewood Board of Education (Republican)
- Robert Shapiro, chair of the Bergen County Libertarian Party[7] (Libertarian)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Andrew Maguire (incumbent) | 78,358 | 52.55% | ||
| Republican | Marge Roukema | 69,543 | 46.64% | ||
| Libertarian | Robert Shapiro | 974 | 0.65% | ||
| U.S. Labor | Elliot Greenspan | 243 | 0.16% | ||
| Total votes | 149,118 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 8
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Incumbent Robert Roe won. This district included parts of Bergen and Passaic counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert A. Roe (incumbent) | 10,688 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 10,688 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Thomas Melani, Wayne attorney[17]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Thomas Melani | 6,465 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 6,465 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Thomas Melani, Wayne attorney[17] (Republican)
- Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert A. Roe (incumbent) | 69,496 | 74.46% | ||
| Republican | Thomas Melani | 23,842 | 25.54% | ||
| Total votes | 93,338 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 9
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
This district consisted of parts of Bergen and Hudson counties.
Incumbent Republican Harold C. Hollenbeck won.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Harold Hollenbeck, incumbent Representative from East Rutherford since 1977
- Hugh A. Wagner, Alpine resident[4]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Harold C. Hollenbeck (incumbent) | 10,083 | 81.79% | |
| Republican | Hugh A. Wagner | 2,245 | 18.21% | |
| Total votes | 12,328 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Albert Burstein, assemblyman from Teaneck[4] [15]
- Mike Jousan Jr., Leonia reverend[4]
- Nicholas Mastorelli, executive director of the North Hudson Council of Mayors[15]
Declined
- Byron Baer, assemblyman from Englewood and candidate for this district in 1976[18]
- Anthony Scardino, state senator from Lyndhurst[18]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Nicholas Mastorelli | 16,448 | 51.24% | |
| Democratic | Albert Burstein | 13,694 | 42.66% | |
| Democratic | Mike Jousan | 1,958 | 6.10% | |
| Total votes | 32,100 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Henry Helstoski, former Representative for this district (Independent)
- Harold Hollenbeck, incumbent Representative from East Rutherford since 1977 (Republican)
- Nicholas S. Mastorelli, executive director of the North Hudson Council of Mayors[15] (Democratic)
- Bruce Todd (Labor)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Harold C. Hollenbeck (inc.) | 73,478 | 48.93% | ||
| Democratic | Nicholas Mastorelli | 56,888 | 37.89% | ||
| Independent | Henry Helstoski | 19,126 | 12.74% | ||
| U.S. Labor | Bruce Todd | 663 | 0.44% | ||
| Total votes | 150,155 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 10
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
The district included parts of Essex and Hudson counties. Incumbent Democrat Peter W. Rodino won.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Peter W. Rodino, incumbent Representative since 1949
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Peter W. Rodino (incumbent) | 15,074 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 15,074 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- John L. Pelt, Newark car salesman[19]
Declined
- Tony Grandison, former Newark Housing Authority supervisor and nominee for this district in 1976
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John L. Pelt | 2,699 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 2,699 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Tony Austin (Socialist Workers)
- Gordon A. Douglas (Labor)
- John L. Pelt, Newark car salesman[19] (Republican)
- Peter W. Rodino, incumbent Representative since 1949 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Peter W. Rodino (inc.) | 55,074 | 86.35% | ||
| Republican | John L. Pelt | 8,066 | 12.65% | ||
| Socialist Workers | Tony Austin | 219 | 0.54% | ||
| U.S. Labor | Gordon A. Douglas | 290 | 0.45% | ||
| Total votes | 63,777 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 11
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Incumbent Democrat Joseph Minish won. This district consisted of parts of Bergen, Essex, Passaic, and Union counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Jack Horn, Nutley accountant[4]
- Joseph Minish, incumbent Representative from West Orange since 1963
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Minish (incumbent) | 19,281 | 91.85% | |
| Democratic | Jack Horn | 1,710 | 8.15% | |
| Total votes | 20,991 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Julius George Feld, South Orange resident[4]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Julius George Feld | 12,163 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 12,163 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Julius George Feld, South Orange resident[4] (Republican)
- Joseph Minish, incumbent Representative from West Orange since 1963 (Democratic)
- Richard S. Roth (Libertarian)
Resultsd
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Minish (incumbent) | 88,294 | 70.54% | ||
| Republican | Julius George Feld | 35,642 | 28.47% | ||
| Libertarian | Richard S. Roth | 1,238 | 0.99% | ||
| Total votes | 125,174 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 12
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Incumbent Matt Rinaldo won. This district included parts of Union County.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Matt Rinaldo (incumbent) | 14,893 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 14,893 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Richard McCormack, member of the Kenilworth borough council[20]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Richard McCormack | 10,033 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 10,033 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Richard McCormack, member of the Kenilworth borough council[20] (Democratic)
- Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973 (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Matt Rinaldo (incumbent) | 94,850 | 73.37% | ||
| Democratic | Richard McCormack | 34,423 | 26.63% | ||
| Total votes | 129,273 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 13
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
This sprawling district included Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren counties and parts of Mercer and Morris counties.
Incumbent Representative Helen Stevenson Meyner ran for re-election to a third term in office but was defeated by Jim Courter.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Helen Stevenson Meyner, incumbent Representative since 1975 and former First Lady of New Jersey
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Helen S. Meyner (incumbent) | 16,066 | 40.03% | |
| Total votes | 16,066 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Frank Bell, East Hanover engineer[21]
- Jim Courter, Warren County assistant prosecutor
- William E. Schluter, former state senator from Pennington and nominee for this district in 1976
- Joseph F. Warganz, former chair of the New Jersey Right to Life Committee[22]
- Ronald Williams
Withdrew
- Dick Zimmer, attorney, adviser to assemblyman Thomas Kean, and former chair of New Jersey common cause[23][24]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Courter | 10,541 | 38.31% | |
| Republican | William E. Schluter | 10,407 | 37.82% | |
| Republican | Frank Bell | 3,190 | 11.59% | |
| Republican | Joseph F. Warganz | 1,982 | 7.20% | |
| Republican | Ronald Williams | 1,397 | 5.08% | |
| Total votes | 27,517 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Jim Courter, Warren County assistant prosecutor (Republican)
- Helen Stevenson Meyner, incumbent Representative since 1975 and former First Lady of New Jersey (Democratic)
Withdrew
- Dale Sutthoff, vice-chair of the New Jersey Libertarian Party[7] (Libertarian)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Courter | 77,301 | 51.84% | ||
| Democratic | Helen Stevenson Meyner (inc.) | 71,808 | 48.16% | ||
| Total votes | 149,109 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican gain from Democratic | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 14
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
This district included parts of Hudson County.
Incumbent representative Joseph A. LeFante did not run for re-election to a second term. Frank J. Guarini was elected to the open seat.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Raymond J. Connelly
- Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979
- Anthony P. Scalcione
Declined
- Joseph A. LeFante, incumbent Representative since 1977
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Frank J. Guarini | 34,127 | 82.32% | |
| Democratic | Anthony P. Scalcione | 4,163 | 10.04% | |
| Democratic | Raymond J. Connelly | 3,165 | 7.63% | |
| Total votes | 41,455 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Henry J. Hill | 2,945 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 2,945 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Democratic)
- Henry J. Hill, member of the Kearny city council[17] (Republican)
- Thomas E. McDonough (Independent)
- John E. Walton (Independent)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Frank J. Guarini | 67,008 | 63.61% | ||
| Republican | Henry J. Hill | 21,355 | 20.27% | ||
| Independent | Thomas E. McDonough | 15,015 | 14.25% | ||
| Independent | John E. Walton | 1,962 | 1.86% | ||
| Total votes | 105,340 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 15
November 7, 1978
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
This district included parts of Middlesex and Union counties. Incumbent Democrat Edward J. Patten was re-elected to a ninth term in office, though he faced strong challenges in both the Democratic primary and general election over his ties to the Koreagate scandal.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Edward J. Patten, incumbent Representative since 1963
- George A. Spadoro, Edison attorney[4][25]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Edward J. Patten (inc.) | 20,738 | 58.84% | |
| Democratic | George A. Spadoro | 14,506 | 41.16% | |
| Total votes | 35,244 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Charles W. Wiley, freelance journalist[25]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Charles W. Wiley | 4,720 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 4,720 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Ann V. Bastian (Peoples Independent Coalition)
- Michael Fieschko, member of the Libertarian National Committee and candidate for General Assembly in 1977[7][26] (Libertarian)
- Edward J. Patten, incumbent Representative since 1963 (Democratic)
- Charles W. Wiley, freelance journalist[25] (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Edward J. Patten | 55,944 | 48.28% | ||
| Republican | Charles W. Wiley | 53,108 | 45.83% | ||
| Independent | Ann V. Bastian | 5,396 | 4.66% | ||
| Libertarian | Michael Fieschko | 1,438 | 1.24% | ||
| Total votes | 115,886 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||