1983 New Jersey Senate election
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The 1983 New Jersey Senate election was held on November 8. The election took place mid-way through the first term of Governor Thomas Kean. Democrats gained a net of two seats after flipping the 11th, 13th, and 38th districts. Meanwhile, Republicans flipped the 18th.
| Contents Incumbents not running • Summary of results By District: 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 • 39 • 40 |
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November 8, 1983
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All 40 seats in the New Jersey State Senate 21 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Turnout | 48%[1] ( 16pp) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results by district Democratic hold Democratic gain Republican hold Republican gain | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Incumbents not running for re-election
Democratic
- Herman T. Costello (District 7)
- Frank E. Rodgers (District 32)
- Nicholas LaRocca (District 33) (ran for Assembly)
Summary of results by State Senate district
- Gormley won a September 1982 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Steven P. Perskie, who resigned to become a judge of the New Jersey Superior Court.
Close races
Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
- District 21, 1.0%
- District 18, 1.2% gain
- District 38, 1.4% gain
- District 12, 1.8%
- District 11, 1.9% gain
- District 34, 2.0%
- District 39, 2.4%
- District 13, 8.2% gain
- District 30, 9.6%
District 1
General election
Candidates
- James R. Hurley, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
- Christopher H. Riley (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | James R. Hurley (incumbent) | 30,141 | 59.8% |  6.0 | |
| Democratic | Christopher H. Riley | 20,232 | 40.2% | 6.0 | |
| Total votes | 50,373 | 100.00% | |||
District 2
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Arlene Groch, lawyer[3]
Declined
- Steven P. Perskie, former Senator (accepted Superior Court judgeship)[3]
General election
Candidates
- William Gormley, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
- Arlene Groch, lawyer[3] (Democratic)
- James T. Hagen (Senate Independent)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William Gormley (incumbent) | 27,616 | 56.8% | 15.5 | |
| Democratic | Arlene Groch | 19,937 | 41.0% | 16.0 | |
| Independent politician | James T. Hagen | 1,062 | 2.2% | 1.3 | |
| Total votes | 48,615 | 100.00% | |||
District 3
General election
Candidates
- Mary Ruth Talley (Republican)
- Raymond Zane, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Raymond Zane (incumbent) | 30,179 | 63.0% | 0.2 | |
| Republican | Mary Ruth Talley | 17,743 | 37.0% | 0.2 | |
| Total votes | 47,922 | 100.00% | |||
District 4
General election
Candidates
- Daniel Dalton, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)
- Christopher Michaele (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Daniel Dalton (incumbent) | 21,891 | 63.9% | 0.6 | |
| Republican | Christopher Michaele | 12,379 | 36.1% | 0.6 | |
| Total votes | 34,270 | 100.00% | |||
District 5
General election
Candidates
- Gregory B. Montgomery (Democratic)
- Walter Rand, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Walter Rand (incumbent) | 23,446 | 66.0% | 6.0 | |
| Republican | Gregory B. Montgomery | 12,090 | 34.0% | 6.0 | |
| Total votes | 35,536 | 100.00% | |||
District 6
General election
Candidates
- Lee B. Laskin, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
- Francis J. Ward (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lee B. Laskin (incumbent) | 29,783 | 63.3% | 6.6 | |
| Democratic | Francis J. Ward | 17,235 | 36.7% | 6.6 | |
| Total votes | 47,018 | 100.00% | |||
District 7
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Catherine A. Costa, Assemblywoman from Willingboro and Burlington County Freeholder
- Barbara Kalik, Assemblywoman from Willingboro
Campaign
The race between Costa and Kalik, both Assemblywomen from Willingboro, was expected to be among the most competitive in the state. Though Kalik, who had served since 1977, was better known in Trenton, Costa also served as a Freeholder and was the top vote-getter on the 1981 ticket.[4]
General election
Candidates
- Catherine A. Costa, Assemblywoman from Willingboro and Burlington County Freeholder (Democratic)
- Henry W. Metzger (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Catherine A. Costa | 26,697 | 63.1% | 6.0 | |
| Republican | Henry W. Metzger | 15,616 | 36.9% | 6.0 | |
| Total votes | 42,313 | 100.00% | |||
District 8
General election
Candidates
- Charles H. Ryan (Democratic)
- Jim Saxton, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Saxton (incumbent) | 22,714 | 63.1% | 2.6 | |
| Democratic | Charles H. Ryan | 13,303 | 36.9% | 2.6 | |
| Total votes | 36,017 | 100.00% | |||
District 9
General election
Candidates
- Leonard T. Connors, incumbent Senator since 1982 and mayor of Surf City (Republican)
- Anthony M. Sellitto Jr. (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Leonard T. Connors (incumbent) | 31,028 | 63.3 | 1.1 | |
| Democratic | Anthony M. Sellitto, Jr. | 17,989 | 36.7 | 1.1 | |
| Total votes | 49,017 | 100.00% | |||
District 10
General election
Candidates
- Bob Fall (Republican)
- John F. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John F. Russo (incumbent) | 31,807 | 63.3 | 4.7 | |
| Republican | Bob Fall | 18,413 | 36.7 | 4.7 | |
| Total votes | 50,220 | 100.00% | |||
District 11
General election
Candidates
- Brian T. Kennedy, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
- Frank Pallone, member of the Long Branch City Council (Democratic)
- Edgar Van Houten (Bull Moose)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Frank Pallone | 24,339 | 50.4% | 9.3 | |
| Republican | Brian T. Kennedy (incumbent) | 23,412 | 48.5% | 9.3 | |
| Bull Moose | Edgar Van Houten | 508 | 1.1% | N/A | |
| Total votes | 48,259 | 100.00% | |||
District 12
General election
Candidates
- S. Thomas Gagliano, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
- Alexander D. Lehrer, Monmouth County Prosecutor[5] (Democratic)
Withdrew
- Robert Morgan, doctor[5] (Democratic)
Campaign
Robert Morgan, the original Democratic nominee, withdrew from the race, citing the pressure of his medical practice.[5]
County Prosecutor Alexander Lehrer, the most prominent public official in the county, was initially reluctant to run, worrying that a political campaign had little chance of success and could imperil his ambitions for the state judiciary.[5] Party chair John Fiorino and U.S. Representative James J. Howard recruited him into the race through a draft movement; their support would also be critical to any judicial appointment.[5]
Gagliano denied reports that he had implied Lehrer's campaign would threaten his confirmation to the judiciary in the Senate.[5]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | S. Thomas Gagliano (incumbent) | 24,294 | 50.9% | 8.2 | |
| Democratic | Alexander D. Lehrer | 23,414 | 49.1% | 8.2 | |
| Total votes | 47,708 | 100.00% | |||
District 13
General election
Candidates
- John P. Gallagher, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
- Richard Van Wagner, Assemblyman from Middletown Township[6] (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Richard Van Wagner | 26,522 | 54.1% | 5.7 | |
| Republican | John P. Gallagher (incumbent) | 22,508 | 45.9% | 5.7 | |
| Total votes | 49,030 | 100.00% | |||
District 14
General election
Candidates
- Charles B. W. Durand, former mayor of Franklin Township[7] (Republican)
- Francis J. McManimon, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Francis J. McManimon (incumbent) | 30,376 | 63.5% | 5.8 | |
| Republican | Charles B. W. Durand | 17,448 | 36.5% | 5.8 | |
| Total votes | 47,824 | 100.00% | |||
District 15
General election
Candidates
- Robert A. Gladstone (Republican)
- Gerald R. Stockman, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gerald R. Stockman (incumbent) | 29,967 | 67.3% | 10.9 | |
| Republican | Robert A. Gladstone | 14,543 | 32.7% | 10.9 | |
| Total votes | 44,510 | 100.00% | |||
District 16
General election
Candidates
- John H. Ewing, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
- Alfred A. Wicklund (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John H. Ewing (incumbent) | 27,383 | 67.4% | 1.9 | |
| Democratic | Alfred A. Wicklund | 13,242 | 32.6% | 1.9 | |
| Total votes | 40,625 | 100.00% | |||
District 17
General election
Candidates
- John A. Lynch Jr., incumbent Senator since 1982 and mayor of New Brunswick (Democratic)
- Frank A. Santoro (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John A. Lynch Jr. (incumbent) | 19,703 | 65.3% | 4.7 | |
| Republican | Frank A. Santoro | 10,449 | 34.7% | 1.2 | |
| Total votes | 30,152 | 100.00% | |||
District 18
General election
Candidates
- James Bornheimer, incumbent Senator since 1982
- Peter P. Garibaldi, former Assemblyman and mayor of Monroe Township (Republican)
- Robert S. Maurer, Edison resident[8][9] (Independent)
Campaign
Garibaldi stressed the issue of auto insurance premiums, which he said remained unsatisfactorily high despite recent legislation to slow rate increases.[9] He also cited his opposition to property revaluation programs in several towns, including Monroe and East Brunswick, which shifted local property tax burdens from commercial to residential property owners. Garibaldi said he had gone to court to stop the Monroe revaluation over disagreements with the group hired to conduct the survey.[9]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Peter P. Garibaldi | 24,397 | 47.9% |  0.0 | |
| Democratic | James W. Bornheimer (incumbent) | 23,814 | 46.7% | 5.4 | |
| Independent | Robert S. Maurer | 2,769 | 5.4% | N/A | |
| Total votes | 50,980 | 100.00% | |||
District 19
General election
Candidates
- James W. Inman (Republican)
- Laurence S. Weiss, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Laurence S. Weiss (incumbent) | 28,251 | 59.0 | 1.4 | |
| Republican | James W. Inman | 19,603 | 41.0 | 1.4 | |
| Total votes | 47,854 | 100.00% | |||
District 20
Democratic primary
Candidates
- John Brady, Elizabeth resident[10]
- Rocco Gallo, Elizabeth resident[10]
- Joseph M. Hartnett, Rahway resident[10]
- Raymond Lesniak, Assemblyman from Elizabeth
Results
Alongside the primary election, Lesniak won a special election to complete the unexpired term of John T. Gregorio, who had been convicted of conspiring to conceal his ownership of two Linden taverns.[10]
General election
Candidates
- Raymond Lesniak, incumbent Senator since June 1983 (Democratic)
- Rose Zeidwerg Monyek, Rahway resident (Inflation Fighting Housewife)
- Alfred D. Palermo, Linden Republican chairman and real estate businessman[10] (Republican)
- Joseph P. Scanlon (Beam the Bomb)
- Harold J. Young, Rahway resident[10] (Independent)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Raymond Lesniak (incumbent) | 23,246 | 64.5% | 0.6 | |
| Republican | Alfred D. Palermo | 11,868 | 32.9% | 5.4 | |
| Inflation Fighting Housewife | Rose Zeidwerg Monyek | 389 | 1.1% | 2.4 | |
| Beam the Bomb | Joseph P. Scanlon | 305 | 0.8% | N/A | |
| Independent | Harold J. Young | 217 | 0.6% | 3.3 | |
| Total votes | 36,025 | 100.00% | |||
District 21
General election
Candidates
- C. Louis Bassano, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
- Anthony E. Russo, former Senator (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | C. Louis Bassano (incumbent) | 29,300 | 50.5% | 1.4 | |
| Democratic | Anthony E. Russo | 28,734 | 49.5% | 1.4 | |
| Total votes | 58,034 | 100.00% | |||
District 22
General election
Candidates
- Donald DiFrancesco, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Republican)
- Thomas M. McCormack (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Donald DiFrancesco (incumbent) | 29,005 | 66.6% | 1.3 | |
| Democratic | Thomas M. McCormack | 14,576 | 33.4% | 1.3 | |
| Total votes | 43,581 | 100.00% | |||
District 23
General election
Candidates
- Walter E. Foran, incumbent Senator since 1977 (Republican)
- William Martin Jr. (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Walter E. Foran (incumbent) | 27,224 | 69.2% | 5.9 | |
| Democratic | William Martin, Jr. | 12,101 | 30.8% | 5.9 | |
| Total votes | 39,325 | 100.00% | |||
District 24
General election
Candidates
- Wayne Dumont, incumbent Senator since 1968[a] (Republican)
- Clarence W. Sickles (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Wayne Dumont (incumbent) | 29,279 | 75.6% | 1.8 | |
| Democratic | Clarence W. Sickles | 9,431 | 24.4% | 1.8 | |
| Total votes | 38,710 | 100.00% | |||
District 25
General election
Candidates
- John H. Dorsey, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
- Allen Hantman (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John H. Dorsey (incumbent) | 25,529 | 65.4% | 2.6 | |
| Democratic | Allen Hantman | 13,524 | 34.6% | 2.6 | |
| Total votes | 39,053 | 100.0 | |||
District 26
Republican primary
Campaign
- Leanna Brown, Assemblywoman from Chatham Township
- James P. Vreeland, incumbent Senator since 1974
Campaign
Brown announced her campaign in March, claiming that she was running on economic issues rather than in opposition to Vreeland, who had been her running mate since 1980.[4] The seat had been expected to go to Assemblyman Dean Gallo of Parsippany on Vreeland's retirement. Brown called for "new ideas", a veiled jab at the 73-year old Vreeland.[10] Her campaign out-raised and out-advertised Vreeland.[10]
General election
Candidates
- Leanna Brown, Assemblywoman from Chatham Township (Republican)
- Anthony Calvino (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Leanna Brown | 24,348 | 68.2% | 1.7 | |
| Democratic | Anthony Calvino | 11,342 | 31.8% | 1.7 | |
| Total votes | 35,690 | 100.00% | |||
District 27
Democratic primary
Candidates
Campaign
In the primary, each candidate accused the other of conflicts of interest. Shain charged that Codey sponsored multiple bills relating to the insurance industry while earning money as a consultant from insurance companies. Codey charged that Shain earned large dividends from stock in a cable television company which was awarded a franchise to operate in Orange. Shain had abstained from voting on the contract and sold his shares before the primary election.[10]
Shain spent close to $250,000 on radio commercials and telephone banking, while Codey spent over $115,000, setting a record for campaign spending.[10]
General election
Candidates
- James J. Brown (Democratic)
- Richard Codey, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Richard Codey (incumbent) | 18,943 | 75.2% | 1.3 | |
| Republican | James J. Brown | 6,255 | 24.8% | 1.3 | |
| Total votes | 25,198 | 100.00% | |||
District 28
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Anthony Carrino, Newark City Councilman[10]
- John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 and Newark Fire Director
Campaign
Carrino challenged Caufield, who had served two terms and was a close ally of Newark mayor Kenneth A. Gibson. During the prior legislative session, Caufield had blocked a bill supported by the city council that would have reformed school board elections in Newark. The contest was framed as a struggle between the mayor and the city council for power.[10]
General election
Candidates
- John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 and Newark Fire Director (Democratic)
- Joseph N. Mastrangelo (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John P. Caufield (incumbent) | 11,829 | 72.9% | 2.1 | |
| Republican | Joseph N. Mastrangelo | 4,392 | 27.1% | 2.1 | |
| Total votes | 16,221 | 100.00% | |||
District 29
General election
Candidates
- Willie M. Brascher (Republican)
- Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator since 1972 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Wynona Lipman (incumbent) | 12,906 | 85.5 | 2.8 | |
| Republican | Willie M. Brascher | 2,182 | 14.5 | 2.8 | |
| Total votes | 15,088 | 100.00% | |||
District 30
General election
Candidates
- Carmen A. Orechio, incumbent Senator since 1974, President of the New Jersey Senate, and mayor of Nutley (Democratic)
- Ralph J. Salerno, Bloomfield lawyer[11] (Republican)
- Martin G. Scaturo, former Essex County Freeholder[12] (Regular Organization)
Campaign
The 30th district in suburban Essex County was among the most highly contested in the state, due to Orechio's position as President of the New Jersey Senate and the most powerful Democrat in Trenton.[9] Governor Thomas Kean, a native of Essex, had carried the district by more than 3,000 votes in 1981, while Orechio was re-elected by slightly more than 1,000.[9] Orechio, who was also the mayor of Nutley, hoped that the increased attention on the Senate race in an off-year and a special election for Nutley council would boost his vote.[9]
Salerno, a first-time candidate for office, campaigned on a strong anti-crime position including tougher prison sentences, support of the Governor's proposed infrastructure bank, and opposition to the Mount Laurel doctrine of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Though he now lived in Bloomfield, he stressed his working class roots in Belleville.[9] Down the stretch, the Republican campaign turned negative, attacking Orechio in personal terms while trying to establish Salerno's credentials for office. Among the issues cited was Orechio's control of the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission, which his brother Carl, a former Republican Assemblyman, chaired at a salary of $6,000 per year. Another Orechio brother, Frank, received a $54,000 salary as program director for the Wanaque South Water Project.[9] Orechio called the attacks on his brothers "sleazy" and disclaimed any role in their work, noting that appointments were made by the Governor. (The appointments were also confirmed by the Senate.) He refused to appear on a campaign platform with Salerno until he received an apology.[9]
Salerno spent over $110,000 by late October, while Orechio spent over $87,000.[9] Former Democratic Freeholder Martin G. Scaturo ran in the race as an independent candidate.[12][13]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Carmen A. Orechio (incumbent) | 28,613 | 53.8% | 4.4 | |
| Republican | Ralph J. Salerno | 23,523 | 44.2% | 3.5 | |
| Regular Organization | Martin G. Scaturo | 1,061 | 2.0% | N/A | |
| Total votes | 53,197 | 100.00% | |||
Reacting to the results, Orechio said, "They had the money, the big money. But we had the people, and that's what really counted."[14]
District 31
General election
Candidates
- Helen Kozak (Republican)
- Edward T. O'Connor Jr., incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (incumbent) | 23,894 | 80.7% | 5.3 | |
| Republican | Helen Kozak | 5,698 | 19.3% | 5.3 | |
| Total votes | 29,592 | 100.00% | |||
District 32
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Thomas F. Cowan, Assemblyman from Jersey City
- Anthony R. Cucci, former Jersey City councilman[10]
Campaign
The three Hudson County district primaries were part of a struggle for power between Jersey City mayor Gerald McCann and former mayor Thomas F. X. Smith, who ran for Hudson County Executive against incumbent Edward F. Clark.[10]
Cowan was backed by McCann, replacing incumbent Francis E. Rodgers on his slate. Cucci was backed by Smith.[10]
Late in the campaign, Cucci was endorsed by U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, whom he had supported in 1982.[10]
General election
Candidates
- Thomas F. Cowan, Assemblyman from Jersey City (Democratic)
- Joseph A. Plonski (Republican)
- Herbert H. Shaw, perennial candidate from North Bergen (Politicians Are Crooks)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Thomas F. Cowan | 23,510 | 63.8% | 0.4 | |
| Republican | Joseph A. Plonski | 11,997 | 32.6% | 1.8 | |
| Politicians Are Crooks | Herbert H. Shaw | 1,318 | 3.6 | 1.4 | |
| Total votes | 36,825 | 100.00% | |||
District 33
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Christopher Jackman, Speaker of the General Assembly from West New York
- Joseph Simunovich, Hudson County Freeholder from West New York[10]
Campaign
The three Hudson County district primaries were part of a struggle for power between Jersey City mayor Gerald McCann and former mayor Thomas F. X. Smith, who ran for Hudson County Executive against incumbent Edward F. Clark.[10]
Jackman was backed by Smith, while Simunovich was backed by McCann.[10] The race was considered "a tight one" by The New York Times.[10]
Late in the campaign, Jackman was endorsed by U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, whom he had supported in 1982.[10]
General election
Candidates
- Christopher Jackman, Speaker of the General Assembly from West New York (Democratic)
- Carlos E. Munoz, candidate for General Assembly in 1981 (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Christopher Jackman | 18,916 | 66.5% | 15.7 | |
| Republican | Carlos E. Munoz | 9,532 | 33.5% | 15.7 ( 23.4) | |
| Total votes | 28,448 | 100.00% | |||
District 34
Republican primary
Candidates
- Joseph Bubba, incumbent Senator since 1982
- S.M. Terry LaCorte, Assemblyman from Clifton
Campaign
Given the Democratic lean of the district and a potential match-up with James W. Roe, Republican leaders feared a lingering split in the party could lead to a loss in November.[10]
General election
Candidates
- Joseph Bubba, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
- James W. Roe, Passaic County Freeholder and brother of U.S. Representative Robert A. Roe[15] (Democratic)
Campaign
Bubba campaigned on a claim that he had single-handedly blocked efforts by Governor Kean for a 5-cent per gallon gas tax in 1982.[15] Despite this, Kean supported his campaign.[15]
Roe was likewise critical of his own party, referring to the "foot-dragging Legislature" and criticizing the slow pace of legislative negotiations on automobile insurance. He avoided criticism of Kean, who remained popular in the district.[15]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Joseph Bubba (incumbent) | 23,993 | 51.0% | 1.7 | |
| Democratic | James W. Roe | 23,019 | 49.0% | 1.7 | |
| Total votes | 47,012 | 100.00% | |||
District 35
General election
Candidates
- Richard Fontanella (Republican)
- Frank X. Graves Jr., incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Paterson (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Frank X. Graves Jr. (incumbent) | 23,646 | 74.3% | 0.3 | |
| Republican | Richard Fontanella | 8,161 | 25.7% | 0.3 | |
| Total votes | 31,807 | 100.00% | |||
District 36
General election
Candidates
- Joseph Hirkala, incumbent Senator since 1972 and Passaic City Clerk[15] (Democratic)
- Joseph F. Job, former Bergen County Sheriff[15] (Republican)
Campaign
Both candidates had switched parties in the past.[15] Job, who had been a Republican in the 1960s, had spent the last decade as a member of the Democratic Party and served as the campaign manager for the Democratic Assembly ticket in 1981. As a result, he stayed out of the Assembly race, claiming that voters "[were] fortunate in having four good men to choose from."[15] In radio commercials, Hirkala highlighted Job's penchant for switching parties.[9]
With party loyalties blurred, the campaign turned bitterly personal, despite the friendship between the two candidates.[15] Job referred to Hirkala as a "do-nothing" clerk, and Hirkala charged that Job had failed to prevent prison escapes and drug use by inmates as Bergen County Sheriff.[9][15]
Hirkala planned to raise and spend $45,000, most of it from the New Jersey State Democratic Committee.[9] Both candidates utilized radio commercials.[9]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Hirkala (incumbent) | 28,325 | 58.3% | 2.9 | |
| Republican | Joseph F. Job | 20,222 | 41.7% | 0.3 | |
| Total votes | 48,547 | 100.00% | |||
District 37
General election
Candidates
- Matthew Feldman, incumbent Senator since 1974 and former Senate President[b] (Democratic)
- Michael L. Kingman (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Matthew Feldman (incumbent) | 32,645 | 64.3% | 2.6 | |
| Republican | Michael L. Kingman | 18,143 | 35.7% | 2.6 | |
| Total votes | 50,788 | 100.00% | |||
District 38
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Paul Contillo, former Assemblyman from Paramus
- John Skevin, former Senator from Hackensack
General election
Candidates
- Paul Contillo, former Assemblyman from Paramus (Democratic)
- John B. Paolella, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Paul Contillo | 22,422 | 50.7% | 4.2 | |
| Republican | John B. Paolella (incumbent) | 21,827 | 49.3% | 1.7 | |
| Total votes | 44,249 | 100.00% | |||
District 39
General election
Candidates
- Gerald Cardinale, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
- Francis Herbert, former Senator from Waldwick (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gerald Cardinale (incumbent) | 27,199 | 51.2% | 7.0 | |
| Democratic | Francis Herbert | 25,942 | 48.8% | 7.0 | |
| Total votes | 53,141 | 100.0 | |||
District 40
General election
Candidates
- Garrett W. Hagedorn, incumbent Senator since 1968 (Republican)
- Charles F. Ryan (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Garrett W. Hagedorn (incumbent) | 28,755 | 65.5% | 1.3 | |
| Democratic | Charles F. Ryan | 15,152 | 34.5% | 1.3 | |
| Total votes | 43,907 | 100.00% | |||