1986 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey
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The 1986 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 8, 1986, 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 fourteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1980 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms.
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November 4, 1986
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All 14 New Jersey seats to the United States House of Representatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Turnout | 43%[1] ( 36pp) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All incumbents were re-elected to their seats.
Overview
| 1986 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey[2] | ||||||
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| Party | Votes | Percentage | Candidates | Seats | +/– | |
| Democratic | 811,066 | 52.21% | 14 | 8 |  | |
| Republican | 730,596 | 47.03% | 13 | 6 | | |
| Socialist Workers | 1,977 | 0.13% | 1 | 0 | | |
| Libertarian | 931 | 0.06% | 1 | 0 | | |
| Independents | 8,974 | 0.58% | 5 | 0 | | |
| Totals | 1,553,544 | 100.00% | 34 | 14 | | |
District 1
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Incumbent Democrat James Florio won. The district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975
- Charles W. Kahler
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James Florio (incumbent) | 22,581 | 95.70% | |
| Democratic | Charles W. Kahler | 1,015 | 4.30% | |
| Total votes | 23,596 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Fred A. Busch
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Fred A. Busch | 7,537 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 7,537 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Fred A. Busch (Republican)
- James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Republican)
- Jerry Zeldin (Libertarian)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James Florio (incumbent) | 93,497 | 75.64% | ||
| Republican | Fred A. Busch | 29,175 | 23.60% | ||
| Libertarian | Jerry Zeldin | 931 | 0.75% | ||
| Total votes | 123,603 | 100.00% | |||
| Turnout | 126,584 | 47.72% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 2
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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 Gloucester County.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975
- Robert Wesser
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William J. Hughes (incumbent) | 12,113 | 95.11% | |
| Democratic | Robert Wesser | 623 | 4.89% | |
| Total votes | 12,736 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Alfred J. Bennington Jr., Northfield lawyer[5]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Alfred J. Bennington Jr. | 13,315 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 13,315 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Alfred J. Bennington Jr., Northfield lawyer[5] (Republican)
- William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
- Len Smith (Pro Life, Anti-Abortion)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William J. Hughes (incumbent) | 83,821 | 68.26% | ||
| Republican | Alfred J. Bennington Jr. | 35,167 | 28.64% | ||
| Independent | Len Smith | 3,812 | 3.10% | ||
| Total votes | 122,800 | 100.00% | |||
| Turnout | 129,479 | 47.79% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 3
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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
- Jeanne Martines
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James J. Howard (incumbent) | 11,684 | 95.22% | |
| Democratic | Jeanne Martines | 586 | 4.78% | |
| Total votes | 12,270 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Brian T. Kennedy, former state senator from Sea Girt and nominee for this district in 1984[6]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brian T. Kennedy | 12,431 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 12,431 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- James J. Howard, incumbent Representative since 1965 (Democratic)
- Brian T. Kennedy, former state senator from Sea Girt and nominee for this district in 1984[6] (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James J. Howard (incumbent) | 73,743 | 58.70% | ||
| Republican | Brian T. Kennedy | 51,882 | 41.30% | ||
| Total votes | 125,625 | 100.00% | |||
| Turnout | 129,110 | 45.06% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 4
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Incumbent Republican Chris Smith won. This district, in Central Jersey, consisted of parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chris Smith (incumbent) | 8,008 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 8,008 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Stephen A. Koczak
- Jeffrey Laurenti, former executive director of the New Jersey Senate Democratic majority and candidate for this district in 1984[5]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jeffrey Laurenti | 10,649 | 88.39% | |
| Democratic | Stephen A. Koczak | 1,399 | 11.61% | |
| Total votes | 12,048 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Earl G. Dickey (Stop Financing Communism)
- Jeffrey Laurenti, former executive director of the New Jersey Senate Democratic majority[5] (Democratic)
- Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981 (Republican)
Campaign
The fourth district campaign was considered the bitterest of the election cycle.[5]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chris Smith (incumbent) | 78,699 | 61.11% | ||
| Democratic | Jeffrey Laurenti | 49,290 | 38.28% | ||
| Independent | Earl G. Dickey | 789 | 0.61% | ||
| Total votes | 128,778 | 100.00% | |||
| Turnout | 132,360 | 45.35% | |||
| Republican hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 5
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Incumbent Marge Roukema won. This district included parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
- William B. Grant, businessman, former member of the Montclair Township Commission and nominee for the eleventh district in 1974[7]
- Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981
Campaign
Grant challenged Roukema over fiscal issues, primarily her opposition to the Reagan administration's increased defense spending, arguing that his candidacy "[gave] Republican voters in the fifth district a choice between someone who supports the president on rebuilding national defense and someone who votes with the majority of Democrats against the majority of Republicans."[7] He also criticized her vote in favor of the Boland Amendment, which restricted funding for the Nicaraguan Contra rebels and said he would have opposed the Gramm–Rudman–Hollings Balanced Budget Act and cuts to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments instead sought to reduce the deficit through domestic spending cuts, including the liquidation of the Amtrak passenger rail system.[7]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Marge Roukema (incumbent) | 15,048 | 74.97% | |
| Republican | William B. Grant | 5,023 | 25.03% | |
| Total votes | 20,071 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Denise A. Ham, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
- H. Vernon Jolley, Oradell lawyer[5]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | H. Vernon Jolley | 6,353 | 83.37% | |
| Democratic | Denise A. Ham | 1,267 | 16.63% | |
| Total votes | 7,620 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- H. Vernon Jolley, Oradell lawyer[5] (Democratic)
- Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981 (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Marge Roukema (incumbent) | 85,949 | 68.00% | ||
| Democratic | H. Vernon Jolley | 40,449 | 32.00% | ||
| Total votes | 126,398 | 100.00% | |||
| Turnout | 134,220 | 46.32% | |||
| Republican hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 6
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Incumbent Democrat Bernard J. Dwyer won. This district included parts of Middlesex, Monmouth and Union counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Anne DeGennaro
- Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bernard J. Dwyer (incumbent) | 20,918 | 87.53% | |
| Democratic | Anne DeGennaro | 2,981 | 12.47% | |
| Total votes | 23,899 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- John D. Scalamonti
- Ernest L. Oros, member of the Woodbridge Township Council[8]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John D. Scalamonti | 2,439 | 58.63% | |
| Republican | Ernest L. Oros | 1,721 | 41.37% | |
| Total votes | 4,160 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981 (Democratic)
- Rose Zeidwerg Monyek ("Inflation Fighting Housewife")
- John D. Scalamonti (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bernard J. Dwyer (incumbent) | 67,460 | 69.00% | ||
| Republican | John D. Scalamonti | 28,286 | 28.93% | ||
| Independent | Rose Zeidwerg Monyek | 2,023 | 2.07% | ||
| Total votes | 97,769 | 100.00% | |||
| Turnout | 103,110 | 37.54% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 7
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Incumbent Matt Rinaldo won. This district included parts of Essex, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Matt Rinaldo (incumbent) | 10,541 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 10,541 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- James J. Cleary, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
- June S. Fischer, member of the Democratic National Committee[9]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | June S. Fischer | 9,799 | 86.41% | |
| Democratic | James J. Cleary | 1,541 | 13.59% | |
| Total votes | 11,340 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- June S. Fischer, member of the Democratic National Committee[9] (Democratic)
- Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973 (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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| Republican | Matt Rinaldo (incumbent) | 92,254 | 79.04% | ||
| Democratic | June S. Fischer | 24,462 | 20.96% | ||
| Total votes | 116,716 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 8
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Incumbent Robert Roe won without opposition. This district included parts of Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Arthur Fairchild, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
- Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Democratic | Robert A. Roe (incumbent) | 13,782 | 95.76% | |
| Democratic | Arthur Fairchild | 610 | 4.24% | |
| Total votes | 14,392 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Ronald Ruise
- Thomas P. Zampino, Belleville lawyer[10]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Thomas P. Zampino | 6,699 | 85.19% | |
| Republican | Ronald Ruise | 1,165 | 14.81% | |
| Total votes | 7,864 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969 (Democratic)
- Thomas P. Zampino, Belleville lawyer[10] (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert A. Roe (incumbent) | 57,820 | 62.79% | ||
| Republican | Thomas P. Zampino | 34,269 | 37.21% | ||
| Total votes | 92,089 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 9
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Incumbent Democrat Bob Torricelli won. This district consisted of parts of Bergen and Hudson counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Elliot Greenspan, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
- Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Democratic | Robert G. Torricelli (incumbent) | 14,201 | 96.47% | |
| Democratic | Elliot Greenspan | 520 | 3.53% | |
| Total votes | 14,721 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Arthur F. Jones, Bergen County Freeholder[5]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Republican | Arthur F. Jones | 6,265 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 6,265 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Arthur F. Jones, Bergen County Freeholder[5] (Republican)
- Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983 (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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| Democratic | Bob Torricelli (incumbent) | 89,634 | 69.02% | ||
| Republican | Arthur F. Jones | 40,226 | 30.98% | ||
| Total votes | 129,860 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 10
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Incumbent Democrat Peter W. Rodino won. The district included parts of Essex and Union counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- A. Pearl Hart, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
- Arthur S. Jones
- Donald M. Payne, member of the Newark City Council and candidate for this district in 1980
- Peter W. Rodino, incumbent Representative since 1949
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Democratic | Peter W. Rodino (incumbent) | 25,138 | 59.50% | |
| Democratic | Donald M. Payne | 15,216 | 35.80% | |
| Democratic | A. Pearl Hart | 967 | 2.29% | |
| Democratic | Arthur S. Jones | 931 | 2.20% | |
| Total votes | 42,252 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Alvin K. Terry
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Republican | Alvin K. Terry | 1,939 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 1,939 | 100.00% | ||
After the primary, Terry withdrew his name from the general election ballot.[11]
General election
Candidates
- Chris Brandlon (Socialist Workers)
- Peter W. Rodino, incumbent Representative since 1949 (Democratic)
Withdrew
- Alvin K. Terry[11] (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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| Democratic | Peter W. Rodino (incumbent) | 46,666 | 95.94% | ||
| Socialist Workers | Chris Brandlon | 1,977 | 4.06% | ||
| Total votes | 48,643 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 11
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Incumbent Republican Dean Gallo won. This district consisted of parts of Essex, Morris, Sussex and Warren counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Dean Gallo, incumbent Representative since 1985
- Kevin E. Reid
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Republican | Dean Gallo (incumbent) | 14,806 | 86.73% | |
| Republican | Kevin E. Reid | 2,266 | 13.27% | |
| Total votes | 17,072 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Frank Askin, West Orange attorney and civil rights activist[5]
- Mary Frueholz, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Democratic | Frank Askin | 10,399 | 88.99% | |
| Democratic | Mary Frueholz | 1,287 | 11.01% | |
| Total votes | 11,686 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Frank Askin, West Orange attorney and civil rights activist[5] (Democratic)
- Dean Gallo, incumbent Representative since 1985 (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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| Republican | Dean Gallo (incumbent) | 75,037 | 68.02% | ||
| Democratic | Frank Askin | 35,280 | 31.98% | ||
| Total votes | 110,317 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 12
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Incumbent Republican Jim Courter won. This sprawling district included all of Hunterdon County and parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jim Courter, incumbent Representative since 1979
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Republican | Jim Courter (incumbent) | 15,037 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 15,037 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- David Crabiel, Middlesex County Freeholder and candidate for the fourth district in 1974
- Richard Forbes, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Democratic | David Crabiel | 7,774 | 82.80% | |
| Democratic | Richard Forbes | 1,615 | 17.20% | |
| Total votes | 9,389 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- David Crabiel, Middlesex County Freeholder and candidate for the fourth district in 1974 (Democratic)
- Jim Courter, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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| Republican | Jim Courter (incumbent) | 72,966 | 63.49% | ||
| Democratic | David Crabiel | 41,967 | 36.51% | ||
| Total votes | 114,933 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 13
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Incumbent Republican Jim Saxton won. This district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative since 1984
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Republican | Jim Saxton (incumbent) | 16,928 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 16,928 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Eugene Allan Creech
- Charles M. Grigley, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
- John Wydra, Cherry Hill radio newscaster[5]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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| Democratic | John Wydra | 10,042 | 91.35% | |
| Democratic | Charles M. Grigley | 680 | 6.19% | |
| Democratic | Eugene Allan Creech | 271 | 2.47% | |
| Total votes | 10,993 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative since 1984 (Republican)
- John Wydra, Cherry Hill radio newscaster[5] (Democratic)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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| Republican | Jim Saxton (incumbent) | 82,866 | 65.36% | ||
| Democratic | John Wydra | 43,920 | 34.64% | ||
| Total votes | 126,786 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
District 14
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Incumbent Democrat Frank J. Guarini won. This district included parts Hudson County.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979
- Herbert D. Smith, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
- Marie R. Vaughan
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Frank J. Guarini (incumbent) | 30,043 | 87.42% | |
| Democratic | Marie R. Vaughan | 3,844 | 11.19% | |
| Democratic | Herbert D. Smith | 479 | 1.39% | |
| Total votes | 34,366 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Octavio Alfonso
- Albio Sires, Memorial High School teacher
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Albio Sires | 3,203 | 56.96% | |
| Republican | Octavio Alonso | 2,420 | 43.04% | |
| Total votes | 5,623 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Democratic)
- William Link ("Let Freedom Ring")
- Herbert Shaw, perennial candidate (Port Authority = Crooks)
- Albio Sires, Memorial High School teacher (Republican)
Campaign
In part to aid Sires, the National Republican Committee funded a $20,000 Hispanic voter registration drive in the district.[11]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Frank J. Guarini (incumbent) | 63,057 | 70.67% | ||
| Republican | Albio Sires | 23,822 | 26.70% | ||
| Independent | Herbert Shaw | 1,825 | 2.05% | ||
| Independent | William Link | 525 | 0.59% | ||
| Total votes | 89,229 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | {{{swing}}} | |||
In 1995, Sires was elected mayor of West New York as an independent before switching to the Democratic Party. He was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1999 and represented the equivalent of this district in Congress from a 2006 special election until leaving office in 2023. In the 2006 race, Sires ironically defeated a Republican named John J. Guarini.