1988 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

Candidates

• James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975

Results

Candidates

• Frank A. Cristaudo, East Greenwich lawyer and former Gloucester County judge^[3]

Results

Candidates

• Richard Bartucci (Libertarian)
• Frank A. Cristaudo, East Greenwich lawyer and former Gloucester County judge^[3] (Republican)
• James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Republican)

Campaign

Florio, who had run for governor in 1977 and 1981, was widely considered the leading Democratic contender for 1989. Accordingly, the campaign became a referendum on his potential 1989 candidacy.^[3] Cristaudo pointed to Florio's poor congressional attendance during his 1981 campaign and arguing, "The people of this district will be without a Congressman for almost a year in 1989 if they re-elect Mr. Florio, and if he wins the race for governor, they'll have to go through the expense of a special election to pick another Congressman."^[3] Cristaudo also criticized Florio for failing to deliver on a promised veterans hospital, which was built in Ocean County instead.^[3]

Richard Bartucci, the Libertarian candidate, criticized obstacles to free trade, arguing, "If we don't have free trade that allows goods to cross borders, then armies will cross them."^[3]

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	James Florio (incumbent)	141,988	69.89%	5.75
	Republican	Frank A. Cristaudo	60,037	29.55%	5.95
	Libertarian	Richard A. Bartucci	1,125	0.55%	0.20
Total votes			203,153	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Candidates

• William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975

Results

Candidates

• Kirk W. Conover, Atlantic County Freeholder^[3]
• Thomas M. Warner

Results

Candidates

• Kirk W. Conover, Atlantic County Freeholder^[3] (Republican)
• William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
• Richard A. Schindenwolf Jr. (Pro-Life Conservative)

Campaign

Hughes said that the overriding issue in the campaign should be his record, "whether I have been a good Congressman, have exhibited honesty and integrity, and have been accessible and accountable and whether there is any reason to make a change."^[3]

Conover ran on his support of a balanced budget amendment and line-item veto, as well as his support for the Gramm–Rudman–Hollings Balanced Budget Act, which Hughes opposed as a "fiscal straightjacket" which he argued underfunded the United States Coast Guard and other vital services.^[3]

Richard Schindenwolf called for abortion to be outlawed and more United States opposition to communism, including the overthrow of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua. He said that the failed Bay of Pigs invasion had "enabled communism to get a toehold in Cuba and paved the way for exportation of communism to other parts of the Caribbean."^[3]

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	William J. Hughes (incumbent)	134,505	65.73%	1.53
	Republican	Kirk W. Conover	67,769	33.12%	4.48
	Independent	Richard A. Schindenwolf Jr.	2,372	1.16%	N/A
Total votes			204,646	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Candidates

• Frank Pallone, state senator and member of the Long Branch City Council

Withdrew

• Richard McAleer, car leasing agent and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1982^[5]

Declined

• Joseph Frankel, mayor of Eatontown^[6]
• Richard Van Wagner, state senator from Middletown^[6]

Results

Special primary results

Candidates

• Joseph Azzolina, former assemblyman and state senator from Middletown^[6]
• Scott M. Colabella, former aide to Governor Thomas Kean^[7]
• Brian T. Kennedy, former state senator from Sea Girt and nominee for this district in 1984 and 1986^[6]
• Brian J. Rechten, advertising agent and promoter^[8]
• John J. Whalen, retired U.S. Army colonel^[7]

Withdrew

• Anthony M. Villane, assemblyman from Long Branch^[6]

Results

Special primary results

Candidates

• Joseph Azzolina, former assemblyman and state senator from Middletown^[6] (Republican)
• Frank Pallone, state senator and member of the Long Branch City Council (Democratic)
• Laura Stewart (Libertarian)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Frank Pallone	117,024	51.64%	7.06
	Republican	Joseph Azzolina	107,479	47.43%	6.13
	Libertarian	Laura Stewart	2,107	0.93%	N/A
Total votes			226,610	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Special election results

Candidates

• Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981

Results

Candidates

• Betty Holland, wife of Trenton mayor Arthur John Holland^[10]
• Saul G. Hornik, mayor of Marlboro^[8][11]

Results

Candidates

• Judson M. Carter (Independent)
• Betty Holland, wife of Trenton mayor Arthur John Holland^[10] (Democratic)
• Daniel A. Maiullo Jr. (Libertarian)
• Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981 (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Chris Smith (incumbent)	155,283	65.74%	4.63
	Democratic	Betty Holland	79,006	33.45%	5.83
	Independent	Judson M. Carter	1,114	0.47%	N/A
	Libertarian	Daniel A. Maiullo Jr.	791	0.33%	N/A
Total votes			236,194	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Candidates

• Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981

Results

Candidates

• Lee Monaco, Englewood prosecutor^[12]

Results

Candidates

• Daniel M. Karlan (Libertarian)
• Lee Monaco, Englewood prosecutor^[12] (Democratic)
• Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981 (Republican)

Campaign

Monaco ran a campaign calling for principles of natural law, "to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and care for the elderly" by restricting unnecessary military spending.^[12]

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Marge Roukema (incumbent)	175,562	75.69%	7.69
	Democratic	Lee Monaco	54,828	23.64%	8.36
	Libertarian	Daniel M. Karlan	1,546	0.67%	N/A
Total votes			231,936	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Candidates

• Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981

Results

Candidates

• James G. Fennessy
• Peter J. Sica, mayor of Carteret^[10]

Results

Candidates

• Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981 (Democratic)
• Joan Paltrineri (Workers)
• Howard F. Schoen (Libertarian)
• Peter J. Sica, mayor of Carteret^[10] (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Bernard J. Dwyer (incumbent)	120,125	61.10%	7.90
	Republican	Peter J. Sica	74,824	38.06%	9.13
	Socialist Workers	Joan Paltrineri	1,034	0.53%	N/A
	Libertarian	Howard F. Schoen	615	0.31%	N/A
Total votes			196,598	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Candidates

• Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973

Results

Candidates

• James Hely, lawyer and member of the Westfield Town Council^[10]

Results

Candidates

• James Hely, lawyer and member of the Westfield Town Council^[10] (Democratic)
• Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973 (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Matt Rinaldo (incumbent)	153,350	74.61%	4.43
	Democratic	James Hely	52,189	25.39%	4.43
Total votes			205,539	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Candidates

• Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969

Results

Candidates

• Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969 (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert A. Roe	96,035	100.00%	37.21
Total votes			96,035	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Candidates

• Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983

Results

Candidates

• Roger J. Lane, mayor of New Milford^[13]

Results

Candidates

• Richard J. Kemly (Poor Man's)
• Roger J. Lane, mayor of New Milford^[13] (Republican)
• Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983 (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Bob Torricelli (incumbent)	142,012	67.15%	1.87
	Republican	Roger J. Lane	68,363	32.32%	1.34
	Independent	Richard J. Kemly	1,119	0.53%	N/A
Total votes			211,494	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Candidates

• Ralph T. Grant Jr., member of the Newark City Council^[8]
• Donald M. Payne, member of the Newark City Council and candidate for this district in 1980 and 1986^[8]

Results

Candidates

• Michael Webb, U.S. Department of Education program coordinator^[12]

Results

Candidates

• Alan Bowser (Independent)
• Mindy Bridno (Socialist Workers)
• Alvin Curtis (Time for Change)
• Donald M. Payne, member of the Newark City Council and candidate for this district in 1980 and 1986 (Democratic)
• Michael Webb, U.S. Department of Education program coordinator^[12] (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Donald M. Payne	84,681	77.35%	18.59
	Republican	Michael Webb	13,848	12.65%	N/A
	Independent	Anthony Imperiale (withdrawn)	5,422	4.95%	N/A
	Socialist Workers	Mindy Bridno	4,539	4.15%	0.09
	Independent	Alvin Curtis	551	0.50%	N/A
	Independent	Alan Bowser	432	0.39%	N/A
Total votes			109,473	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Candidates

• Dean Gallo, incumbent Representative since 1985

Results

Candidates

• John C. Shaw, supervisor in the office of the Essex County Clerk^[12]

Results

Candidates

• John C. Shaw, supervisor in the office of the Essex County Clerk^[12] (Democratic)
• Dean Gallo, incumbent Representative since 1985 (Republican)
• Jasper Gould (Populist)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Dean Gallo (incumbent)	154,654	70.48%	2.46
	Democratic	John C. Shaw	64,773	29.52%	2.46
Total votes			219,427	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Candidates

• Jim Courter, incumbent Representative since 1979
• Thomas J. Young

Results

Candidates

• Norman J. Weinstein, former president of the Somerville Borough Council and candidate for this district in 1984^[12]

Results

Candidates

• Jim Courter, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Republican)
• Stephen Friedlander (Libertarian)
• Norman J. Weinstein, former president of the Somerville Borough Council and candidate for this district in 1984^[12] (Democratic)

Campaign

Despite the district's strong Republican lean, Courter ran an active campaign with frequent television advertising which made no mention of his re-election bid, in order to raise his profile ahead of an anticipated 1989 run for governor.^[12]

Weinstein criticized Courter's record on environmental legislation; he received the lowest rating in the New Jersey delegation from the League of Conservation Voters. Courter defended the attack by citing bills he had sponsored protecting clean air and water and restricting offshore dumping and oil drilling.^[12] Weinstein also criticized Courter's call to follow Michigan, Florida and New York in restricting lawsuits for all but the most serious automobile injuries and allowing automobile insurers to establish rates, rather than the state government.^[12]

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Courter (incumbent)	165,918	69.27%	5.78
	Democratic	Norman J. Weinstein	71,596	29.89%	6.62
	Libertarian	Stephen Friedlander	2,023	0.84%	N/A
Total votes			239,537	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Candidates

• Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative since 1984

Results

Candidates

• Michael DiMarco
• James B. Smith, former mayor of Mount Holly and nominee for this district in 1984^[14]

Results

Candidates

• Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative since 1984 (Republican)
• James B. Smith, former mayor of Mount Holly and nominee for this district in 1984^[14] (Democratic)

Campaign

Saxton ran on his support for preserving Social Security benefits and providing home healthcare for the elderly, along with Ronald Reagan's economic program, which he credited for "the economic growth and low unemployment... that we have enjoyed for the last few years."^[3]

Smith said he supported trade restrictions on foreign imports to protect American jobs and industry; Saxton supported Reagan's decision to veto such restrictions.^[3] Smith also called for the restoration of "impact aid" for public school districts serving families of military personnel,^[3] a large number of which lived in this district.

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Saxton (incumbent)	167,470	69.48%	4.12
	Democratic	James B. Smith	73,561	30.52%	4.12
Total votes			241,031	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close

Candidates

• Edward A. Allen, pastor of Philemon Missionary Baptist Church in Newark^[8]
• Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979
• Robert P. Haney Jr., Jersey City attorney and barkeeper^[8]

Endorsements

Results

Candidates

• James V. McNally
• Louis Russo

Results

After the primary, Russo was replaced by Fred Theemling Jr. on the general election ballot.

Candidates

• Peter Galbo (Independent)
• Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Democratic)
• John A. Jones ("All-Peoples Congress")
• John Rummel (Communist)
• Fred J. Theemling Jr., former Hudson County assistant prosecutor^[15] (Republican)
• Christopher White (Libertarian)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...

1988 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Frank J. Guarini (incumbent)	104,001	67.34%	3.33
	Republican	Fred J. Theemling Jr.	47,293	30.62%	3.92
	Independent	John A. Jones	1,346	0.87%	N/A
	Libertarian	Christopher White	1,006	0.65%	N/A
	Communist	John Rummel	442	0.29%	N/A
	Independent	Peter Galbo	353	0.23%	N/A
Total votes			154,440	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

Close