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2001 New Jersey Senate election

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The 2001 New Jersey Senate election was held on November 6. The election took place alongside Jim McGreevey's landslide election as Governor of New Jersey and were held in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks, which killed 750 New Jerseyans[2] and impacted many others. Under a newly redrawn map, Democrats gained five seats to split control of the Senate evenly. Democrats flipped districts 3 (after the incumbent switched parties earlier in the year), 18 (which was vacant), 22, 34, and 38.

Quick facts All 40 seats in the New Jersey State Senate 21 seats needed for a majority, Turnout ...
2001 New Jersey Senate elections
← 1997
November 5, 2001
2003 →
All 40 seats in the New Jersey State Senate
21 seats needed for a majority
Turnout49%[1] (Decrease 7pp)
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Donald DiFrancesco
(retired)		 Richard Codey
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since January 14, 1992 January 12, 1998
Leader's seat 22nd (Warren Township) 27th (West Orange)
Last election 24 16
Seats before 24 15
Seats won 20 20
Seat change Decrease 4 Increase 5
Popular vote 1,014,900 1,043,280
Percentage 48.9% 50.3%
Results by district
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     Republican hold
Senate President before election

Donald DiFrancesco
Republican

 Elected Senate President

John O. Bennett and Richard Codey

Close

A power-sharing agreement was reached with John O. Bennett and Richard Codey as co-presidents of the Senate. This is the last time Democrats did not win an outright majority of New Jersey State Senate seats, as well as the last time any Senate seats in North Jersey changed parties.

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

Background

Redistricting

1992–02
2002–2012
New Jersey Legislature before (left) and after (right) the 2001 redistricting

As required, the New Jersey legislature redistricted its state legislative districts in advance of the 2001 election. Most Senators remained in their existing districts, though Senator Kevin J. O'Toole was redistricted to the 40th district and chose not to challenge.

The new map was based on a revised Democratic map chosen by Professor Larry Bartels of Princeton University, the non-partisan member of the reapportionment commission.[3]

Republicans challenged the district map under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, arguing that by shifting some African-American and Hispanic voters out of three predominantly minority districts in and around Newark and spreading them to other, mostly white districts, the plan diluted minority voting strength. The case was rejected by the U.S. Court for the District of New Jersey.[3] The Republican suit was dismissed partly under the influence of the near-unanimous support of New Jersey's incumbent minority legislators for the Democratic claim that their map would result in more minority representation, rather than less.[3]

Incumbents not running for re-election

Democratic

Republican

Summary of results by State Senate district

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent Party Elected Senator Party
1st Legislative District James Cafiero Rep James Cafiero Rep
2nd Legislative District William Gormley Rep William Gormley Rep
3rd Legislative District Raymond Zane Rep[a] Steve Sweeney Dem
4th Legislative District John Matheussen Rep John Matheussen Rep
5th Legislative District Wayne R. Bryant Dem Wayne R. Bryant Dem
6th Legislative District John Adler Dem John Adler Dem
7th Legislative District Diane Allen Rep Diane Allen Rep
8th Legislative District Martha W. Bark Rep Martha W. Bark Rep
9th Legislative District Leonard T. Connors Rep Leonard T. Connors Rep
10th Legislative District Andrew R. Ciesla Rep Andrew R. Ciesla Rep
11th Legislative District Joseph A. Palaia Rep Joseph A. Palaia Rep
12th Legislative District John O. Bennett Rep John O. Bennett Rep
13th Legislative District Joe Kyrillos Rep Joe Kyrillos Rep
14th Legislative District Peter Inverso Rep Peter Inverso Rep
15th Legislative District Shirley Turner Dem Shirley Turner Dem
16th Legislative District Walter J. Kavanaugh Rep Walter J. Kavanaugh Rep
17th Legislative District John A. Lynch Jr. Dem Bob Smith Dem
18th Legislative District Vacant[b] Barbara Buono Dem
19th Legislative District Joe Vitale Dem Joe Vitale Dem
20th Legislative District Raymond Lesniak Dem Raymond Lesniak Dem
21st Legislative District Kevin O'Toole[c][d] Rep Richard Bagger Rep
22nd Legislative District Donald DiFrancesco Rep Joseph Suliga Dem
23rd Legislative District William E. Schluter Rep Leonard Lance Rep
24th Legislative District Robert Littell Rep Robert Littell Rep
25th Legislative District Anthony Bucco Rep Anthony Bucco Rep
26th Legislative District Robert Martin Rep Robert Martin Rep
27th Legislative District Richard Codey Dem Richard Codey Dem
28th Legislative District Ronald Rice Dem Ronald Rice Dem
29th Legislative District Sharpe James[e] Dem Sharpe James Dem
30th Legislative District Robert W. Singer Rep Robert W. Singer Rep
31st Legislative District Edward T. O'Connor Jr. Dem Joseph Charles Dem
32nd Legislative District Nicholas Sacco Dem Nicholas Sacco Dem
33rd Legislative District Bernard Kenny Dem Bernard Kenny Dem
34th Legislative District Norman M. Robertson Rep Nia Gill Dem
35th Legislative District John Girgenti Dem John Girgenti Dem
36th Legislative District Garry Furnari Dem Garry Furnari Dem
37th Legislative District Byron Baer Dem Byron Baer Dem
38th Legislative District Louis F. Kosco Rep Joseph Coniglio Dem
39th Legislative District Gerald Cardinale Rep Gerald Cardinale Rep
40th Legislative District Henry McNamara Rep Henry McNamara Rep
Close

Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  1. Legislative District 1, 0.8%
  2. Legislative District 3, 3.0% gain
  3. Legislative District 7, 8.2%
  4. Legislative District 14, 4.2%
  5. Legislative District 36, 3.0%
  6. Legislative District 38, 6.2% gain
  1. [a]
    Senator Zane switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party in February 2001.
  2. [b]
    Senator Jack Sinagra resigned on October 23, 2001, to become chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
  3. [c]
    O'Toole was appointed to the Senate after Senator C. Louis Bassano resigned to join the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
  4. [d]
    Redistricted to 40th district.
  5. [e]
    James was appointed in June 1999 to complete the unexpired term of Senator Wynona Lipman. He won a special election for the seat in 1999.

District 1

General election

Candidates

  • James Cafiero, incumbent Senator since 1990[a] (Republican)
  • William J. Hughes Jr., federal antitrust prosecutor and son of former U.S. Representative William J. Hughes (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Cafiero (incumbent) 31,150 50.4
Democratic William J. Hughes, Jr. 30,709 49.6
Total votes 61,859 100.00%
Close

District 2

General election

Candidates

  • David Alcantara (Green)
  • Bill Gormley, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Gormley (incumbent) 34,786 86.5
Green David Alcantara 5,411 13.5
Total votes 40,197 100.00%
Close

District 3

General election

Candidates

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stephen M. Sweeney 29,873 51.5
Republican Raymond Zane (incumbent) 28,138 48.5
Total votes 58,011 100.00%
Close

District 4

General election

Candidates

  • Joseph L. Manganello (Democratic)
  • John Matheussen, incumbent Senator since 1992 (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John J. Matheussen (incumbent) 28,530 58.2
Democratic Joseph L. Manganello 20,451 41.8
Total votes 48,981 100.00%
Close

District 5

General election

Candidates

  • Wayne R. Bryant, incumbent Senator since 1995 (Democratic)
  • Maryann T. Callahan (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wayne R. Bryant (incumbent) 29,568 69.3
Republican Maryann T. Callahan 13,087 30.7
Total votes 42,655 100.00%
Close

District 6

General election

Candidates

  • John Adler, incumbent Senator since 1992 (Democratic)
  • Jane A. Greenfogel (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Adler (incumbent) 39,336 66.7
Republican Jane A. Greenfogel 19,635 33.3
Total votes 58,971 100.00%
Close

District 7

General election

Candidates

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Diane Allen (incumbent) 29,756 54.1
Democratic Lou Gallagher 25,293 45.9
Total votes 55,049 100.00%
Close

District 8

General election

Candidates

  • Martha W. Bark, incumbent Senator since 1997 (Republican)
  • Gary E. Haman (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Martha W. Bark (incumbent) 35,276 60.7
Democratic Gary E. Haman 22,865 39.3
Total votes 58,141 100.00%
Close

District 9

General election

Candidates

  • Leonard T. Connors, incumbent Senator since 1982 and mayor of Surf City (Republican)
  • Mark Schreckstein (Common Sense Independent)
  • Peter A. Terranova (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Leonard T. Connors (incumbent) 43,303 58.7%
Democratic Peter A. Terranova 29,885 40.5%
Common Sense Independent Mark Schreckenstein 588 0.8%
Total votes 73,776 100.00%
Close

District 10

General election

Candidates

  • Andrew R. Ciesla, incumbent Senator since 1992 (Republican)
  • Timothy E. Ryan (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Andrew R. Ciesla (incumbent) 36,329 56.8%
Democratic Timothy E. Ryan 27,609 43.2%
Total votes 63,938 100.00%
Close

District 11

General election

Candidates

  • Maureen O'Rourke (Democratic)
  • Joseph A. Palaia, incumbent Senator since 1989 and president pro tempore of the New Jersey Senate (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph A. Palaia (incumbent) 36,385 62.0%
Democratic Maureen O'Rourke 22,261 38.0%
Total votes 58,646 100.00%
Close

District 12

General election

Candidates

  • John O. Bennett, incumbent Senator since 1989 and Senate Majority Leader (Republican)
  • Amy I. Aughenbaugh (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John O. Bennett (incumbent) 34,464 58.8%
Democratic Amy I. Aughenbaugh 24,189 41.2%
Total votes 58,653 100.00%
Close

District 13

General election

Candidates

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joe Kyrillos (incumbent) 38,089 64.4%
Democratic Kiran Desai 21,066 35.6%
Total votes 59,155 100.00%
Close

District 14

General election

Candidates

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Peter Inverso (incumbent) 32,034 52.1%
Democratic Sam Plumeri Jr. 29,458 47.9%
Total votes 61,492 100.00%
Close

District 15

General election

Candidates

  • Thomas D. Abrams (Libertarian)
  • Norbert E. Donelly (Republican)
  • Shirley Turner, incumbent Senator since 1998 (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Shirley Turner (incumbent) 32,289 69.1%
Republican Norbert E. Donelly 13,871 29.7%
Libertarian Thomas D. Abrams 563 1.2%
Total votes 46,723 100.00%
Close

District 16

General election

Candidates

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Walter J. Kavanaugh (incumbent) 39,073 66.6%
Democratic Daniel Wartenberg 19,589 33.4%
Total votes 58,662 100.00%
Close

District 17

General election

Candidates

  • Skip House (Republican)
  • Bob Smith, member of the General Assembly and former mayor of Piscataway (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Smith 29,290 68.9
Republican Matthew "Skip" House 13,216 31.1
Total votes 42,506 100.00%
Close

District 18

General election

Candidates

  • Barbara Buono, member of the General Assembly (Democratic)
  • John G. Cito (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Barbara Buono 33,487 65.0
Republican John G. Cito 18,064 35.0
Total votes 51,551 100.00%
Close

District 19

General election

Candidates

  • Naresh Gidwani (Republican)
  • Joe Vitale, incumbent Senator since 1998 (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Vitale (incumbent) 37,322 77.4%
Republican Naresh "Nick" Gidwani 10,928 22.6%
Total votes 48,250 100.00%
Close

District 20

General election

Candidates

  • Raymond Lesniak, incumbent Senator since 1983 (Democratic)
  • Daniel M. Nozza (Schundler for Governor)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raymond J. Lesniak 22,817 80.0%
Schundler for Governor Daniel M. Nozza 5,698 20.0%
Total votes 28,515 100.0
Close

District 21

General election

Candidates

  • Richard Bagger, member of the General Assembly since 1992 (Republican)
  • Ellen Steinberg (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Bagger 41,539 58.6%
Democratic Ellen Steinberg 29,342 41.4%
Total votes 70,881 100.00%
Close

District 22

General election

Candidates

  • Milt Campbell, former Olympic decathlete and professional football player (Republican)
  • Joseph Suliga, member of the General Assembly since 1994 (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph S. Suliga 29,326 59.1
Republican Milton Campbell 20,330 40.9
Total votes 49,656 100.00%
Close

District 23

General election

Candidates

  • Frederick P. Cook (Democratic)
  • Leonard Lance, member of the General Assembly since 1991 and son of former Senator Wesley Lance (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Leonard Lance 43,721 69.3
Democratic Frederick P. Cook 19,407 30.7
Total votes 63,128 100.00%
Close

District 24

General election

Candidates

  • Robert Littell, incumbent Senator since 1990 (Republican)
  • Edwin Selby (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Littell (incumbent) 41,019 74.4%
Democratic Edwin Selby 14,117 25.6%
Total votes 55,136 100.00%
Close

District 25

General election

Candidates

  • Anthony Bucco, incumbent Senator since 1998 (Republican)
  • Horace Chamberlain (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Anthony R. Bucco (incumbent) 38,020 65.5%
Democratic Horace Chamberlain 20,017 34.5%
Total votes 58,037 100.00%
Close

District 26

General election

Candidates

  • Robert Martin, incumbent Senator since 1993 (Republican)
  • Paul E. Pinney (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Martin (incumbent) 38,779 65.9%
Democratic Paul E. Pinney 20,090 34.1%
Total votes 58,869 100.00%
Close

District 27

General election

Candidates

  • Richard Codey, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)
  • Donald Page (African-Americans for Justice)
  • Jared Silverman (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard J. Codey 35,237 64.7
Republican Jared Silverman 17,871 32.8
African-Americans For Justice Donald Page 1,359 2.5
Total votes 54,467 100.00%
Close

District 28

General election

Candidates

  • Brian E. Coleman (Independent)
  • Marion Crecco, member of the General Assembly since 1986 (Republican)
  • Ronald Rice, incumbent Senator since 1986 (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ronald Rice (incumbent) 27,294 69.4%
Republican Marion Crecco 11,646 29.6%
Independent Brian E. Coleman 403 1.0
Total votes 39,343 100.00%
Close

District 29

General election

Candidates

  • Sharpe James, incumbent Senator since 1999 and mayor of Newark (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sharpe James (incumbent) 25,510 100.0%
Total votes 25,510 100.00%
Close

District 30

General election

Candidates

  • Timothy J. Konopka (Democratic)
  • Robert Singer, incumbent Senator since 1993 (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Singer (incumbent) 31,671 61.7%
Democratic Timothy J. Konopka 19,690 38.3%
Total votes 51,361 100.00%
Close

District 31

General election

Candidates

  • Joseph Charles, member of the General Assembly since 1982 (Democratic)
  • Martin J. McFadden (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph Charles 29,401 74.1%
Republican Martin J. McFadden 10,250 25.9%
Total votes 39,651 100.00%
Close

District 32

General election

Candidates

  • Martin J. McFadden (Republican)
  • Nicholas Sacco, incumbent Senator since 1994 and mayor of North Bergen (Democratic)
  • Herbert H. Shaw, perennial candidate (Politicians are Crooks)
  • Louis Vernotico (Eliminate Primary Elections)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nicholas Sacco (incumbent) 26,991 69.0%
Republican Frank MacCormack 11,514 29.4%
Politicians Are Crooks Herbert H. Shaw 396 1.0%
Eliminate Primary Elections Louis Vernotico 196 0.5%
Total votes 39,097 100.00%
Close

District 33

General election

Candidates

  • Bernard Kenny, incumbent Senator since 1993 (Democratic)
  • Nancy Gaynor (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bernard Kenny (incumbent) 28,659 75.3%
Republican Nancy Gaynor 9,378 24.7%
Total votes 38,037 100.00%
Close

District 34

General election

Candidates

  • Nia Gill, member of the General Assembly since 1994 (Democratic)
  • Norman M. Robertson, incumbent Senator since 1998 (Republican)
  • Marie Yvrose Celestin (Social Economic Empowerment)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nia Gill 30,453 64.9%
Republican Norman M. Robertson (incumbent) 16,135 34.4%
Social Economic Empowerment Marie Yvrose Celestin 368 0.8
Total votes 46,956 100.00%
Close

District 35

General election

Candidates

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Girgenti (incumbent) 25,844 100.0%
Total votes 25,844 100.00%
Close

District 36

General election

Candidates

  • Joseph Farallo (Green Coalition)
  • Garry Furnari, incumbent Senator since 1998 (Democratic)
  • John V. Kelly, member of the General Assembly since 1986[b] (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Garry Furnari (incumbent) 22,914 50.8%
Republican John V. Kelly 21,571 47.8%
Green Coalition Joseph Farallo 642 1.4
Total votes 45,127 100.00%
Close

District 37

General election

Candidates

  • Byron Baer, incumbent Senator since 1994 (Democratic)
  • Jonathan L. Bender (Republican)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Byron Baer (incumbent) 33,650 66.4%
Republican Jonathan L. Bender 17,037 33.6%
Total votes 50,687 100.00%
Close

District 38

General election

Candidates

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph Coniglio 29,316 53.2%
Republican Louis F. Kosco (incumbent) 25,773 46.8%
Total votes 55,089 100.00%
Close

District 39

General election

Candidates

  • Alan Baskin (Democratic)
  • Gerald Cardinale, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
  • George E. Soroka (Conservative)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gerald Cardinale (incumbent) 42,717 62.9%
Democratic Alan Baskin 24,543 36.2%
Conservative George E. Soroka 616 0.9%
Total votes 67,876 100.00%
Close

District 40

General election

Candidates

  • Henry McNamara, incumbent Senator since 1985 (Republican)
  • Jack Nigro (Democratic)

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2001[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry McNamara (incumbent) 39,815 62.3%
Democratic Jack Nigro 24,122 37.7%
Total votes 63,937 100.00%
Close

Notes

  1. [a]
    Cafiero had previously served a term in the Senate from 1972 to 1982.
  2. [b]
    Kelly previously served a term in the General Assembly from 1982 to 1984.

See also

References

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