2001 New Jersey gubernatorial election
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The 2001 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2001. Primaries took place on June 25.[2][3] Democratic nominee Jim McGreevey won the general election with 56% of the vote against Republican Bret Schundler,[4] becoming New Jersey's first majority-elected governor since James Florio in 1989. Democrats simultaneously ended Republican control of both houses of the legislature after 10 years. This is also the last statewide election in which Democrats won Monmouth and Ocean counties. This was the first time since 1973 that a Democrat won without carrying Cape May County.[5]
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November 6, 2001
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| Turnout | 49%[1] ( 7pp) | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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  McGreevey: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Schundler: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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McGreevey, who was sworn in on January 15, 2002, resigned in November 2004 after disclosing both his homosexuality and an alleged extramarital relationship with a man whom he had appointed as one of his advisors.[6] He was succeeded by Senate President Richard Codey, who filled the remainder of McGreevey's term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Jim McGreevey, mayor of Woodbridge, former state senator and nominee for governor in 1997
- Elliot Greenspan, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
Withdrew
- Robert Torricelli, U.S. senator since 1997 (withdrew July 31, 2000)[7][8]
Declined
- Frank Pallone, U.S. representative from Long Branch
- Bill Pascrell, U.S. representative from Paterson
Campaign
Beginning with his loss in the 1997 campaign, Jim McGreevey actively sought support for a second consecutive nomination for governor by courting labor leaders and county party chairmen, whose endorsements were crucial to securing the county line.[7] In late June 2000, he raised $3.2 million for the state party.[7]
In July 2000, U.S. senator Robert Torricelli announced he would challenge McGreevey for the nomination. Torricelli put himself forward as a candidate who could bridge the gap between the northern and southern wings of the party, which remained bitterly divided after the primary election for United States Senate earlier in the year. He quickly secured the support of some labor leaders and minor endorsements in Camden, Morris, Bergen and Burlington counties, and his supporters predicted that he would receive party endorsements in populous Essex and Hudson counties as well, giving him a "stranglehold" on the nomination.[7] However, Torricelli was dogged by ethics complaints stemming from his 1996 campaign, which had resulted in a federal investigation and guilty pleas from six contributors, and his widely publicized investments in several private equity deals. Additionally, his personal style and ambition had drawn many rivals within the state party.[7]
With support from state senators Raymond Lesniak and John A. Lynch Jr., McGreevey was able to block Torricelli from gaining South Jersey county endorsements and lock up the support of organized labor.[7] In late July, the state party published polling which showed that McGreevey led Torricelli among likely primary voters 35 percent to 31 percent, signaling another bitter primary fight. In response, Newark mayor Sharpe James and other Essex County leaders, including state senator Richard Codey, endorsed McGreevey. At the news conference announcing their endorsements, McGreevey swiped at Torricelli, "The Democratic Party is greater than any individual's political ambitions."[7]
On July 31, Torricelli ended his campaign for the nomination, saying that he had been "humbled" by his failure to generate grassroots support and "naive" for believing that "people would put their own interests aside to work toward the goal of something larger."[7] Although party chair Thomas Giblin praised his decision to back out rather than fracture the party, Torricelli declined to immediately endorse McGreevey, instead citing his colleagues Frank Pallone and Bill Pascrell as potential nominees.[7]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim McGreevey | 250,404 | 95.54% | |
| Democratic | Elliot Greenspan | 11,682 | 4.46% | |
| Total votes | 262,086 | 100.00% | ||
Aftermath
Rutgers University political science professor Cliff Zukin observed that Torricelli's decision to enter the race and abruptly withdraw damaged his standing within the state party and his ambitions for the presidency.[7] Ultimately, Torricelli ended his political career in 2002 under the cloud of his campaign finance scandal, when he dropped out of his bid for re-election to the Senate trailing in the general election polls.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Bob Franks, former U.S. representative from Summit and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2000
- Bret Schundler, mayor of Jersey City
Withdrew
- Donald DiFrancesco, president of the New Jersey Senate and acting governor[a]
Declined
- Jack Collins, speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996
- William E. Schluter, state senator from Pennington[9] (ran as independent)
- In 2006, DiFrancesco was retroactively named the 51st Governor of New Jersey by an act of the legislature, but at the time of this election, his title was Acting Governor.
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Donald DiFrancesco |
Bob Franks |
Bret Schundler |
Other/ Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac[10] | November 28–December 4, 2000 | 372 RV | ±5.1% | 10% | 45% | 9% | 37% |
| Quinnipiac[11] | January 30–February 5, 2001 | 310 RV | ±5.6% | 45% | – | 16% | 39% |
| Quinnipiac[12] | February 28–March 4, 2001 | 347 RV | ±5.3% | 46% | – | 24% | 29% |
| Quinnipiac[13] | April 3–9, 2001 | 357 RV | ±5.2% | 39% | – | 27% | 34% |
| Quinnipiac[14] | May 1–8, 2001 | 331 RV | ±5.4% | – | 46% | 24% | 30% |
| Quinnipiac[15] | June 14–18, 2001 | 415 LV | ±4.8% | – | 39% | 54% | 8% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bret Schundler | 193,342 | 57.38% | |
| Republican | Bob Franks | 143,606 | 42.62% | |
| Total votes | 336,948 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Candidates
- Jerry Coleman (Green)[16][17]
- Mark Edgerton (Libertarian)[16]
- Michael Koontz (Conservative)[16]
- James McGreevey, former mayor of Woodbridge, State Senator, and nominee for Governor in 1997 (Democratic)[16]
- Costantino Rozzo (Socialist)[16]
- Kari Sachs (Socialist Workers)[16]
- William E. Schluter, state senator from Pennington (Independent)[16]
- Bret Schundler, mayor of Jersey City (Republican)[16]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jim McGreevey (D) |
Bret Schundler (R) |
Bill Schluter (I) |
Other/ Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac[10] | November 28–December 4, 2000 | 1,261 RV | ±2.8% | 40% | 24% | — | 36% |
| Rutgers-Eagleton[18][not specific enough to verify] | January 24–30, 2001 | 649 RV | ±4.0% | 43% | 19% | — | 37% |
| Quinnipiac[11] | January 30–February 5, 2001 | 1,156 RV | ±2.9% | 46% | 22% | — | 36% |
| Quinnipiac[12] | February 28–March 4, 2001 | 1,129 RV | ±2.9% | 45% | 31% | — | 24% |
| Quinnipiac[13] | April 3–9, 2001 | 1,145 RV | ±2.9% | 43% | 27% | — | 30% |
| Rutgers-Eagleton[18][not specific enough to verify] | April 11–17, 2001 | 632 RV | ±4.0% | 46% | 22% | — | 32% |
| Quinnipiac[14] | May 1–8, 2001 | 1,181 RV | ±2.9% | 48% | 27% | — | 25% |
| Quinnipiac[19] | June 27–July 1, 2001 | 851 RV | ±3.4% | 48% | 35% | — | 17% |
| Quinnipiac[20] | July 29–August 5, 2001 | 1,235 RV | ±2.8% | 49% | 30% | — | 21% |
| Rutgers-Eagleton[18][not specific enough to verify] | August 15–21, 2001 | 395 LV | ±5.0% | 54% | 33% | — | 14% |
| 48% | 29% | 4% | 20% | ||||
| Quinnipiac[21] | September 19–24, 2001 | 1,406 RV | ±2.6% | 44% | 30% | — | 27% |
| Rutgers-Eagleton[18][not specific enough to verify] | September 22–26, 2001 | 424 LV | ±4.0% | 46% | 31% | — | 24% |
| Rutgers-Eagleton[18][not specific enough to verify] | October 13–17, 2001 | 449 LV | ±4.7% | 45% | 33% | — | 22% |
| Quinnipiac[22] | October 10–15, 2001 | 742 LV | ±3.6% | 49% | 39% | — | 12% |
| 1,140 RV | ±2.9% | 49% | 35% | — | 15% | ||
| Quinnipiac[23] | October 23–28, 2001 | 746 LV | ±3.7% | 52% | 35% | — | 12% |
| Rutgers-Eagleton[18][not specific enough to verify] | October 30–November 2, 2001 | 746 LV | ±3.7% | 53% | 36% | — | 11% |
| Quinnipiac[24] | October 29–November 4, 2001 | 505 LV | ±4.4% | 48% | 39% | — | 13% |
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
PV – "probable" voters
- with Donald DiFrancesco
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Jim McGreevey (D) |
Donald DiFrancesco (R) |
Other/ Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac[10] | November 28–December 4, 2000 | 1,261 RV | ±2.8% | 41% | 26% | 34% |
| Rutgers-Eagleton[18][not specific enough to verify] | January 24–30, 2001 | 649 LV | ±4.0% | 39% | 26% | 35% |
| Quinnipiac[11] | January 30–February 5, 2001 | 1,156 RV | ±2.9% | 40% | 32% | 28% |
| Quinnipiac[12] | February 28–March 4, 2001 | 1,129 RV | ±2.9% | 41% | 37% | 22% |
| Quinnipiac[13] | February 28–March 4, 2001 | 1,145 RV | ±2.9% | 42% | 33% | 24% |
| Rutgers-Eagleton[18][not specific enough to verify] | April 11–17, 2001 | 632 LV | ±4.0% | 44% | 26% | 30% |
- with Bob Franks
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Jim McGreevey (D) |
Bob Franks (R) |
Other/ Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac[10] | November 28–December 4, 2000 | 1,261 RV | ±2.8% | 38% | 35% | 28% |
| Quinnipiac[14] | May 1–8, 2001 | 1,181 RV | ±2.9% | 44% | 35% | 21% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim McGreevey | 1,256,853 | 56.43% | +10.61% | |
| Republican | Bret Schundler | 928,174 | 41.68% | −5.19% | |
| Independent | Bill Schluter | 24,084 | 1.08% | N/A | |
| Green | Jerry L. Coleman | 6,238 | 0.28% | −0.16% | |
| Libertarian | Mark Edgerton | 4,684 | 0.21% | −4.51% | |
| Independent | George Watson, Jr. | 2,568 | 0.12% | N/A | |
| Conservative | Michael W. Koontz | 1,949 | 0.09% | −1.35% | |
| Socialist | Costantino Rozzo | 1,537 | 0.07% | −0.05% | |
| Socialist Workers | Kari Sachs | 1,078 | 0.05% | −0.07% | |
| Majority | 328,679 | 14.75% | +15.80% | ||
| Turnout | 2,227,165 | ||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | Swing | ||||
Results by county
| County | McGreevey votes | McGreevey % | Schundler votes | Schundler % | Other votes | Other % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | 38,623 | 57.5% | 27,547 | 41.0% | 995 | 1.5% |
| Bergen | 140,215 | 55.1% | 111,221 | 43.7% | 3,106 | 1.2% |
| Burlington | 62,697 | 55.4% | 48,098 | 42.5% | 2,437 | 2.2% |
| Camden | 78,169 | 64.6% | 40,063 | 33.1% | 2,728 | 2.3% |
| Cape May | 17,118 | 48.5% | 17,471 | 49.5% | 735 | 2.1% |
| Cumberland | 19,445 | 57.7% | 13,583 | 40.3% | 668 | 2.0% |
| Essex | 129,406 | 71.9% | 48,540 | 27.0% | 2,083 | 1.2% |
| Gloucester | 41,083 | 58.1% | 28,210 | 39.9% | 1,392 | 2.0% |
| Hudson | 85,074 | 68.8% | 37,440 | 30.3% | 1,224 | 1.0% |
| Hunterdon | 13,911 | 35.3% | 23,059 | 58.4% | 2,484 | 6.3% |
| Mercer | 57,513 | 60.9% | 31,705 | 33.6% | 5,148 | 5.5% |
| Middlesex | 117,061 | 62.7% | 66,749 | 35.7% | 2,999 | 1.6% |
| Monmouth | 91,838 | 49.5% | 89,987 | 48.5% | 3,647 | 2.0% |
| Morris | 60,948 | 42.8% | 79,350 | 55.8% | 1,942 | 1.4% |
| Ocean | 84,538 | 51.2% | 77,726 | 47.1% | 2,690 | 1.6% |
| Passaic | 62,390 | 58.1% | 43,806 | 40.8% | 1,238 | 1.2% |
| Salem | 10,837 | 53.5% | 8,878 | 43.8% | 540 | 2.7% |
| Somerset | 39,110 | 45.6% | 44,815 | 52.2% | 1,903 | 2.2% |
| Sussex | 14,641 | 37.5% | 23,478 | 60.1% | 957 | 2.4% |
| Union | 79,682 | 60.3% | 50,780 | 38.4% | 1,790 | 1.4% |
| Warren | 12,554 | 42.3% | 15,668 | 52.8% | 1,432 | 4.8% |
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Atlantic (largest municipality: Egg Harbor Township)
- Bergen (largest municipality: Hackensack)
- Monmouth (largest municipality: Middletown Township)
- Ocean (largest municipality: Lakewood)
- Salem (largest municipality: Pennsville Township)
