2002 United States Senate election in New Jersey
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The 2002 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 5, 2002. Former U.S. senator Frank Lautenberg was elected to an open seat over Republican businessman Doug Forrester, after incumbent senator Robert Torricelli dropped out of the race on September 30, facing ethical misconduct allegations, a formal admonishment by the U.S. Senate, and falling poll numbers against Forrester. Primary elections were held on June 4. Torricelli was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, while Forrester won a competitive Republican primary over state senators Diane Allen and John Matheussen. Another leading candidate, Essex County Executive James W. Treffinger, dropped out on April 22 amid a federal criminal investigation for bribery.
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November 5, 2002
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| Turnout | 46%[1] ( 26pp) | ||||||||||||||||
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  Lautenberg: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Forrester: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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In the general election, Torricelli, who was the target of a federal ethics probe, steadily fell behind Forrester in public polling and dropped out in late September. The New Jersey Democratic Party sought to replace him with Frank Lautenberg, who had held the state's other U.S. Senate seat from 1982 to 2001. After Forrester's campaign filed legal proceedings aimed at forcing Torricelli's name to remain on the ballot, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that Lautenberg could replace Torricelli.
On election day, Lautenberg defeated Forrester by a 9.9% margin, winning a fourth, non-consecutive term as a U.S. senator. At 78, Lautenberg became the oldest non-incumbent to win a Senate election.[2] Lautenberg became the state's junior senator for the second time when he was sworn in on January 3, 2003. Jon Corzine, who had been elected to Lautenberg's old Senate seat in 2000, became the senior senator, as Lautenberg's previous term in the Senate was not counted for purposes of seniority.
As of 2026, this is the last time where the replacement of a major-party nominee in a Senate race went on to win the general election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Robert Torricelli, incumbent U.S. senator
Although Torricelli would later withdraw from the race, he was unopposed for the Democratic nomination on June 4.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Diane Allen, state senator from Moorestown
- Doug Forrester, businessman and former mayor of West Windsor (1981–1982)
- John J. Matheussen, state senator from Mantua
Withdrew
- Guy Gregg, State Assemblyman from Washington Township (Morris County)[3] (withdrew April 8; endorsed Treffinger)[4]
- Robert W. Ray, former Whitewater controversy special counsel (withdrew April 8)[4]
- James Treffinger, Essex County Executive and candidate for Senate in 2000[5] (withdrew April 22)[6]
Declined
- Lewis Eisenberg, former chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey[5]
- Steve Forbes, publisher of Forbes magazine and candidate for president in 1996 and 2000[5]
- Thomas Kean, former governor of New Jersey (1982–90)[5]
Campaign
Many Republicans were eager to take on Torricelli, who was the subject of a federal investigation into his fundraising practices in his 1996 election.
James W. Treffinger became the first candidate to officially announce his campaign in November 2001, shortly after the state elections which ended a decade of Republican rule. Much speculation at the time revolved around popular former Governor Thomas Kean, whom party chair Joe Kyrillos referred to as a "star player."[5]
At the April 8 filing deadline, the two trailing candidates, Assemblyman Guy Gregg and attorney Robert Ray, dropped out of the race. Gregg endorsed Treffinger, who seemingly became the front-runner for the nomination.[4] However, Treffinger's campaign collapsed less than two weeks later, when his office was raided by federal agents as part of an investigation into his acceptance of campaign contributions in exchange for public contracts. Many state and national Republicans withdrew their support from Treffinger. Four days after the raid, he withdrew from the race.[6][7]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Doug Forrester | 97,275 | 44.56% | |
| Republican | Diane Allen | 80,476 | 36.87% | |
| Republican | John J. Matheussen | 40,549 | 18.58% | |
| Total votes | 218,300 | 100.00% | ||
Aftermath
Treffinger was arrested in October and indicted by U.S. Attorney Chris Christie on twenty counts of extortion, fraud, obstructing a federal investigation, and conspiracy.[9] He pleaded guilty in May 2003 to one count of obstruction and one count of mail fraud.[10][11]
General election
Candidates
- Doug Forrester, businessman and former mayor of West Windsor (Republican)
- Ted Glick (Green)
- Frank Lautenberg, former U.S. senator (1982–2001) (Democratic)
- Elizabeth Macron (Libertarian)
- Greg Pason, national secretary of the Socialist Party USA and perennial candidate (Socialist)
- Norman E. Wahner (Conservative)
Withdrew
- Robert Torricelli, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1997 (Democratic)
Campaign
On July 30, the Senate Ethics Committee issued a letter which "severely admonished" Torricelli for failing to disclose gifts he received and accepted from a donor.[12] In late September, evidence was revealed about the relationship between Toricelli and the donor, and the donor was interviewed on WNBC in a segment dubbed "The Prisoner and the Politician".[13] Torricelli dropped out of the race on September 30 due to ethical problems and poor poll numbers against Forrester, a relatively unknown opponent.[14] Various candidates were sought after to replace Toricelli, including former U.S. senator Bill Bradley, Congressman Bob Menendez and Congressman Frank Pallone.[13] The New Jersey Democratic Party eventually chose former U.S. senator Frank Lautenberg as the party's candidate. In the case of The New Jersey Democratic Party v. Samson, 175 N.J. 178 (2002), Forrester sued to stop Democratic Party efforts to have Lautenberg replace Torricelli. The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled unanimously on October 2 that the party could switch Lautenberg's name in for Sen. Torricelli's on the ballot.[15] Forrester received the endorsement of President George W. Bush.[16]
- Complete video of debate, September 5, 2002
- Complete video of debate, September 12, 2002
- Complete video of debate, October 30, 2002
- Complete video of debate, November 2, 2002
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[17] | Lean D | November 4, 2002 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Bob Torricelli (D) |
Doug Forrester (R) |
Other / Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac[18] | January 22–28, 2002 | 1,018 RV | ±3.1% | 50% | 26% | 22% |
| Quinnipiac[19][20] | February 28–March 4, 2002 | 1,005 RV | ±3.1% | 53% | 26% | 21% |
| Quinnipiac[21] | April 17–22, 2002 | 837 RV | ±3.4% | 47% | 29% | 24% |
| Rutgers-Eagleton[22][not specific enough to verify] | June 5–9, 2002 | 626 RV | ±4.0% | 43% | 29% | 21% |
| Quinnipiac[23][24] | June 11–17, 2002 | 736 RV | ±3.6% | 44% | 36% | 21% |
| Quinnipiac[25][24] | July 31–August 6, 2002 | 879 RV | ±3.3% | 37% | 37% | 28% |
| Torricelli internal[24] | August 2002 | ? LV | ? | 40% | 40% | 20% |
| Forrester internal[24] | August 19, 2002 | ? LV | ? | 35% | 47% | 18% |
| SurveyUSA[24] | August 21, 2002 | 978 RV | ±3.3% | 37% | 48% | 15% |
| Rutgers-Eagleton[22][not specific enough to verify] | September 3–8, 2002 | 537 LV | ±4.0% | 37% | 33% | 30% |
| Quinnipiac[26][24] | September 3–10, 2002 | 1,341 LV | ±2.7% | 45% | 41% | 14% |
| 861 LV | ±3.3% | 44% | 48% | 9% | ||
| Rutgers-Eagleton[22][not specific enough to verify] | September 18–25, 2002 | 547 RV | 34% | 41% | 26% | |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Frank Lautenberg (D) |
Doug Forrester (R) |
Other / Undecided |
| Quinnipiac[27] | October 2–6, 2002 | 514 LV | 4.3% | 49% | 45% | 6% |
| Rutgers-Eagleton[22][not specific enough to verify] | October 3–6, 2002 | 801 A | ±4.0% | 46% | 40% | 14% |
| 530 LV | ±4.5% | 44% | 44% | 12% | ||
| Rutgers-Eagleton[22][not specific enough to verify] | October 13–17, 2002 | 793 RV | ±3.5% | 44% | 35% | 22% |
| Quinnipiac[28][29] | October 16–20, 2002 | 603 LV | ±4.0% | 52% | 43% | 4% |
| NYT–CBS News[30] | October 19–24, 2002 | 772 RV | ±? | 46% | 39% | 21%[b] |
| SurveyUSA[31] | October 27–29, 2002 | 732 LV | ±3.7% | 51% | 41% | 8% |
| Rutgers-Eagleton[22][not specific enough to verify] | October 27–31, 2002 | 909 RV | ±3.5% | 51% | 34% | 14% |
| 458 LV | ±3.5% | 52% | 40% | 8% | ||
| Quinnipiac[32] | October 28–November 3, 2002 | 574 LV | ±4.1% | 50% | 39% | 11% |
| Research 2000/The Record[33] | November 1–2, 2002 | 600 LV | ±4.0% | 51% | 42% | 8% |
with Diane Allen
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Torricelli (D) |
Diane Allen (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac[19][20] | February 28–March 4, 2002 | 1,005 RV | ±3.1% | 49% | 30% | 20% |
| Quinnipiac[21] | April 17–22, 2002 | 837 RV | ±3.4% | 44% | 32% | 24% |
with Guy Gregg
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Torricelli (D) |
Guy Gregg (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac[18] | January 22–28, 2002 | 1,018 RV | ±3.1% | 51% | 25% | 24% |
| Quinnipiac[19][20] | February 28–March 4, 2002 | 1,005 RV | ±3.1% | 52% | 26% | 21% |
with John Matheussen
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Torricelli (D) |
John Matheussen (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac[19][20] | February 28–March 4, 2002 | 1,005 RV | ±3.1% | 52% | 28% | 20% |
| Quinnipiac[21] | April 17–22, 2002 | 837 RV | ±3.4% | 46% | 31% | 23% |
with Robert Ray
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Torricelli (D) |
Robert Ray (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac[19][20] | February 28–March 4, 2002 | 1,005 RV | ±3.1% | 53% | 28% | 20% |
with James Treffinger
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Torricelli (D) |
James Treffinger (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinnipiac[18] | January 22–28, 2002 | 1,018 RV | ±3.1% | 49% | 28% | 23% |
| Quinnipiac[19][20] | February 28–March 4, 2002 | 1,005 RV | ±3.1% | 51% | 27% | 21% |
| Quinnipiac[21] | April 17–22, 2002 | 837 RV | ±3.4% | 45% | 29% | 26% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Frank Lautenberg | 1,138,193 | 53.88% | +0.76% | |
| Republican | Doug Forrester | 928,439 | 43.95% | +1.02% | |
| Green | Ted Glick | 24,308 | 1.15% | N/A | |
| Libertarian | Elizabeth Macron | 12,558 | 0.59% | N/A | |
| Conservative | Norman E. Wahner | 6,404 | 0.30% | N/A | |
| Socialist | Greg Pason | 2,702 | 0.13% | N/A | |
| Total votes | 2,112,604 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
By county
| County[35] | Frank Lautenberg December |
Doug Forrester Republican |
Various candidates Other parties |
Margin | Total votes cast | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | ||
| Atlantic | 33,277 | 53.85% | 27,236 | 44.07% | 1,288 | 2.08% | 6,041 | 9.78% | 61,801 |
| Bergen | 139,241 | 54.81% | 110,272 | 43.40% | 4,547 | 1.79% | 28,969 | 11.41% | 254,060 |
| Burlington | 61,476 | 51.71% | 54,846 | 46.13% | 2,563 | 2.16% | 6,630 | 5.58% | 118,885 |
| Camden | 77,640 | 63.21% | 41,628 | 33.89% | 3,564 | 2.90% | 36,012 | 29.32% | 122,832 |
| Cape May | 14,760 | 44.59% | 17,751 | 53.63% | 587 | 1.77% | -2,991 | -9.04% | 33,098 |
| Cumberland | 17,020 | 54.64% | 13,189 | 42.34% | 943 | 3.03% | 3,831 | 12.30% | 31,152 |
| Essex | 114,624 | 71.09% | 44,072 | 27.33% | 2,541 | 1.58% | 70,552 | 43.76% | 161,237 |
| Gloucester | 41,009 | 55.47% | 31,140 | 42.12% | 1,776 | 2.40% | 9,869 | 13.35% | 73,925 |
| Hudson | 74,127 | 72.76% | 25,194 | 24.73% | 2,560 | 2.51% | 48,933 | 48.03% | 101,881 |
| Hunterdon | 13,890 | 34.57% | 25,124 | 62.53% | 1,163 | 2.90% | -11,234 | -27.96% | 40,177 |
| Mercer | 53,675 | 57.59% | 37,195 | 39.91% | 2,338 | 2.51% | 16,480 | 17.68% | 93,208 |
| Middlesex | 98,019 | 58.64% | 65,128 | 38.96% | 4,009 | 2.40% | 32,891 | 19.68% | 167,156 |
| Monmouth | 79,730 | 46.24% | 88,424 | 51.28% | 4,278 | 2.48% | -8,694 | -5.04% | 172,432 |
| Morris | 55,592 | 40.29% | 79,984 | 57.97% | 2,406 | 1.74% | -29,640 | -17.68% | 137,982 |
| Ocean | 69,328 | 45.24% | 80,592 | 52.59% | 3,315 | 2.16% | -11,264 | -7.35% | 153,235 |
| Passaic | 53,275 | 56.14% | 39,822 | 41.96% | 1,806 | 1.90% | 13,453 | 14.18% | 94,903 |
| Salem | 10,232 | 50.47% | 9,487 | 46.79% | 556 | 2.74% | 745 | 3.68% | 20,275 |
| Somerset | 36,476 | 43.42% | 45,590 | 54.26% | 1,951 | 2.32% | -9,114 | -10.84% | 84,017 |
| Sussex | 13,673 | 34.34% | 25,099 | 63.04% | 1,045 | 2.62% | -11,426 | -28.70% | 39,817 |
| Union | 70,085 | 57.73% | 49,243 | 40.56% | 2,074 | 1.71% | 20,842 | 17.17% | 121,402 |
| Warren | 11,044 | 36.16% | 17,423 | 57.05% | 2,074 | 6.79% | -6,379 | -20.89% | 30,541 |
| Totals | 1,138,193 | 53.88% | 928,439 | 43.95% | 45,972 | 2.17% | 209,754 | 9.93% | 2,112,604 |
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Salem (largest municipality: Pennsville Township)
