2003 New Jersey Senate election

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The 2003 New Jersey Senate election was held on November 4.

Quick facts All 40 seats in the New Jersey State Senate 21 seats needed for a majority, Turnout ...
2003 New Jersey Senate elections
← 2001
November 4, 2003
2007 →
All 40 seats in the New Jersey State Senate
21 seats needed for a majority
Turnout34%[1] (Decrease 15pp)
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Richard Codey John O. Bennett
(lost re-election)
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since January 12, 1998 January 11, 1994
Leader's seat 27th (West Orange) 12th (Marlboro)
Last election 20 20
Seats won 22 18
Seat change Increase 2 Decrease 2
Results by district
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     Republican hold
Senate President before election

John O. Bennett and Richard Codey

 Elected Senate President

Richard Codey
Democratic

Close

The election took midway through Jim McGreevey's term as Governor of New Jersey. The election ended two years of split control in favor of the Democratic Party, which regained a majority for the first time since 1991. Incumbent Senate co-president John O. Bennett was unseated for re-election by Ellen Karcher in the 12th district, and Democrats also flipped a seat in the 4th.

The Democrats continue to hold the majority in the Senate as of 2026.

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

Incumbents not running for re-election

Democratic

  • Joseph Suliga (District 22) (withdrew to enter rehabilitation for alcoholism)

Republican

Additionally, Senators John J. Matheussen, Richard Bagger, and Garry Furnari, who were elected in 2001, resigned before their terms were completed. The interim appointees for each of their seats ran as incumbents.

Predictions

More information Source, Ranking ...
Source Ranking As of
The Cook
Political Report[2] 		Tossup October 4, 2002
Close

Summary of results by State Senate district

More information District, Incumbent ...
District Incumbent Party Elected Senator Party
1st Legislative District James Cafiero Rep Nicholas Asselta Rep
2nd Legislative District William Gormley Rep William Gormley Rep
3rd Legislative District Steve Sweeney Dem Steve Sweeney Dem
4th Legislative District George Geist[a] Rep Fred Madden Dem
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 Ellen Karcher Dem
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 Bob Smith Dem Bob Smith Dem
18th Legislative District Barbara Buono Dem Barbara Buono Dem
19th Legislative District Joe Vitale Dem Joe Vitale Dem
20th Legislative District Raymond Lesniak Dem Raymond Lesniak Dem
21st Legislative District Tom Kean Jr.[b] Rep Tom Kean Jr. Rep
22nd Legislative District Joseph Suliga Dem Nicholas Scutari Dem
23rd Legislative District Leonard Lance 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 Dem Sharpe James Dem
30th Legislative District Robert W. Singer Rep Robert W. Singer Rep
31st Legislative District L. Harvey Smith[c] Dem Glenn Cunningham Dem
32nd Legislative District Nicholas Sacco Dem Nicholas Sacco Dem
33rd Legislative District Bernard Kenny Dem Bernard Kenny Dem
34th Legislative District Nia Gill Dem Nia Gill Dem
35th Legislative District John Girgenti Dem John Girgenti Dem
36th Legislative District Paul Sarlo[d] Dem Paul Sarlo Dem
37th Legislative District Byron Baer Dem Byron Baer Dem
38th Legislative District Joseph Coniglio Dem Joseph Coniglio Dem
39th Legislative District Gerald Cardinale Rep Gerald Cardinale Rep
40th Legislative District Henry McNamara Rep Henry McNamara Rep
Close
  1. [a]
    Geist was appointed to the seat after Senator John Matheussen resigned to become head of the Delaware River Port Authority.
  2. [b]
    Kean was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Senator Richard Bagger, who resigned to pursue private business interests.
  3. [c]
    Smith was appointed to the seat after the resignation of Senator Joseph Charles on August 13.
  4. [d]
    Sarlo was appointed to the seat after Senator Garry Furnari resigned to join the New Jersey Superior Court.

Close races

  1. District 4, 0.16% gain
  2. District 3, 8.1%
  3. District 36, 9.07%
  4. District 12, 9.92% gain

District 1

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nicholas Asselta 31,112 80.9% Increase 30.5
HealthCare For All Steven Fenichel 5,986 15.6% N/A
English Language Only George Cecola 1,341 3.5% N/A
Total votes 38,439 100.0%
Close

District 2

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican William Gormley (incumbent) 24,680 60.0% Decrease 26.5
Democratic Tom Swift 15,281 37.1% N/A
Green Robert "Gabe" Gabrielsky 1,174 2.9% Decrease 10.6
Total votes 41,135 100.0%
Close

District 3

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Stephen M. Sweeney (incumbent) 29,051 54.0% Increase 2.5
Republican Phillip S. Rhudy 24,698 46.0% Decrease 2.5
Total votes 53,749 100.0%
Close

District 4

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Fred H. Madden 20,752 50.08% Increase 8.3
Republican George Geist (incumbent) 20,689 49.92% Decrease 8.3
Total votes 41,441 100.0%
Close

District 5

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Wayne R. Bryant (incumbent) 21,442 64.9% Decrease 4.4
Republican Ali Sloan El 11,589 35.1% Increase 4.4
Total votes 33,031 100.0%
Close

District 6

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Adler (incumbent) 29,033 61.0% Decrease 5.7
Republican Joseph A. Adolf 18,534 39.0% Increase 5.7
Total votes 47,567 100.0%
Close

District 7

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Diane Allen (incumbent) 26,341 60.3 Increase 6.2
Democratic Diane F. Gabriel 17,331 39.7 Decrease 6.2
Total votes '43,672' '100.0'
Close

District 8

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Martha W. Bark (incumbent) 28,047 66.9% Increase 6.2
Democratic Thomas J. Price 13,865 33.1% Decrease 6.2
Total votes '41,912' '100.0'
Close

District 9

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Leonard T. Connors (incumbent) 36,539 65.6% Increase 6.9
Democratic Aviva Twersky-Glasner 18,995 34.4% Decrease 6.1
Total votes '55,534' '100.0'
Close

District 10

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Andrew R. Ciesla (incumbent) 29,752 65.1% Increase 8.3
Democratic James M. Blaney 15,960 34.9% Decrease 8.3
Total votes '45,712' '100.0'
Close

District 11

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Joseph A. Palaia 23,643 58.7% Decrease 3.3
Democratic Paul X. Escandon 11,045 27.4% Decrease 10.6
Green Brian Unger 4,759 11.8% N/A
Libertarian Emerson Ellett 831 2.1% N/A
Total votes '40,278' '100.0'
Close

District 12

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ellen Karcher 24,174 52.4% Increase 11.2
Republican John O. Bennett (incumbent) 19,600 42.5% Decrease 16.3
Green Earl Gray 2,334 5.1% N/A
Total votes 46,108 100.0%
Close

District 13

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Joe Kyrillos (incumbent) 23,459 54.1% Decrease 10.3
Democratic William E. Flynn 17,828 41.1% Increase 5.5
Green Greg Orr 1,419 3.3% N/A
Conservative Mac Dara Lyden 649 1.5% N/A
Total votes 43,355 100.0%
Close

District 14

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Peter Inverso (incumbent) 29,499 58.6% Increase 6.5
Democratic Anthony J. "Skip" Cimino 19,613 38.9% Decrease 9.0
Libertarian Ray Cragle 1,249 2.5% N/A
Total votes 50,361 100.0%
Close

District 15

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Shirley Turner (incumbent) 24,053 67.4% Decrease 1.7
Republican Calvin O. Iszard 11,638 32.6% Increase 2.9
Total votes 35,691 100.0%
Close

District 16

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Walter J. Kavanaugh (incumbent) 28,843 100.0% Increase 33.4
Total votes 28,843 100.0%
Close

District 17

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Smith (incumbent) 17,438 61.0% Decrease 7.9
Republican Jeffrey M. Orbach 11,168 39.0% Increase 7.9
Total votes 28,606 100.0%
Close

District 18

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Barbara Buono (incumbent) 18,561 58.5% Decrease 6.5
Republican Richard F. Plechner 13,175 41.5% Increase 6.5
Total votes 31,736 100.0%
Close

District 19

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Vitale (incumbent) 22,643 65.5% Decrease 11.9
Republican Paul Danielczyk 11,949 34.5% Increase 11.9
Total votes 34,592 100.0%
Close

District 20

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Raymond Lesniak (incumbent) 12,361 62.2% Decrease 17.8
Republican Daniel M. Nozza 7,217 36.3% Increase 16.3
Restore NJ State Shawn P. Gianella 298 1.5% N/A
Total votes 19,876 100.0%
Close

District 21

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Tom Kean Jr. (incumbent) 32,058 67.4% Increase 8.8
Democratic Francis D. McIntyre 14,470 30.4% Decrease 11.0
Green Teresa Migliore-DiMatteo 1,055 2.2% N/A
Total votes 47,583 100.0%
Close

District 22

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Nicholas Scutari 16,658 55.0% Decrease 4.1
Republican Martin Marks 13,609 45.0% Increase 4.1
Total votes 30,267 100.0%
Close

District 23

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Leonard Lance (incumbent) 29,775 68.0% Decrease 1.3
Democratic Frederick P. Cook 13,994 32.0% Increase 1.3
Total votes 43,769 100.0%
Close

District 24

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert E. Littell (incumbent) 23,106 68.1% Decrease 6.3
Democratic James D. Morrison 10,810 31.9% Increase 6.3
Total votes 33,916 100.0%
Close

District 25

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Anthony R. Bucco (incumbent) 22,163 55.1% Decrease 10.4
Democratic Blair B. MacInnes 18,060 44.9% Increase 10.4
Total votes 40,223 100.0%
Close

District 26

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert J. Martin (incumbent) 21,733 66.0 Increase 0.1
Democratic Daniel L. Grant 11,216 34.0 Decrease 0.1
Total votes '32,949' '100.0'
Close

District 27

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Richard Codey (incumbent) 17,220 65.8% Increase 1.1
Republican Bobbi Joan Bennett 8,958 34.2% Increase 1.4
Total votes 26,178 100.0%
Close

District 28

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ronald Rice (incumbent) 10,068 73.4% Increase 4.0
Republican Jean LaMothe 3,137 22.9% Decrease 6.7
Green Beresford Jones 518 3.8% N/A
Total votes 13,723 100.0%
Close

District 29

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Sharpe James (incumbent) 7,919 82.7% Decrease 17.3
Green Toy-Ling Washington 1,187 12.4% N/A
Socialist Workers Abigail D. Tilsner 470 4.9% N/A
Total votes 9,576 100.0%
Close

District 30

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert W. Singer (incumbent) 24,637 62.6% Increase 0.9
Democratic Steven Morlino 14,713 37.4% Decrease 0.9
Total votes 39,350 100.0
Close

District 31

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Glenn Cunningham 15,838 79.0% Increase 4.9
Republican Carmen E. Mendiola 3,214 16.0% Decrease 9.9
Green Eric Olsen 1,005 5.0% N/A
Total votes 20,057 100.0%
Close

District 32

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Nicholas Sacco (incumbent) 17,269 76.9% Increase 7.9
Republican Louis S. Lusquinos Jr 4,085 18.2% Decrease 11.2
Time For Change Denis Jaslow 928 4.1% N/A
Eliminate Primary Elections Louis Vernotico 160 0.7% Increase 0.2
Total votes 22,442 100.0%
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District 33

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bernard Kenny (incumbent) 20,809 80.9% Increase 5.6
Republican Rafael Fraguela 4,904 19.1% Decrease 5.6
Total votes 25,713 100.0%
Close

District 34

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Nia Gill (incumbent) 19,161 69.7% Increase 4.8
Republican Frank C. Fusco 8,325 30.3% Decrease 4.1
Total votes 27,486 100.0%
Close

District 35

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Girgenti (incumbent) 16,243 68.6% Decrease 31.4
Republican David R. Troast 7,434 31.4% N/A
Total votes 23,677 100.0%
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District 36

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul Sarlo (incumbent) 18,035 53.3% Increase 2.5
Republican John V. Kelly 14,964 44.2% Decrease 3.6
Tax the Rich Richard DelaRosa 496 1.5% N/A
Real Pro-Choice Maximo Moscoso 348 1.0% N/A
Total votes 33,843 100.0%
Close

District 37

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Byron Baer (incumbent) 22,543 61.9% Decrease 4.5
Republican Barry S. Honig 13,860 38.1% Increase 4.5
Total votes 36,403 100.0%
Close

District 38

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joseph Coniglio (incumbent) 23,077 55.7% Increase 2.5
Republican Rose Marie Heck 18,321 44.3% Decrease 2.5
Total votes 41,398 100.0%
Close

District 39

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Gerald Cardinale (incumbent) 30,718 62.3% Decrease 0.6
Democratic Richard Muti 18,605 37.7% Increase 1.5
Total votes 49,323 100.0%
Close

District 40

More information Party, Candidate ...
New Jersey general election, 2003[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Henry McNamara (incumbent) 24,478 64.5% Increase 2.2
Democratic Matt Rogers 13,493 35.5% Decrease 2.2
Total votes 37,971 100.0%
Close

See also

References

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