1977 New Jersey Senate election

Last updated

1977 New Jersey State Senate elections
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1973 November 8, 1977 1981  

All 40 seats in the New Jersey State Senate
21 seats needed for a majority
 Majority partyMinority partyThird party
  MattyFeldman.jpg 3x4.svg
Leader Matthew Feldman James Cafiero
Party Democratic Republican Independent
Leader's seat 37th 1st
Last election29101
Seats before28101
Seats won27130
Seat changeDecrease2.svg 1Increase2.svg 3Decrease2.svg 1

1977 New Jersey State Senate election.svg
Results by district
     Democratic hold     Democratic gain
     Republican hold     Republican gain

Senate President before election

Matthew Feldman
Democratic

Elected Senate President

Joseph P. Merlino
Democratic

The 1977 New Jersey Senate election coincided with Brendan Byrne's re-election to a second term as Governor of New Jersey.

Contents

The election coincided with Governor Brendan Byrne's re-election over Senator Raymond Bateman. Byrne narrowly survived a primary election that eliminated seven incumbent Democratic Senators. Despite the intra-party division and early polls indicating Byrne was an underdog in the general election, Byrne survived and the Democrats preserved their large majority in the Senate, with Republicans only gaining three seats. [1] This is the last time Democrats held a veto-proof majority in the chamber.

Democrats chose Joseph P. Merlino as the Senate President and Carmen Orechio as Majority Leader; Republicans named Garrett Hagedorn as Minority Leader. [2]

Contents
Incumbents not runningSummary of results
By District: 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940

Incumbents not running for re-election

Democratic

Republican

Summary of results by district

District Incumbent PartyElected SenatorParty
1st Legislative District James Cafiero RepJames CafieroRep
2nd Legislative District Joseph McGahn Dem Steven P. Perskie Dem
3rd Legislative District Raymond Zane DemRaymond ZaneDem
4th Legislative District Joseph A. Maressa DemJoseph A. MaressaDem
5th Legislative District Angelo Errichetti [a] DemAngelo ErrichettiDem
6th Legislative District Alene Ammond Dem Lee B. Laskin Rep
7th Legislative District Edward J. Hughes Dem Charles B. Yates Dem
8th Legislative District Barry T. Parker RepBarry T. ParkerRep
9th Legislative District John F. Russo DemJohn F. RussoDem
10th Legislative District Herbert J. Buehler Dem Brian T. Kennedy Rep
11th Legislative District Alfred N. Beadleston Rep S. Thomas Gagliano Rep
12th Legislative District Eugene J. Bedell DemEugene J. BedellDem
13th Legislative District Joseph P. Merlino DemJoseph P. MerlinoDem
14th Legislative District Vacant [b] Walter E. Foran Rep
15th Legislative District Wayne Dumont RepWayne DumontRep
16th Legislative District Raymond Bateman Rep John H. Ewing Rep
17th Legislative District John A. Lynch Sr. Dem William J. Hamilton Dem
18th Legislative District Bernard Dwyer DemBernard DwyerDem
19th Legislative District John FayDem Laurence Weiss Dem
20th Legislative District Alexander J. Menza Dem Anthony E. Russo Dem
21st Legislative District Thomas G. DunnDem John Gregorio Dem
22nd Legislative District Peter J. McDonough RepPeter J. McDonoughRep
23rd Legislative District Stephen B. Wiley Dem John H. Dorsey Rep
24th Legislative District James P. Vreeland RepJames P. VreelandRep
25th Legislative District James Wallwork RepJames WallworkRep
26th Legislative District Frank J. Dodd DemFrank J. DoddDem
27th Legislative District Carmen Orechio DemCarmen OrechioDem
28th Legislative District Martin L. Greenberg DemMartin L. GreenbergDem
29th Legislative District Wynona Lipman DemWynona LipmanDem
30th Legislative District Anthony Imperiale Ind Frank E. Rodgers Dem
31st Legislative District James P. DuganDem Wally Sheil Dem
32nd Legislative District Joseph W. Tumulty Dem David Friedland Dem
33rd Legislative District William Musto DemWilliam MustoDem
34th Legislative District Joseph Hirkala DemJoseph HirkalaDem
35th Legislative District Frank Davenport Rep Frank X. Graves Jr. Dem
36th Legislative District Anthony Scardino DemAnthony ScardinoDem
37th Legislative District Matthew Feldman DemMatthew FeldmanDem
38th Legislative District John Skevin DemJohn SkevinDem
39th Legislative District Raymond Garramone Dem Frank Herbert Dem
40th Legislative District Garrett Hagedorn RepGarrett HagedornRep
  1. Errichetti, who was also mayor of Camden, was chosen to succeed Senator John J. Horn in 1976. Horn joined Governor Byrne's cabinet as Commissioner of Labor and Industry.
  2. Senator Anne Clark Martindell resigned on May 17 to join the Jimmy Carter administration.

Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  1. District 27, 1.8%
  2. District 20, 1.6%
  3. District 6, 4.2%
  4. District 39, 5.6%
  5. District 23, 8.6%
  6. District 10, 9.5%

Incumbents defeated

In primary elections

Democratic

In general elections

Democratic

Independent

  • District 2: After losing the Democratic primary, Senator Joseph McGahn ran as an independent in the general election; he finished third behind Perskie and Republican F. Frederick Perone.
  • District 21: After losing the Democratic primary, Senator Thomas Dunn ran as an independent in the general election; he finished second behind Gregorio.
  • District 30: Anthony Imperiale (Essex) was defeated by Democrat Frank E. Rodgers, the mayor of Harrison. [12]

Open seats

Democratic holds

Democratic gains

Republican holds

Republican gains

District 1

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican James Cafiero (incumbent) 35,416 62.0% Increase2.svg 3.7
Democratic Frank Kneiser21,70238.0%Decrease2.svg 3.7
Total votes57,118 100.00%

District 2

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Steven P. Perskie 31,712 47.9% Decrease2.svg 7.2
Republican F. Frederick Perone20,16030.5%Decrease2.svg 14.4
Re-Elect, Experience, Integrity Joseph McGahn (incumbent)14,28821.6%N/A
Total votes66,160 100.00%

District 3

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Raymond Zane (incumbent) 37,199 65.8% Decrease2.svg 14.1
Republican Robert C. Hendrickson, Jr.19,32834.2%Increase2.svg 14.1
Total votes56,527 100.00%

District 4

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Joseph A. Maressa (incumbent) 35,736 65.0% Increase2.svg 1.2
Republican Walter C. Gebelein19,24835.0%Decrease2.svg 1.2
Total votes54,984 100.00%

District 5

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Angelo Errichetti (incumbent) 27,352 69.4% Increase2.svg 9.1
Republican Ernest J. Merlino12,07830.6%Decrease2.svg 6.2
Total votes39,430 100.00%

District 6

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Lee B. Laskin 29,823 52.1 Increase2.svg 5.3
Democratic Victor Pachter27,44947.9Decrease2.svg 5.3
Total votes57,272 100.00%

District 7

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Charles B. Yates 30,793 59.5% Increase2.svg 1.6
Republican Michael J. Conda20,97140.5%Decrease2.svg 1.1
Total votes51,764 100.00%

District 8

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Barry T. Parker (incumbent) 30,042 55.4% Increase2.svg 2.6
Democratic Charles H. Ryan24,16844.6%Decrease2.svg 2.6
Total votes54,210 100.00%

District 9

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic John F. Russo (incumbent) 53,309 63.7% Increase2.svg 9.2
Republican James J. Mancini28,67334.3%Decrease2.svg 11.2
Libertarian Leonard T. Flynn1,1531.4%N/A
Independent Donald Knause4940.6%N/A
Total votes83,629 100.00%

District 10

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Brian T. Kennedy 29,059 54.3% Increase2.svg 9.4
Democratic Herbert J. Buehler (incumbent)23,99044.8%Decrease2.svg 10.3
Let's Work TogetherFranco DiDomenica5020.9%N/A
Total votes53,551 100.00%

District 11

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican S. Thomas Gagliano 30,452 54.5% Increase2.svg 0.4
Democratic Arthur Goldzweig24,39843.7%Decrease2.svg 2.2
Libertarian Anne Caroline Riecker5671.0%N/A
Independent Joseph Rembisz, Jr.4770.9%N/A
Total votes55,894 100.00%

District 12

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Eugene J. Bedell (incumbent) 28,391 53.6% Decrease2.svg 5.2
Republican Joseph Azzolina 21,87741.3%Increase2.svg 6.1
Independent Eileen Lloyd2,4354.6%N/A
Libertarian Jack Moyers2610.5%N/A
Total votes52,964 100.00%

District 13

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Joseph P. Merlino (incumbent) 33,757 69.6% Decrease2.svg 4.8
Republican Harry L. Dearden14,77630.4%Increase2.svg 4.8
Total votes48,533 100.00%

District 14

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Walter E. Foran (incumbent) 33,556 56.8% Increase2.svg 8.3
Democratic Peter J. Bearse25,50443.2%Decrease2.svg 8.3
Total votes59,060 100.00%

District 15

New Jersey general election, 1977 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Wayne Dumont (incumbent) 35,268 60.7% Increase2.svg 5.7
Democratic Joseph J. Keslo22,81539.3%Decrease2.svg 5.7
Total votes58,083 100.00%

District 16

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican John H. Ewing 38,772 65.2% Increase2.svg 1.2
Democratic Kenneth L. Hetrick20,65434.8%Decrease2.svg 1.2
Total votes59,426 100.00%

District 17

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic William J. Hamilton, Jr. 26,343 59.7% Decrease2.svg 11.0
Republican Peter J. Selesky16,18336.7%Increase2.svg 8.3
Independent CandidateWalter Jinotti9852.2%N/A
Repeal Income TaxEdward J. McGlynn6381.4%N/A
Total votes44,149 100.00%

District 18

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Bernard J. Dwyer (incumbent) 34,144 57.6% Decrease2.svg 5.6
Republican S. Elliott Mayo23,80340.2%Increase2.svg 3.4
Independent Edward R. Gavarny1,2812.2%N/A
Total votes59,228 100.00%

District 19

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Laurence S. Weiss 30,474 65.9% Decrease2.svg 12.7
Republican Raymond J. Freid15,39033.3%Increase2.svg 11.9
U.S. Labor Michael R. Leppig3960.9%N/A
Total votes46,260 100.00%

District 20

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Anthony E. Russo 30,057 50.8 Decrease2.svg 5.5
Republican Frank X. McDermott 29,06749.2Increase2.svg 6.0
Total votes59,124 100.00%

District 21

1977 general election [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic John T. Gregorio 20,255 46.9% Decrease2.svg 15.8
Re-elect Experience, Courage Thomas G. Dunn (incumbent)13,93232.2%N/A
Republican Robert T. Walsh8,00518.5%Decrease2.svg 16.0
Repeal Income TaxRocco J. Gallo1,0232.4%N/A
Total votes43,215 100.00%

District 22

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Peter McDonough (incumbent) 28,669 55.2% Increase2.svg 2.9
Democratic Harry P. Pappas22,03242.5%Decrease2.svg 5.2
An Independent ChoiceJohn J. Carone1,1982.3%N/A
Total votes51,899 100.00%

District 23

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican John H. Dorsey 30,882 54.3% Increase2.svg 7.4
Democratic Stephen B. Wiley (incumbent)25,98145.7%Decrease2.svg 7.4
Total votes56,863 100.0

District 24

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican James P. Vreeland 34,694 67.1% Increase2.svg 14.5
Democratic Norma K. Herzfeld17,03632.9%Decrease2.svg 14.5
Total votes51,730 100.00%

District 25

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican James Wallwork 35,517 60.6% Increase2.svg 6.4
Democratic Lewis J. Paper 23,09639.4%Decrease2.svg 6.4
Total votes58,613 100.00%

District 26

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Frank J. Dodd 27,293 75.0% Decrease2.svg 0.1
Republican Nancy Jane Schron8,84724.3%Decrease2.svg 0.6
Libertarian Kenneth R. Kaplan2500.7%N/A
Total votes36,390 100.00%

District 27

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Carmen A. Orechio 25,773 50.9% Decrease2.svg 2.2
Republican John N. Dennis 24,85549.1%Increase2.svg 2.2
Total votes50,628 100.00%

District 28

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Martin L. Greenberg 16,986 57.8% Decrease2.svg 2.5
Republican James A. Pindar 11,39938.8%Increase2.svg 2.0
Income Tax Referendum Nicholas T. Fernicola 7702.6%N/A
Jobs, Equality, PeaceCharles E. Cascone2340.8%N/A
Total votes29,389 100.00%

District 29

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Wynona Lipman 16,037 90.6% Increase2.svg 6.8
Republican Manuel Angel Colon1,6589.4%Decrease2.svg 6.8
Total votes17,695 100.00%

District 30

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Frank E. Rodgers 20,081 48.0% Increase2.svg 11.6
Anti-Tax Candidate Anthony Imperiale 14,77135.3%Decrease2.svg 14.0
Republican Harry J. Romeo6,94616.6%Increase2.svg 2.4
Total votes41,798 100.00%

District 31

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Wally Sheil 26,872 70.6% Decrease2.svg 8.9
Republican Edward T. Magee11,19129.4%Increase2.svg 8.9
Total votes38,063 100.00%

District 32

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic David Friedland 26,813 67.5% Decrease2.svg 7.2
Republican Joseph W. Gallagher11,81729.8%Increase2.svg 6.9
Politicians Are Crooks Herbert H. Shaw 1,0822.7%N/A
Total votes39,712 '100.00%'

District 33

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic William Musto 25,270 71.8% Decrease2.svg 6.2
Republican Michael A. Litzas7,24420.6%Decrease2.svg 1.4
Repeal Income TaxWilliam J. Meehan1,7194.9%N/A
For The PeopleEulalio Jose Negrin9662.7%N/A
Total votes35,199 '100.00%'

District 34

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Joseph Hirkala 28,628 69.6% Increase2.svg 5.7
Republican Herman Schmidt12,48430.4%Decrease2.svg 5.7
Total votes41,112 100.00

District 35

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Frank X. Graves Jr. 17,005 56.2% Increase2.svg 6.3
Republican Alfred E. Fontanella 12,19340.3%Decrease2.svg 9.8
Tax Revolt IndependentJoseph S. Long5471.8%N/A
Independent Progressive ConservativeRoy L. Ward5001.7%N/A
Total votes30,245 '100.00%'

District 36

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Anthony Scardino 31,466 63.9% Increase2.svg 1.9
Republican Harold A. Pareti17,80536.1%Decrease2.svg 0.7
Total votes49,271 100.00%

District 37

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Matthew Feldman (incumbent) 31,945 59.0% Increase2.svg 0.4
Republican William C. Clark21,72340.1%Decrease2.svg 0.7
Communist Magnus Nelson4920.9%N/A
Total votes54,160 '100.00%'

District 38

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic John Skevin (incumbent) 24,629 56.1% Decrease2.svg 1.5
Republican Frank A. Buono, Jr.19,28943.9%Increase2.svg 1.5
Total votes43,918 '100.00%'

District 39

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Frank Herbert 28,658 52.8% Decrease2.svg 1.5
Republican John W. Markert 25,58247.2%Increase2.svg 1.5
Total votes54,240 100.00%

District 40

1977 general election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Garrett W. Hagedorn (incumbent) 29,689 57.8% Increase2.svg 1.6
Democratic Anthony D. Andora21,00940.9%Decrease2.svg 2.9
Independent Middle AmericaVictor E. Virgens6641.3%N/A
Total votes51,362 '100.00%'

References

  1. Fitzgerald's New Jersey Legislative Manual. Joseph J. Gribbons. 1976.
  2. Fitzgerald's New Jersey Legislative Manual. Joseph J. Gribbons. 1978.
  3. 1 2 "Results of the General Election" (PDF). New Jersey Division of Elections. State of New Jersey. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  4. Janson, Donald (March 5, 1977). "Perskie Likely to Oppose mcgahn in Senate Race". New York Times.
  5. 1 2 "Our Campaigns".
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Results of the Primary Election" (PDF). New Jersey Division of Elections. State of New Jersey. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  7. NARVAEZ, ALFONSO A. (October 17, 1977). "Democrats Running Strong in Campaigns in 13th, 17th and 21st Districts". New York Times.
  8. "Our Campaigns" . Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  9. "Our Campaigns" . Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  10. 1 2 "Results of the General Election" (PDF). New Jersey Division of Elections. State of New Jersey. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  11. NARVAEZ, ALFONSO A. (October 10, 1977). "G.O.P. Expected to Maintain Strength In Morris, Union and Essex Counties". New York Times.
  12. "Results of the General Election" (PDF). New Jersey Division of Elections. State of New Jersey. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  13. "Our Campaigns" . Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  14. "Our Campaigns" . Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  15. 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 "Results of the General Election Held November 8, 1977" (PDF). Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  16. "Candidates for the Offices of State Senate and General Assembly" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1977. p. 9. Retrieved July 26, 2015.