1980 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

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1980 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  

All 15 New Jersey seats to the United States House of Representatives
 Majority partyMinority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election105
Seats won87
Seat changeDecrease2.svg2Increase2.svg2
Popular vote1,316,1001,368,981
Percentage48.0%49.9%

The 1980 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 4, 1980, to determine who would represent the people of New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives. This election coincided with national elections for President, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. New Jersey had fourteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1980 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms.

Contents

Overview

1980 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey [1]
PartyVotesPercentageCandidatesSeats+/–
Democratic 1,316,10048.01%158Decrease2.svg2
Republican 1,368,98149.94%157Increase2.svg2
Libertarian 27,5721.01%150Steady2.svg
Citizens 3,0250.11%20Steady2.svg
Socialist Labor 2,9230.11%40Steady2.svg
Socialist Workers 1,8690.07%20Steady2.svg
Constitution 6660.02%10Steady2.svg
Socialist 6430.02%10Steady2.svg
Independents47,1881.72%130Steady2.svg
Totals2,741,395100.00%5415Steady2.svg

District 1

1980 New Jersey's 1st congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  James Florio 1983 (3x4 cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee James Florio Scott Sibert
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote147,35242,154
Percentage76.7%21.9%

U.S. Representative before election

James Florio
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

James Florio
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat James Florio won. The district included Gloucester County and parts of Camden County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic James Florio (incumbent) 33,181 100.00%
Total votes33,181 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Scott L. Sibert

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Scott L. Sibert 9,742 100.00%
Total votes9,742 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Scott L. Sibert (Republican)
  • James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Republican)
  • Julius Levin, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
  • Thomas S. Watson Jr. (Independent)
  • Ronald K. Wishart (Libertarian)

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic James Florio (incumbent) 147,352 76.71% {{{change}}}
Republican Scott L. Sibert42,15421.95%
Independent Thomas S. Watson Jr.1,3270.69%
Libertarian Ronald K. Wishart1,0290.54%
Socialist Labor Julius Levin 2190.11%
Total votes192,081 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 2

1980 New Jersey's 2nd congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Bill Hughes.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee William J. Hughes Beech Fox
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote135,43797,072
Percentage57.5%41.2%

U.S. Representative before election

William J. Hughes
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

William J. Hughes
Democratic

Incumbent William J. Hughes won. This district, the largest in South Jersey, included all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties and parts of Burlington and Ocean counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic William J. Hughes (incumbent) 15,360 100.00%
Total votes15,360 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Beech N. Fox, Cape May County sheriff [4]
  • John J. Mahoney, chair of the Atlantic County Young Republicans [4]

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Beech N. Fox 19,143 63.42%
Republican John J. Mahoney11,04136.58%
Total votes30,184 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Beech N. Fox, Cape May County sheriff [4] (Republican)
  • Adele Frisch (Socialist Labor)
  • William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
  • Robert C. Rothhouse (Libertarian)

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic William J. Hughes (incumbent) 135,437 57.46% {{{change}}}
Republican Beech N. Fox97,07241.18%
Libertarian Robert C. Rothhouse2,2620.96%
Socialist Labor Adele Frisch9390.40%
Total votes235,710 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 3

1980 New Jersey's 3rd congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  James J. Howard.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee James J. Howard Marie Sheehan Muhler
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote106,269104,184
Percentage49.9%49.0%

U.S. Representative before election

James J. Howard
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

James J. Howard
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat James J. Howard won.

This district included parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic James J. Howard (incumbent) 20,522 100.00%
Total votes20,522 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Marie Sheehan Muhler 16,540 100.00%
Total votes16,540 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Lawrence D. Erickson (Socialist)
  • James J. Howard, incumbent Representative since 1965 (Democratic)
  • Marie Sheehan Muhler, assemblywoman from Marlboro (Republican)
  • Tom Palven (Libertarian)
  • L. James Wilson (J.E.B. Party Inc.)

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic James J. Howard (incumbent) 106,269 49.93% {{{change}}}
Republican Marie Sheehan Muhler 104,18448.95%
Libertarian Tom Palven1,4500.68%
Socialist Lawrence D. Erickson6430.30%
Independent L. James Wilson2840.13%
Total votes212,830 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 4

1980 New Jersey's 4th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Chris Smith, official 97th Congress photo.jpg Frank Thompson.jpg
Nominee Chris Smith Frank Thompson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote95,44768,480
Percentage56.6%40.6%

U.S. Representative before election

Frank Thompson
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Chris Smith
Republican

Incumbent Republican Chris Smith won. This district, in Central Jersey, consisted of parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Frank Thompson (incumbent) 20,713 100.00%
Total votes20,713 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Chris Smith, chair of the New Jersey Right to Life Committee and nominee for this district in 1978
  • John D. Scalamonti, former Catholic priest and convert to Orthodox Judaism [5]

Declined

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Chris Smith 8,121 82.89%
Republican John D. Scalamonti1,67617.11%
Total votes9,797 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Jack Moyers (Libertarian)
  • Paul B. Rizzo (Independent)
  • Chris Smith, chair of the New Jersey Right to Life Committee and nominee for this district in 1978 (Republican)
  • Frank Thompson, incumbent Representative since 1955 (Democratic)

Campaign

After Thompson was indicted on charges of bribery and conspiracy in connection with the Abscam FBI sting operation, Republicans considered replacing Smith with a more established candidate. Two such potential candidates, 1978 U.S. Senate nominee Jeff Bell and Hamilton Township mayor Jack Rafferty, declined. [6]

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Chris Smith 95,447 56.64% {{{change}}}
Democratic Frank Thompson (incumbent)68,48040.64%
Libertarian Jack Moyers2,8011.66%
Independent Paul B. Rizzo1,7761.05%
Total votes168,504 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing {{{swing}}}

District 5

1980 New Jersey's 5th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Portrait of Congresswoman Millicent Fenwick (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Millicent Fenwick Kieran Pillion
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote156,01641,269
Percentage77.5%20.5%

U.S. Representative before election

Millicent Fenwick
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Millicent Fenwick
Republican

Incumbent Millicent Fenwick won. This district included Somerset County and parts of Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, and Morris counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Millicent Fenwick (incumbent) 23,419 69.91%
Republican Larry C. A. Haverly10,08030.09%
Total votes33,499 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Kieran E. Pillion Jr. 6,839 51.24%
Democratic William R. Norris II6,50748.76%
Total votes13,346 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Campaign

In the general election, Fenwick and Pillion agreed to a spending cap of $22,500. Ultimately, Pillion was only able to raise about $7,200. [7]

Fenwick's campaign was managed by future state senator Kip Bateman. [7]

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Millicent Fenwick (incumbent) 156,016 77.50% {{{change}}}
Democratic Kieran E. Pillion Jr.41,26920.50%
Libertarian Carl R. Samson2,4651.22%
Independent Jasper C. Gould1,5490.77%
Total votes201,299 100.00%
Turnout 134,22046.32%
Republican hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 6

1980 New Jersey's 6th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Edwin B. Forsythe.png 3x4.svg
Nominee Edwin B. Forsythe Lewis Weinstein
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote125,79292,227
Percentage56.3%41.3%

U.S. Representative before election

Edwin B. Forsythe
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Edwin B. Forsythe
Republican

Incumbent Republican Edwin B. Forsythe won.

This district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Edwin B. Forsythe (incumbent) 18,768 89.82%
Republican Richard D. Amber2,12610.18%
Total votes20,894 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Alene S. Ammond, former state senator from Cherry Hill
  • Bruce MacNaul, Burlington County Surrogate [8]
  • Lewis M. Weinstein, former Cherry Hill township manager [8]

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Lewis M. Weinstein 9,713 36.51%
Democratic Bruce MacNaul8,53532.08%
Democratic Alene S. Ammond8,35731.41%
Total votes26,605 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Bernardo S. Doganiero, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
  • Virginia A. Flynn (Libertarian)
  • Edwin B. Forsythe, incumbent Representative from Moorestown since 1970 (Republican)
  • John Kinnevy III (Citizens)
  • Donald L. Smith (Constitution)
  • Lewis M. Weinstein (Democratic)

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Edwin B. Forsythe (incumbent) 125,792 56.34% {{{change}}}
Democratic Lewis M. Weinstein92,22741.31%
Libertarian Virginia A. Flynn2,1650.97%
Citizens John Kinnevy III1,8480.83%
Constitution Donald L. Smith6660.30%
Socialist Labor Bernardo S. Doganiero5560.25%
Total votes223,254 100.00%
Republican hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 7

1980 New Jersey's 7th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Marge Roukema.jpg Andrew Maguire.png
Nominee Marge Roukema Andrew Maguire
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote108,76099,737
Percentage50.8%46.6%

U.S. Representative before election

Andrew Maguire
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Marge Roukema
Republican

Incumbent Andrew Maguire ran for a fourth term in office but was defeated by Marge Roukema. This district included western parts of Bergen County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Andrew Maguire (incumbent) 23,452 100.00%
Total votes23,452 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Marge Roukema 16,880 100.00%
Total votes16,880 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Andrew Maguire, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
  • Patrick Randazzo (Pro-Life Independent)
  • Marge Roukema, former member of the Ridgewood Board of Education and nominee for this district in 1978 (Republican)
  • Robert Shapiro (Libertarian)
  • Martin E. Wendelken (Independent)

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Marge Roukema 108,760 50.85% {{{change}}}
Democratic Andrew Maguire (incumbent)99,73746.63%
Independent Patrick Randazzo3,5941.68%
Libertarian Robert Shapiro1,6400.77%
Independent Martin E. Wendelken6120.29%
Total votes213,893 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing {{{swing}}}

District 8

1980 New Jersey's 8th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Robert A. Roe.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Robert A. Roe William Cleveland
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote116,12844,625
Percentage67.2%31.4%

U.S. Representative before election

Robert A. Roe
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Robert A. Roe
Democratic

Incumbent Robert Roe won. This district included parts of Bergen and Passaic counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robert A. Roe (incumbent) 14,662 100.00%
Total votes14,662 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • William R. Cleveland

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican William R. Cleveland 7,072 100.00%
Total votes7,072 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • William R. Cleveland (Republican)
  • Michael Horowitz (Libertarian)
  • Donald Rabel (Socialist Labor)
  • Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969 (Democratic)

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Robert A. Roe (incumbent) 95,493 67.15% {{{change}}}
Republican William R. Cleveland44,62531.38%
Socialist Labor Donna Rabel1,2090.85%
Libertarian Michael Horowitz8740.61%
Total votes142,201 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 9

1980 New Jersey's 9th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Harold Hollenbeck-97th Congress (1981).jpeg 3x4.svg
Nominee Harold C. Hollenbeck Gabriel Ambrosio
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote116,12875,321
Percentage59.1%38.3%

U.S. Representative before election

Harold C. Hollenbeck
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Harold C. Hollenbeck
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Bob Torricelli won. This district consisted of parts of Bergen and Hudson counties.

As of 2025, this is the most recent election in which a Republican was elected to represent any portion of Hudson County.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Harold C. Hollenbeck (incumbent) 12,050 100.00%
Total votes12,050 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declined

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gabriel M. Ambrosio 16,804 41.41%
Democratic Burt Ross14,41735.53%
Democratic Henry Helstoski 9,35923.06%
Total votes40,580 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Harold C. Hollenbeck (inc.) 116,128 59.10% {{{change}}}
Democratic Gabriel M. Ambrosio 75,32138.33%
Libertarian Henry Koch2,2901.17%
Independent Herbert H. Shaw1,5880.81%
Citizens Edward G. Davis1,1770.60%
Total votes196,504 100.00%
Republican hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 10

1980 New Jersey's 10th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Peter Rodino 1974.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Peter W. Rodino Everett Jennings
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote76,15411,778
Percentage85.3%13.2%

U.S. Representative before election

Peter W. Rodino
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Peter W. Rodino
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Peter W. Rodino won. The district included parts of Essex and Hudson counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Peter W. Rodino (incumbent) 26,943 62.17%
Democratic Donald M. Payne 9,82522.67%
Democratic Golden E. Johnson 5,31612.27%
Democratic Russell Fox1,2512.89%
Total votes43,335 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Everett J. Jennings

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Everett J. Jennings 2,174 100.00%
Total votes2,174 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Christine Hildebrand (Socialist Workers)
  • Everett J. Jennings (Republican)
  • Christine Keno (Human Rights Ratification)
  • Ronald Penque (Libertarian)
  • Peter W. Rodino, incumbent Representative since 1949 (Democratic)
  • Frankie Lee Scott (Youth Against Draft)

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Peter W. Rodino (inc.) 76,154 85.33% {{{change}}}
Republican Everett J. Jennings11,77813.20%
Independent Christine Keno5420.61%
Independent Frankie Lee Scott2810.31%
Libertarian Ronald Penque2710.30%
Socialist Workers Christine Hildebrand2190.25%
Total votes89,245 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 11

1980 New Jersey's 11th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Joseph Minishs.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Joseph Minish Robert Davis
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote106,15557,772
Percentage63.0%34.3%

U.S. Representative before election

Joseph Minish
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Joseph Minish
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Joseph Minish won. This district consisted of parts of Bergen, Essex, Passaic, and Union counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joseph Minish (incumbent) 28,491 100.00%
Total votes28,491 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Robert A. Davis

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Robert A. Davis 12,298 100.00%
Total votes12,298 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Jon Britton (Socialist Workers)
  • Robert A. Davis (Republican)
  • Joseph Minish, incumbent Representative from West Orange since 1963 (Democratic)
  • Richard S. Roth (Libertarian)
  • Robert G. Trugman (The Independent Alternative)

Resultsd

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Joseph Minish (incumbent) 106,155 62.99% {{{change}}}
Republican Robert A. Davis57,77234.28%
Socialist Workers Jon Britton1,6500.98%
Independent Robert G. Trugman1,6300.97%
Libertarian Richard S. Roth1,3170.78%
Total votes168,524 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 12

1980 New Jersey's 12th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Matthew J. Rinaldo.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Matt Rinaldo Rose Monyek
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote134,97336,577
Percentage77.1%20.9%

U.S. Representative before election

Matt Rinaldo
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Matt Rinaldo
Republican

Incumbent Matt Rinaldo won. This district included parts of Union County.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Matt Rinaldo (incumbent) 17,431 100.00%
Total votes17,431 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Charles A. Leary
  • Rose Zeidwerg Monyek

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Rose Zeidwerg Monyek 9,085 52.80%
Democratic Charles A. Leary8,12047.20%
Total votes17,205 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • David-Leif Jensen (Independent for Congress)
  • Rose Zeidwerg Monyek (Democratic)
  • Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973 (Republican)
  • William Vandersteel (Libertarian)

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Matt Rinaldo (incumbent) 134,973 77.12% {{{change}}}
Democratic Rose Zeidwerg Monyek36,57720.90%
Independent David-Leif Jensen2,3581.35%
Libertarian William Vandersteel1,1180.64%
Total votes175,026 100.00%
Republican hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 13

1980 New Jersey's 13th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Jim Courter.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Jim Courter Dave Stickle
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote152,86256,251
Percentage71.6%26.4%

U.S. Representative before election

Jim Courter
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Jim Courter
Republican

Incumbent Representative Jim Courter won the election.

This sprawling district included Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren counties and parts of Mercer and Morris counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jim Courter (incumbent) 25,779 100.00%
Total votes25,779 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Edward J. Baker
  • Carl A. Mottey
  • Ray Rollinson
  • Roger A. Singerling
  • Dave Stickle

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Dave Stickle 8,064 40.03%
Democratic Edward J. Baker4,67823.22%
Democratic Carl A. Mottey3,97219.72%
Democratic Ray Rollinson2,27211.28%
Democratic Roger A. Singerling1,1605.76%
Total votes20,146 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Jim Courter, incumbent Representative from Hackettstown since 1979 (Republican)
  • John S. Schafer (Libertarian)
  • Dave Stickle (Democratic)

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jim Courter (incumbent) 152,862 71.64% {{{change}}}
Democratic Dave Stickle56,25126.36%
Libertarian John S. Schafer4,2602.00%
Total votes213,373 100.00%
Republican hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 14

1980 New Jersey's 14th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Frank Guarini-102nd Congress (1991).jpeg 3x4.svg
Nominee Frank Guarini Dennis Teti
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote86,92145,606
Percentage64.2%33.7%

U.S. Representative before election

Frank J. Guarini
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Frank J. Guarini
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Frank J. Guarini won. This district included parts of Hudson County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Frank J. Guarini (incumbent) 40,825 100.00%
Total votes40,825 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Dennis Teti

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Dennis Teti 3,371 100.00%
Total votes3,371 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Kenneth Famularo (Action Talks)
  • Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Democratic)
  • Jonathan Steele (LIbertarian)
  • Dennis Teti (Republican)

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Frank J. Guarini (incumbent) 86,921 64.18% {{{change}}}
Republican Dennis Teti45,60633.67%
Libertarian Jonathan Steele1,7651.30%
Independent Kenneth Famularo1,1380.84%
Total votes135,430 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 15

1980 New Jersey's 15th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982  
  Bernard J. Dwyer.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Bernard J. Dwyer William O'Sullivan
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote92,45775,812
Percentage53.4%43.8%

U.S. Representative before election

Edward J. Patten
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Bernard J. Dwyer
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Edward Patten did not run for re-election to a tenth term in office. Bernard J. Dwyer won the open seat. This district included parts of Middlesex and Union counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declined

Results

1980 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Bernard J. Dwyer 16,328 32.03%
Democratic David C. Schwartz 12,80025.11%
Democratic George A. Spadoro 12,32924.18%
Democratic Richard Pucci7,72015.14%
Democratic Doris Sipos1,8063.54%
Total votes50,983 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • William J. O'Sullivan Jr., Middlesex County Republican Party treasurer [8]
  • Charles W. Wiley, freelance journalist and nominee for this district in 1978 [8]

Results

1980 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican William J. O'Sullivan Jr. 4,538 54.19%
Republican Charles W. Wiley3,83645.81%
Total votes8,374 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Bernard J. Dwyer, state senator and former mayor of Edison (Democratic)
  • Charles M. Hart (Libertarian)
  • Ira W. Mintz (People's Independent Coalition)
  • William J. O'Sullivan Jr. (Republican)

Results

1980 U.S. House election [1] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Bernard J. Dwyer 92,457 53.42% {{{change}}}
Republican William J. O'Sullivan Jr.75,81243.80%
Independent Ira W. Mintz2,9371.70%
Libertarian Charles M. Hart1,8651.08%
Total votes173,071 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Henshaw, Edmund L. (April 15, 1981). "STATISTICS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 4, 1980" (PDF). Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. p. 39. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  2. 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 "Members of the House of Representatives" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Members of the House of Representatives" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Wildstein, David (October 31, 2019). "Bill Hughes, former New Jersey congressman who fought to protect coastline, dies at 87". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  5. NJJN, Special to. "Shabbat candles reignited former priest's lost faith". njjewishnews.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Early on, Smith was dismissed as a fluke, New York Observer (December 23, 2019).
  7. 1 2 3 Wildstein, David (May 18, 2024). "The time a House incumbent offered to spend no more than the challenger". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Lively Races Mark Approach of Primaries in Jersey; Effect of Shifts Feared Helstoski Seeks Return (Published 1980)". May 31, 1980. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  9. "'Too big for its bridges'". The Jewish Standard. January 24, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2025.