1983 New Jersey Senate election

Last updated

1983 New Jersey Senate elections
Flag of New Jersey.svg
←  1981
November 8, 1983
1987  →
All 40 seats in the New Jersey State Senate
21 seats needed for a majority
 Majority partyMinority party
 
Leader Carmen A. Orechio Donald DiFrancesco
Party Democratic Republican
Leader sinceJanuary 10, 1978January 12, 1982
Leader's seat 13th (Nutley) 22nd (Warren Township)
Last election2218
Seats before2119
Seats won2317
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 2Decrease2.svg 2
1983 New Jersey State Senate election.svg
Results by district
     Democratic hold     Democratic gain
     Republican hold     Republican gain
Senate President before election

Carmen A. Orechio
Democratic

Elected Senate President

Carmen A. Orechio
Democratic

The 1983 New Jersey Senate election was held on November 8. The election took place mid-way through the first term of Governor Thomas Kean. Democrats gained a net of two seats after flipping the 11th, 13th, and 38th districts. Meanwhile, Republicans flipped the 18th.

Contents

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

Summary of results by State Senate district

District Incumbent PartyElected SenatorParty
1st Legislative District James R. Hurley RepJames R. HurleyRep
2nd Legislative District William Gormley [a] RepWilliam GormleyRep
3rd Legislative District Raymond Zane DemRaymond ZaneDem
4th Legislative District Daniel Dalton DemDaniel DaltonDem
5th Legislative District Walter Rand DemWalter RandDem
6th Legislative District Lee Laskin RepLee LaskinRep
7th Legislative District Herman T. Costello Dem Catherine A. Costa Dem
8th Legislative District Jim Saxton RepJim SaxtonRep
9th Legislative District Leonard T. Connors RepLeonard T. ConnorsRep
10th Legislative District John F. Russo DemJohn F. RussoDem
11th Legislative District Brian T. Kennedy Rep Frank Pallone Dem
12th Legislative District S. Thomas Gagliano RepS. Thomas GaglianoRep
13th Legislative District John P. Gallagher Rep Richard Van Wagner Dem
14th Legislative District Francis J. McManimon DemFrancis J. McManimonDem
15th Legislative District Gerald R. Stockman DemGerald R. StockmanDem
16th Legislative District John H. Ewing RepJohn H. EwingRep
17th Legislative District John A. Lynch Jr. DemJohn A. Lynch Jr.Dem
18th Legislative District James Bornheimer Dem Peter P. Garibaldi Rep
19th Legislative District Laurence Weiss DemLaurence WeissDem
20th Legislative District Raymond Lesniak DemRaymond LesniakDem
21st Legislative District C. Louis Bassano RepC. Louis BassanoRep
22nd Legislative District Donald DiFrancesco RepDonald DiFrancescoRep
23rd Legislative District Walter E. Foran RepWalter E. ForanRep
24th Legislative District Wayne Dumont RepWayne DumontRep
25th Legislative District John H. Dorsey RepJohn H. DorseyRep
26th Legislative District James P. Vreeland Rep Leanna Brown Rep
27th Legislative District Richard Codey DemRichard CodeyDem
28th Legislative District John P. Caufield DemJohn P. CaufieldDem
29th Legislative District Wynona Lipman DemWynona LipmanDem
30th Legislative District Carmen Orechio DemCarmen OrechioDem
31st Legislative District Edward T. O'Connor Jr. DemEdward T. O'Connor Jr.Dem
32nd Legislative District Frank E. Rodgers Dem Thomas F. Cowan Dem
33rd Legislative District Nicholas LaRocca Dem Christopher Jackman Dem
34th Legislative District Joseph Bubba RepJoseph BubbaRep
35th Legislative District Frank X. Graves Jr. DemFrank X. Graves Jr.Dem
36th Legislative District Joseph HirkalaDemJoseph HirkalaDem
37th Legislative District Matthew Feldman DemMatthew FeldmanDem
38th Legislative District John Paolella Rep Paul Contillo Dem
39th Legislative District Gerald Cardinale RepGerald CardinaleRep
40th Legislative District Garrett Hagedorn RepGarrett HagedornRep
  1. ↑ Gormley won a September 1982 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Steven P. Perskie, who resigned to become a judge of the New Jersey Superior Court.

Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  1. District 21, 1.0%
  2. District 18, 1.2% gain
  3. District 38, 1.4% gain
  4. District 12, 1.8%
  5. District 11, 1.9% gain
  6. District 34, 2.0%
  7. District 39, 2.4%
  8. District 13, 8.2% gain
  9. District 30, 9.6%

District 1

General election

Candidates

  • James R. Hurley, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
  • Christopher H. Riley (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican James R. Hurley (incumbent) 30,141 59.8% Increase2.svg 6.0
Democratic Christopher H. Riley20,23240.2%Decrease2.svg 6.0
Total votes50,373 100.00%

District 2

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Arlene Groch, lawyer [2]
Declined

General election

Candidates

  • William Gormley, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
  • Arlene Groch, lawyer [2] (Democratic)
  • James T. Hagen (Senate Independent)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican William Gormley (incumbent) 27,616 56.8% Decrease2.svg 15.5
Democratic Arlene Groch19,93741.0%Increase2.svg 16.0
Independent politicianJames T. Hagen1,0622.2%Increase2.svg 1.3
Total votes48,615 100.00%

District 3

General election

Candidates

  • Mary Ruth Talley (Republican)
  • Raymond Zane, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Raymond Zane (incumbent) 30,179 63.0% Decrease2.svg 0.2
Republican Mary Ruth Talley17,74337.0%Increase2.svg 0.2
Total votes47,922 100.00%

District 4

General election

Candidates

  • Daniel Dalton, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)
  • Christopher Michaele (Republican)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Daniel Dalton (incumbent) 21,891 63.9% Increase2.svg 0.6
Republican Christopher Michaele12,37936.1%Decrease2.svg 0.6
Total votes34,270 100.00%

District 5

General election

Candidates

  • Gregory B. Montgomery (Democratic)
  • Walter Rand, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Walter Rand (incumbent) 23,446 66.0% Decrease2.svg 6.0
Republican Gregory B. Montgomery12,09034.0%Increase2.svg 6.0
Total votes35,536 100.00%

District 6

General election

Candidates

  • Lee B. Laskin, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
  • Francis J. Ward (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Lee B. Laskin (incumbent) 29,783 63.3% Increase2.svg 6.6
Democratic Francis J. Ward17,23536.7%Decrease2.svg 6.6
Total votes47,018 100.00%

District 7

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

The race between Costa and Kalik, both Assemblywomen from Willingboro, was expected to be among the most competitive in the state. Though Kalik, who had served since 1977, was better known in Trenton, Costa also served as a Freeholder and was the top vote-getter on the 1981 ticket. [3]

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Catherine A. Costa 26,697 63.1% Increase2.svg 6.0
Republican Henry W. Metzger15,61636.9%Decrease2.svg 6.0
Total votes42,313 100.00%

District 8

General election

Candidates

  • Charles H. Ryan (Democratic)
  • Jim Saxton, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jim Saxton (incumbent) 22,714 63.1% Decrease2.svg 2.6
Democratic Charles H. Ryan13,30336.9%Increase2.svg 2.6
Total votes36,017 100.00%

District 9

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Leonard T. Connors (incumbent) 31,028 63.3 Decrease2.svg 1.1
Democratic Anthony M. Sellitto, Jr.17,98936.7Increase2.svg 1.1
Total votes49,017 100.00%

District 10

General election

Candidates

  • Bob Fall (Republican)
  • John F. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic John F. Russo (incumbent) 31,807 63.3 Increase2.svg 4.7
Republican Bob Fall18,41336.7Decrease2.svg 4.7
Total votes50,220 100.00%

District 11

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Frank Pallone 24,339 50.4% Increase2.svg 9.3
Republican Brian T. Kennedy (incumbent)23,41248.5%Decrease2.svg 9.3
Bull MooseEdgar Van Houten5081.1%N/A
Total votes48,259 100.00%

District 12

General election

Candidates

Withdrew
  • Robert Morgan, doctor [4] (Democratic)

Campaign

Robert Morgan, the original Democratic nominee, withdrew from the race, citing the pressure of his medical practice. [4]

County Prosecutor Alexander Lehrer, the most prominent public official in the county, was initially reluctant to run, worrying that a political campaign had little chance of success and could imperil his ambitions for the state judiciary. [4] Party chair John Fiorino and U.S. Representative James J. Howard recruited him into the race through a draft movement; their support would also be critical to any judicial appointment. [4]

Gagliano denied reports that he had implied Lehrer's campaign would threaten his confirmation to the judiciary in the Senate. [4]

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican S. Thomas Gagliano (incumbent) 24,294 50.9% Decrease2.svg 8.2
Democratic Alexander D. Lehrer23,41449.1%Increase2.svg 8.2
Total votes47,708 100.00%

District 13

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Richard Van Wagner 26,522 54.1% Increase2.svg 5.7
Republican John P. Gallagher (incumbent)22,50845.9%Decrease2.svg 5.7
Total votes49,030 100.00%

District 14

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Francis J. McManimon (incumbent) 30,376 63.5% Increase2.svg 5.8
Republican Charles B. W. Durand17,44836.5%Decrease2.svg 5.8
Total votes47,824 100.00%

District 15

General election

Candidates

  • Robert A. Gladstone (Republican)
  • Gerald R. Stockman, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Gerald R. Stockman (incumbent) 29,967 67.3% Increase2.svg 10.9
Republican Robert A. Gladstone14,54332.7%Decrease2.svg 10.9
Total votes44,510 100.00%

District 16

General election

Candidates

  • John H. Ewing, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
  • Alfred A. Wicklund (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican John H. Ewing (incumbent) 27,383 67.4% Increase2.svg 1.9
Democratic Alfred A. Wicklund13,24232.6%Decrease2.svg 1.9
Total votes40,625 100.00%

District 17

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic John A. Lynch Jr. (incumbent) 19,703 65.3% Increase2.svg 4.7
Republican Frank A. Santoro10,44934.7%Decrease2.svg 1.2
Total votes30,152 100.00%

District 18

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Garibaldi stressed the issue of auto insurance premiums, which he said remained unsatisfactorily high despite recent legislation to slow rate increases. [8] He also cited his opposition to property revaluation programs in several towns, including Monroe and East Brunswick, which shifted local property tax burdens from commercial to residential property owners. Garibaldi said he had gone to court to stop the Monroe revaluation over disagreements with the group hired to conduct the survey. [8]

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Peter P. Garibaldi 24,397 47.9% Steady2.svg 0.0
Democratic James W. Bornheimer (incumbent)23,81446.7%Decrease2.svg 5.4
Independent Robert S. Maurer2,7695.4%N/A
Total votes50,980 100.00%

District 19

General election

Candidates

  • James W. Inman (Republican)
  • Laurence S. Weiss, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Laurence S. Weiss (incumbent) 28,251 59.0 Decrease2.svg 1.4
Republican James W. Inman19,60341.0Increase2.svg 1.4
Total votes47,854 100.00%

District 20

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Alongside the primary election, Lesniak won a special election to complete the unexpired term of John T. Gregorio, who had been convicted of conspiring to conceal his ownership of two Linden taverns. [9]

General election

Candidates

  • Raymond Lesniak, incumbent Senator since June 1983 (Democratic)
  • Rose Zeidwerg Monyek, Rahway resident (Inflation Fighting Housewife)
  • Alfred D. Palermo, Linden Republican chairman and real estate businessman [9] (Republican)
  • Joseph P. Scanlon (Beam the Bomb)
  • Harold J. Young, Rahway resident [9] (Independent)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Raymond Lesniak (incumbent) 23,246 64.5% Decrease2.svg 0.6
Republican Alfred D. Palermo11,86832.9%Increase2.svg 5.4
Inflation Fighting HousewifeRose Zeidwerg Monyek3891.1%Decrease2.svg 2.4
Beam the BombJoseph P. Scanlon3050.8%N/A
Independent Harold J. Young2170.6%Decrease2.svg 3.3
Total votes36,025 100.00%

District 21

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican C. Louis Bassano (incumbent) 29,300 50.5% Decrease2.svg 1.4
Democratic Anthony E. Russo 28,73449.5%Increase2.svg 1.4
Total votes58,034 100.00%

District 22

General election

Candidates

  • Donald DiFrancesco, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Republican)
  • Thomas M. McCormack (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Donald DiFrancesco (incumbent) 29,005 66.6% Decrease2.svg 1.3
Democratic Thomas M. McCormack14,57633.4%Increase2.svg 1.3
Total votes43,581 100.00%

District 23

General election

Candidates

  • Walter E. Foran, incumbent Senator since 1977 (Republican)
  • William Martin Jr. (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Walter E. Foran (incumbent) 27,224 69.2% Decrease2.svg 5.9
Democratic William Martin, Jr.12,10130.8%Increase2.svg 5.9
Total votes39,325 100.00%

District 24

General election

Candidates

  • Wayne Dumont, incumbent Senator since 1968 [a] (Republican)
  • Clarence W. Sickles (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Wayne Dumont (incumbent) 29,279 75.6% Decrease2.svg 1.8
Democratic Clarence W. Sickles9,43124.4%Increase2.svg 1.8
Total votes38,710 100.00%

District 25

General election

Candidates

  • John H. Dorsey, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
  • Allen Hantman (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican John H. Dorsey (incumbent) 25,529 65.4% Decrease2.svg 2.6
Democratic Allen Hantman13,52434.6%Increase2.svg 2.6
Total votes39,053 100.0

District 26

Republican primary

Campaign

Campaign

Brown announced her campaign in March, claiming that she was running on economic issues rather than in opposition to Vreeland, who had been her running mate since 1980. [3] The seat had been expected to go to Assemblyman Dean Gallo of Parsippany on Vreeland's retirement. Brown called for "new ideas", a veiled jab at the 73-year old Vreeland. [9] Her campaign out-raised and out-advertised Vreeland. [9]

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Leanna Brown 24,348 68.2% Decrease2.svg 1.7
Democratic Anthony Calvino11,34231.8%Increase2.svg 1.7
Total votes35,690 100.00%

District 27

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Alan Bowser, East Orange resident [9]
  • Richard Codey, incumbent Senator since 1982
  • Russell Fox, East Orange resident [9]
  • Joel Shain, mayor of Orange [9]
  • Thelma I. Tyree, East Orange resident [9]

Campaign

In the primary, each candidate accused the other of conflicts of interest. Shain charged that Codey sponsored multiple bills relating to the insurance industry while earning money as a consultant from insurance companies. Codey charged that Shain earned large dividends from stock in a cable television company which was awarded a franchise to operate in Orange. Shain had abstained from voting on the contract and sold his shares before the primary election. [9]

Shain spent close to $250,000 on radio commercials and telephone banking, while Codey spent over $115,000, setting a record for campaign spending. [9]

General election

Candidates

  • James J. Brown (Democratic)
  • Richard Codey, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Richard Codey (incumbent) 18,943 75.2% Increase2.svg 1.3
Republican James J. Brown6,25524.8%Decrease2.svg 1.3
Total votes25,198 100.00%

District 28

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Anthony Carrino, Newark City Councilman [9]
  • John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 and Newark Fire Director

Campaign

Carrino challenged Caufield, who had served two terms and was a close ally of Newark mayor Kenneth A. Gibson. During the prior legislative session, Caufield had blocked a bill supported by the city council that would have reformed school board elections in Newark. The contest was framed as a struggle between the mayor and the city council for power. [9]

General election

Candidates

  • John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 and Newark Fire Director (Democratic)
  • Joseph N. Mastrangelo (Republican)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic John P. Caufield (incumbent) 11,829 72.9% Decrease2.svg 2.1
Republican Joseph N. Mastrangelo4,39227.1%Increase2.svg 2.1
Total votes16,221 100.00%

District 29

General election

Candidates

  • Willie M. Brascher (Republican)
  • Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator since 1972 (Democratic)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Wynona Lipman (incumbent) 12,906 85.5 Decrease2.svg 2.8
Republican Willie M. Brascher2,18214.5Increase2.svg 2.8
Total votes15,088 100.00%

District 30

General election

Candidates

Campaign

The 30th district in suburban Essex County was among the most highly contested in the state, due to Orechio's position as President of the New Jersey Senate and the most powerful Democrat in Trenton. [8] Governor Thomas Kean, a native of Essex, had carried the district by more than 3,000 votes in 1981, while Orechio was re-elected by slightly more than 1,000. [8] Orechio, who was also the mayor of Nutley, hoped that the increased attention on the Senate race in an off-year and a special election for Nutley council would boost his vote. [8]

Salerno, a first-time candidate for office, campaigned on a strong anti-crime position including tougher prison sentences, support of the Governor's proposed infrastructure bank, and opposition to the Mount Laurel doctrine of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Though he now lived in Bloomfield, he stressed his working class roots in Belleville. [8] Down the stretch, the Republican campaign turned negative, attacking Orechio in personal terms while trying to establish Salerno's credentials for office. Among the issues cited was Orechio's control of the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission, which his brother Carl, a former Republican Assemblyman, chaired at a salary of $6,000 per year. Another Orechio brother, Frank, received a $54,000 salary as program director for the Wanaque South Water Project. [8] Orechio called the attacks on his brothers "sleazy" and disclaimed any role in their work, noting that appointments were made by the Governor. (The appointments were also confirmed by the Senate.) He refused to appear on a campaign platform with Salerno until he received an apology. [8]

Salerno spent over $110,000 by late October, while Orechio spent over $87,000. [8] Former Democratic Freeholder Martin G. Scaturo ran in the race as an independent candidate. [11] [12]

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Carmen A. Orechio (incumbent) 28,613 53.8% Increase2.svg 4.4
Republican Ralph J. Salerno23,52344.2%Decrease2.svg 3.5
Regular OrganizationMartin G. Scaturo1,0612.0%N/A
Total votes53,197 100.00%

Reacting to the results, Orechio said, "They had the money, the big money. But we had the people, and that's what really counted." [13]

District 31

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (incumbent) 23,894 80.7% Increase2.svg5.3
Republican Helen Kozak5,69819.3%Decrease2.svg5.3
Total votes29,592 100.00%

District 32

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

The three Hudson County district primaries were part of a struggle for power between Jersey City mayor Gerald McCann and former mayor Thomas F. X. Smith, who ran for Hudson County Executive against incumbent Edward F. Clark. [9]

Cowan was backed by McCann, replacing incumbent Francis E. Rodgers on his slate. Cucci was backed by Smith. [9]

Late in the campaign, Cucci was endorsed by U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, whom he had supported in 1982. [9]

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Thomas F. Cowan 23,510 63.8% Increase2.svg 0.4
Republican Joseph A. Plonski11,99732.6%Decrease2.svg 1.8
Politicians Are Crooks Herbert H. Shaw 1,3183.6Increase2.svg 1.4
Total votes36,825 100.00%

District 33

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

The three Hudson County district primaries were part of a struggle for power between Jersey City mayor Gerald McCann and former mayor Thomas F. X. Smith, who ran for Hudson County Executive against incumbent Edward F. Clark. [9]

Jackman was backed by Smith, while Simunovich was backed by McCann. [9] The race was considered "a tight one" by TheNew York Times. [9]

Late in the campaign, Jackman was endorsed by U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, whom he had supported in 1982. [9]

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Christopher Jackman 18,916 66.5% Increase2.svg 15.7
Republican Carlos E. Munoz9,53233.5%Increase2.svg 15.7
(Increase2.svg23.4)
Total votes28,448 100.00%

District 34

Republican primary

Candidates

Campaign

Given the Democratic lean of the district and a potential match-up with James W. Roe, Republican leaders feared a lingering split in the party could lead to a loss in November. [9]

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Bubba campaigned on a claim that he had single-handedly blocked efforts by Governor Kean for a 5-cent per gallon gas tax in 1982. [14] Despite this, Kean supported his campaign. [14]

Roe was likewise critical of his own party, referring to the "foot-dragging Legislature" and criticizing the slow pace of legislative negotiations on automobile insurance. He avoided criticism of Kean, who remained popular in the district. [14]

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Joseph Bubba (incumbent) 23,993 51.0% Decrease2.svg 1.7
Democratic James W. Roe23,01949.0%Increase2.svg 1.7
Total votes47,012 100.00%

District 35

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Frank X. Graves Jr. (incumbent) 23,646 74.3% Decrease2.svg 0.3
Republican Richard Fontanella8,16125.7%Increase2.svg 0.3
Total votes31,807 100.00%

District 36

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Both candidates had switched parties in the past. [14] Job, who had been a Republican in the 1960s, had spent the last decade as a member of the Democratic Party and served as the campaign manager for the Democratic Assembly ticket in 1981. As a result, he stayed out of the Assembly race, claiming that voters "[were] fortunate in having four good men to choose from." [14] In radio commercials, Hirkala highlighted Job's penchant for switching parties. [8]

With party loyalties blurred, the campaign turned bitterly personal, despite the friendship between the two candidates. [14] Job referred to Hirkala as a "do-nothing" clerk, and Hirkala charged that Job had failed to prevent prison escapes and drug use by inmates as Bergen County Sheriff. [8] [14]

Hirkala planned to raise and spend $45,000, most of it from the New Jersey State Democratic Committee. [8] Both candidates utilized radio commercials. [8]

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Joseph Hirkala (incumbent) 28,325 58.3% Increase2.svg 2.9
Republican Joseph F. Job20,22241.7%Decrease2.svg 0.3
Total votes48,547 100.00%

District 37

General election

Candidates

  • Matthew Feldman, incumbent Senator since 1974 and former Senate President [b] (Democratic)
  • Michael L. Kingman (Republican)

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Matthew Feldman (incumbent) 32,645 64.3% Increase2.svg 2.6
Republican Michael L. Kingman18,14335.7%Decrease2.svg 2.6
Total votes50,788 100.00%

District 38

Democratic primary

Candidates

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Paul Contillo 22,422 50.7% Increase2.svg 4.2
Republican John B. Paolella (incumbent)21,82749.3%Decrease2.svg 1.7
Total votes44,249 100.00%

District 39

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Gerald Cardinale (incumbent) 27,199 51.2% Decrease2.svg 7.0
Democratic Francis Herbert 25,94248.8%Increase2.svg 7.0
Total votes53,141 100.0

District 40

General election

Candidates

Results

1983 general election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Garrett W. Hagedorn (incumbent) 28,755 65.5% Decrease2.svg 1.3
Democratic Charles F. Ryan15,15234.5%Increase2.svg 1.3
Total votes43,907 100.00%

Notes

  1. ↑ Dumont previously served in the Senate from 1952 to 1966.
  2. ↑ Feldman previously served in the Senate from 1966 to 1968.

References

  1. 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 "Candidates for the Offices of State Senate and General Assembly" (PDF). Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Sardella, Carlo M. (July 24, 1983). "A 'LAST HURRAH' FOR ATLANTIC COUNTY'S REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Joseph F.Sullivan (March 27, 1983). "Primary Enlivened". The New York Times . Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sullivan, Joseph F. (August 28, 1983). "PROSECUTOR IS FACING A DILEMMA". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  5. ↑ Sullivan, Joseph F. (November 1, 1983). "Jersey Voting To Decide Who Runs Legislature". NYTimes.com. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  6. ↑ Wildstein, David (March 26, 2020). "Franny McManimon, former state senator, dies at 93". New Jersey Globe.
  7. ↑ Sullivan, Joseph F. (November 6, 1983). "POLITICS; ELECTION WILL CAST LONG SHADOW". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Sullivan, Joseph F. (October 28, 1983). "KEAN CAMPAIGNS FOR A G.O.P. SENATE". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  9. 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 Sullivan, Joseph F. (June 6, 1983). "JERSEY PRIMARIES TOMORROW BEAR ON LEGISLATIVE CONTROL". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  10. ↑ Sullivan, Joseph F. (November 9, 1983). "JERSEY DEMOCRATS KEEP CONTROL OF LEGISLATURE; SENATE LEADERS RE-ELECTED". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Times, Alfonso A. Narvaez Special to The New York (May 30, 1978). "Essex Freeholder Races to Shape New County Rule". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  12. ↑ Wildstein, David (July 22, 2019). "Shapiro and Cryan split the '78 races for Essex freeholder". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  13. ↑ Sullivan, Joseph F. (November 9, 1983). "JERSEY DEMOCRATS KEEP CONTROL OF LEGISLATURE; SENATE LEADERS RE-ELECTED". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sullivan, Joseph F. (October 30, 1983). "WHO'S ON WHICH SIDE IN THE CAMPAIGN?". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 21, 2025.
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