1985 New Jersey General Assembly election

1985 New Jersey General Assembly election

← 1983 November 5, 1985 1987  →
All 80 seats in the New Jersey General Assembly 41 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Chuck Hardwick Alan Karcher (stepped down) Party Republican Democratic Leader's seat 21st 19th Seats before 36 44 Seats won 50 30 Seat change 14 14
Results:      Republican gain     Democratic gain      Republican hold     Democratic hold
Speaker before election Alan Karcher Democratic Elected Speaker Chuck Hardwick Republican

The 1985 New Jersey General Assembly election was held on November 5, 1985.

The elections coincided with Governor Tom Kean's landslide re-election. The result was a historic victory for Kean's Republican Party, which gained 14 seats to retake the majority in the Assembly. As of 2025, this remains the only election since 1973 in which Republicans won any seats in the Senate or Assembly from Hudson County, where they carried four of six seats.

Republicans flipped one seat in districts 9, 10, and 14, as well as both seats in districts 3, 13, 30, 32, 33, and 36. Democrats flipped one seat in District 17.

Incumbents not running for re-election

Democratic

• Thomas W. Long (District 20)
• Nicholas LaRocca (District 33)

Summary of races

Voters in each legislative district elect two members to the New Jersey General Assembly.

District	Incumbent	Party		Elected	Party
1st Legislative District	Guy F. Muziani		Rep	Guy F. Muziani		Rep
	Joseph W. Chinnici		Rep	Joseph W. Chinnici		Rep
2nd Legislative District	J. Edward Cline		Rep	J. Edward Cline		Rep
	Dolores G. Cooper		Rep	Dolores G. Cooper		Rep
3rd Legislative District	Martin A. Herman		Dem	Jack Collins		Rep
	Thomas A. Pankok		Dem	Gary Stuhltrager		Rep
4th Legislative District	Anthony S. Marsella		Dem	Anthony S. Marsella		Dem
	Dennis L. Riley		Dem	Dennis L. Riley		Dem
5th Legislative District	Francis J. Gorman		Dem	Francis J. Gorman		Dem
	Wayne R. Bryant		Dem	Wayne R. Bryant		Dem
6th Legislative District	John A. Rocco		Rep	John A. Rocco		Rep
	Thomas J. Shusted		Rep	Thomas J. Shusted		Rep
7th Legislative District	Barbara Kalik		Dem	Barbara Kalik		Dem
	Thomas P. Foy		Dem	Thomas P. Foy		Dem
8th Legislative District	Harold L. Colburn Jr. [a]		Rep	Harold L. Colburn Jr.		Rep
	Robert C. Shinn Jr. [b]		Rep	Robert C. Shinn		Rep
9th Legislative District	John T. Hendrickson Jr.		Rep	John T. Hendrickson Jr.		Rep
	Jorge A. Rod		Dem [c]	Jeffrey Moran		Rep
10th Legislative District	John Paul Doyle		Dem	John Paul Doyle		Dem
	Marlene Lynch Ford		Dem	Robert Singer		Rep
11th Legislative District	Joseph A. Palaia		Rep	Joseph A. Palaia		Rep
	Anthony M. Villane		Rep	Anthony M. Villane		Rep
12th Legislative District	Marie Sheehan Muhler		Rep	Marie Sheehan Muhler		Rep
	John O. Bennett		Rep	John O. Bennett		Rep
13th Legislative District	Jacqueline Walker		Dem	Joseph Azzolina		Rep
	Bill Flynn		Dem	Joann H. Smith		Rep
14th Legislative District	Joseph L. Bocchini Jr.		Dem	Joseph L. Bocchini Jr.		Dem
	Joseph D. Patero		Dem	John K. Rafferty		Rep
15th Legislative District	John S. Watson		Dem	John S. Watson		Dem
	Gerald S. Naples		Dem	Gerald S. Naples		Dem
16th Legislative District	Walter J. Kavanaugh		Rep	Walter J. Kavanaugh		Rep
	John S. Penn		Rep	John S. Penn		Rep
17th Legislative District	David C. Schwartz		Dem	David C. Schwartz		Dem
	Angela L. Perun		Rep [d]	Bob Smith		Dem
18th Legislative District	Thomas H. Paterniti		Dem	Thomas H. Paterniti		Dem
	Frank M. Pelly		Dem	Frank M. Pelly		Dem
19th Legislative District	George Otlowski		Dem	George J. Otlowski		Dem
	Alan Karcher		Dem	Alan Karcher		Dem
20th Legislative District	Thomas J. Deverin		Dem	Thomas J. Deverin		Dem
	Thomas W. Long		Dem	George Hudak		Dem
21st Legislative District	Chuck Hardwick		Rep	Chuck Hardwick		Rep
	Peter J. Genova [e]		Rep	Peter J. Genova		Rep
22nd Legislative District	Bob Franks		Rep	Bob Franks		Rep
	Maureen Ogden		Rep	Maureen Ogden		Rep
23rd Legislative District	Dick Zimmer		Rep	Dick Zimmer		Rep
	Karl Weidel		Rep	Karl Weidel		Rep
24th Legislative District	Robert E. Littell		Rep	Robert E. Littell		Rep
	Chuck Haytaian		Rep	Chuck Haytaian		Rep
25th Legislative District	Rodney Frelinghuysen		Rep	Rodney Frelinghuysen		Rep
	Arthur R. Albohn		Rep	Arthur R. Albohn		Rep
26th Legislative District	Robert J. Martin [f]		Rep	Robert J. Martin		Rep
	Ralph A. Loveys		Rep	Ralph A. Loveys		Rep
27th Legislative District	Harry A. McEnroe		Dem	Harry A. McEnroe		Dem
	Mildred Barry Garvin		Dem	Mildred Barry Garvin		Dem
28th Legislative District	Michael Adubato		Dem	Michael Adubato		Dem
	James Zangari		Dem	James Zangari		Dem
29th Legislative District	Willie B. Brown		Dem	Willie B. Brown		Dem
	Eugene H. Thompson		Dem	Eugene H. Thompson		Dem
30th Legislative District	Buddy Fortunato		Dem	John V. Kelly		Rep
	Steve Adubato		Dem	Marion Crecco		Rep
31st Legislative District	Joe Doria		Dem	Joe Doria		Dem
	Joseph Charles		Dem	Joseph Charles		Dem
32nd Legislative District	Paul Cuprowski		Dem	Frank J. Gargiulo		Rep
	Anthony P. Vainieri		Dem	Charles J. Catrillo		Rep
33rd Legislative District	Nicholas LaRocca		Dem	Ronald A. Dario		Rep
	Robert A. Ranieri		Dem	Jose Arango		Rep
34th Legislative District	Gerald Zecker		Rep	Gerald Zecker		Rep
	Newton E. Miller		Rep	Newton E. Miller		Rep
35th Legislative District	John Girgenti		Dem	John Girgenti		Dem
	Vincent O. Pellecchia		Dem	Vincent O. Pellecchia		Dem
36th Legislative District	Robert Hollenbeck		Dem	Kathleen Donovan		Rep
	Richard Visotcky		Dem	Paul DiGaetano		Rep
37th Legislative District	D. Bennett Mazur		Dem	D. Bennett Mazur		Dem
	Byron Baer		Dem	Byron Baer		Dem
38th Legislative District	Pat Schuber		Rep	Pat Schuber		Rep
	Louis Kosco		Rep	Louis Kosco		Rep
39th Legislative District	John E. Rooney		Rep	John E. Rooney		Rep
	Elizabeth Randall [g]		Rep	Elizabeth Randall		Rep
40th Legislative District	Walter M. D. Kern		Rep	Walter M. D. Kern		Rep
	Nicholas Felice		Rep	Nicholas R. Felice		Rep

1. Colburn won a September 1984 special to complete the unexpired term of Assemblyman Robert J. Meyer, who died of a heart attack.
2. Shinn won a special election in February 1985 to complete the unexpired term of Assemblyman C. William Haines, who had been elevated to the Senate.
3. Rod was elected as a Republican in 1983, but switched parties on August 27, shortly before the election.
4. Perun switched parties on March 14.
5. Genova won a March 1985 special election to complete the unexpired term of Assemblyman Edward K. Gill, who died of heart disease.
6. Martin won a January 1985 special election to complete the unexpired term of Assemblyman Dean Gallo, who resigned to join the U.S. House of Representatives.
7. Randall won a March 1985 special election to complete the unexpired term of Assemblyman John W. Markert.

Incumbents not running for re-election • Summary of races • District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 9 • District 10 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 14 • District 15 • District 16 • District 17 • District 18 • District 19 • District 20 • District 21 • District 22 • District 23 • District 24 • District 25 • District 26 • District 27 • District 28 • District 29 • District 30 • District 31 • District 32 • District 33 • District 34 • District 35 • District 36 • District 37 • District 38 • District 39 • District 40

Close races

Districts where the difference of total votes between the top-two parties was under 10%:

1. District 10, 0.2% gain R
2. District 14, 2.8% gain R
3. District 3, 3.8% gain
4. District 19, 4.0%
5. District 13, 4.0% gain
6. District 18, 5.6%
7. District 37, 7.8%
8. District 4, 8.2%
9. District 17, 8.2% gain D
10. District 30, 8.6% gain
11. District 36, 9.2% gain
12. District 32, 9.6% gain
13. District 33, 9.6% gain

District 1

See also: 1st Legislative District (New Jersey)

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joseph W. Chinnici, incumbent Assembly member from Bridgeton since 1972 (Regular Republican Party)
• Guy F. Muziani, incumbent Assembly member from Wildwood since 1982 (Regular Republican Party)

Results

1985 Republican primary ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Guy F. Muziani (incumbent)	8,500	50.15%
	Republican	Joseph W. Chinnici (incumbent)	8,450	49.85%
Total votes			16,950	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Peter L. Amico, forklift innovator from Vineland (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Raymond A. Batten, prosecutor (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1985 Democratic primary ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Raymond A. Batten	3,314	50.28%
	Democratic	Peter L. Amico	3,277	49.72%
Total votes			6,591	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Peter L. Amico, forklift innovator from Vineland (Democratic)
• Raymond A. Batten, prosecutor (Democratic)
• Joseph W. Chinnici, incumbent Assembly member from Bridgeton since 1972 (Republican)
• Guy F. Muziani, incumbent Assembly member from Wildwood since 1982 (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Joseph W. Chinnici (incumbent)	35,610	33.7	5.5
	Republican	Guy F. Muziani (incumbent)	33,978	32.1	6.0
	Democratic	Raymond A. Batten	18,794	17.8	8.0
	Democratic	Peter L. Amico	17,407	16.5	3.4
Total votes			'105,789'	'100.0'

District 2

See also: 2nd Legislative District (New Jersey)

Republican primary

Candidates

• Dolores G. Cooper, incumbent Assembly member from Brigantine since 1982 (Regular Republican)
• J. Edward Kline, incumbent Assembly member from Atlantic City since 1984 (Regular Republican)

Results

1985 Republican primary ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	J. Edward Kline (incumbent)	5,714	50.70%
	Republican	Dolores G. Cooper (incumbent)	5,557	49.30%
Total votes			11,271	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Lillian E. Bryant, daughter of Horace J. Bryant ^[3] (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Joel Jacovitz, real estate devloper (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Israel Mosee, community activist

Results

1985 Democratic primary ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Lillian E. Bryant	3,286	46.39%
	Democratic	Joel Jacovitz	2,844	40.15%
	Democratic	Israel Mosee	954	13.47%
Total votes			7,084	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Lillian E. Bryant, daughter of Horace J. Bryant (Democratic)
• Dolores G. Cooper, incumbent Assembly member from Atlantic City since 1982 (Republican)
• Joel Jacovitz, real estate developer (Democratic)
• J. Edward Kline, incumbent Assembly member from Brigantine since 1984 (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	J. Edward Kline (incumbent)	32,092	34.1	5.6
	Republican	Dolores G. Cooper (incumbent)	27,395	29.1	2.0
	Democratic	Joel Jacovitz	19,899	21.2	1.0
	Democratic	Lillian E. Bryant	14,634	15.6	4.8
Total votes			'94,020'	'100.0'

District 3

See also: 3rd Legislative District (New Jersey)

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Martin A. Herman, incumbent Assembly member from Mickleton since 1974 (Democratic)
• Thomas A. Pankok, incumbent Assembly member from Pennsville since 1982 (Democratic)

Results

1985 Democratic primary ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Martin A. Herman (incumbent)	6,107	50.66%
	Democratic	Thomas A. Pankok (incumbent)	5,949	49.34%
Total votes			12,056	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jack Collins, former Glassboro State College basketball coach and member of the Elmer Board of Education (Regular Republican Organization)
• Gary Stuhltrager, Gloucester County Freeholder (Regular Organization Republican)
• Douglas Zee, fruit grower and farmer ^[4] (Regular Republican - the People's Choice)

Results

1985 Republican primary ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jack Collins	4,098	39.82%
	Republican	Gary W. Stuhltrager	3,154	30.65%
	Republican	Douglas Zee	3,039	29.53%
Total votes			10,291	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Jack Collins, former Glassboro State College basketball coach and member of the Elmer Board of Education (Republican)
• Martin A. Herman, incumbent Assembly member from Mickleton since 1974 (Democratic)
• Thomas A. Pankok, incumbent Assembly member from Pennsville since 1982 (Democratic)
• Gary Stuhltrager, Gloucester County Freeholder (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jack Collins	27,514	26.2	3.3
	Republican	Gary W. Stuhltrager	27,032	25.7	3.5
	Democratic	Martin A. Herman (incumbent)	25,699	24.5	3.7
	Democratic	Thomas A. Pankok (incumbent)	24,796	23.6	3.1
Total votes			'105,041'	'100.0'

District 4

See also: 4th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Anthony S. Marsella, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)
• Dennis L. Riley, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Democratic)
• Frank F. Senatore (Republican)
• William F. Thomson (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Anthony S. Marsella (incumbent)	23,162	27.3	3.4
	Democratic	Dennis L. Riley (incumbent)	22,703	26.8	3.4
	Republican	Frank F. Senatore	19,621	23.1	2.8
	Republican	William F. Thomson	19,307	22.8	3.9
Total votes			'84,793'	'100.0'

District 5

See also: 5th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Charles E. Brimm (Republican)
• Wayne R. Bryant, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)
• Francis J. Gorman, incumbent Assembly member since 1972 (Democratic)
• William M. Terrell (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Francis J. Gorman (incumbent)	22,828	30.9	2.8
	Democratic	Wayne R. Bryant (incumbent)	22,691	30.7	3.6
	Republican	Charles E. Brimm	14,514	19.6	3.3
	Republican	William M. Terrell	13,872	18.8	3.2
Total votes			'73,905'	'100.0'

District 6

See also: 6th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Harry Benn (Democratic)
• John A. Rocco, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Republican)
• Thomas J. Shusted, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 ^[a] (Republican)
• Carl B. Viniar (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	John A. Rocco (incumbent)	32,812	32.7	4.9
	Republican	Thomas J. Shusted (incumbent)	31,679	31.6	3.9
	Democratic	Carl B. Viniar	18,425	18.4	4.8
	Democratic	Harry Benn	17,382	17.3	4.0
Total votes			'100,298'	'100.0'

District 7

See also: 7th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Charles J. Ansert (Republican)
• Renee L. Borstad (Republican)
• Thomas P. Foy, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Democratic)
• Barbara Kalik, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Barbara Faith Kalik (incumbent)	26,452	29.4	1.3
	Democratic	Thomas P. Foy (incumbent)	25,217	28.0	1.8
	Republican	Renee L. Borstad	19,318	21.4	0.3
	Republican	Charles J. Ansert	19,096	21.2	2.9
Total votes			'90,083'	'100.0'

District 8

See also: 8th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Claire B. Cohen (Democratic)
• Harold L. Colburn Jr., incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Republican)
• Bernardo S. Doganiero, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
• Paul Ferguson (Socialist Labor)
• Robert C. Shinn Jr., incumbent Assembly member since February 1985 (Republican)
• Harrison B. Slack (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Harold L. Colburn Jr. (incumbent)	29,150	34.8	3.8
	Republican	Robert C. Shinn Jr. (incumbent)	29,085	34.7	3.2
	Democratic	Claire B. Cohen	12,971	15.5	3.6
	Democratic	Harrison B. Slack	12,285	14.7	3.7
	Socialist Labor	Bernardo S. Doganiero	189	0.2	N/A
	Socialist Labor	Paul Ferguson	170	0.2	N/A
Total votes			'83,850'	'100.0'

District 9

See also: 9th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Paul David Hedrich ("Time for Change")
• John T. Hendrickson Jr., incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
• Warren E. Hickman (Democratic)
• Jeffrey Moran, member of the Ocean County Utilities Authority and former member of the Beachwood Borough Council (Republican)
• Jorge A. Rod, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	John T. Hendrickson Jr. (incumbent)	39,031	32.4	0.9
	Republican	Jeffrey Moran	37,877	31.4	1.2
	Democratic	Jorge A. Rod (incumbent)	23,470	19.5	0.4 (10.7)
	Democratic	Warren E. Hickman	19,420	16.1	2.2
	"Time for Change"	Paul David Hedrich	708	0.6	N/A
Total votes			'120,506'	'100.0'

District 10

See also: 10th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• John Paul Doyle, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 and Assembly Majority Leader since 1982 (Democratic)
• Marlene Lynch Ford, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Democratic)
• Wallace Gluck (Libertarian)
• Roden S. Lightbody (Republican)
• Robert Singer, mayor of Lakewood Township (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Paul Doyle (incumbent)	30,055	25.9	3.3
	Republican	Robert Singer	29,621	25.5	1.9
	Republican	Roden S. Lightbody	28,179	24.2	3.5
	Democratic	Marlene Lynch Ford (incumbent)	28,159	24.2	1.5
	Libertarian	Wallace Gluck	217	0.2	N/A
Total votes			'116,231'	'100.0'

District 11

See also: 11th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Craig Alan Frankel (Democratic)
• Daniel P. Jacobson, member of the Ocean Township Council (Democratic)
• Joseph A. Palaia, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
• Anthony M. Villane, incumbent Assembly member since 1976 (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Joseph A. Palaia (incumbent)	35,629	34.4	5.1
	Republican	Anthony M. “Doc” Villane (incumbent)	35,291	34.1	4.9
	Democratic	Craig Alan Frankel	16,298	15.8	5.0
	Democratic	Daniel P. Jacobson	16,242	15.7	5.1
Total votes			'103,460'	'100.0'

District 12

See also: 12th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• John O. Bennett, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Republican)
• Michael L. Detzky (Democratic)
• Donald M. Lomurro (Democratic)
• Marie Sheehan Muhler, incumbent Assembly member since 1976 (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	John O. Bennett (incumbent)	33,205	32.5	2.6
	Republican	Marie Sheehan Muhler (incumbent)	32,346	31.6	2.0
	Democratic	Donald M. Lomurro	18,584	18.2	2.3
	Democratic	Michael L. Detzky	18,129	17.7	2.3
Total votes			'102,264'	'100.0'

District 13

See also: 13th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Joseph Azzolina, former member of the New Jersey Senate and Assembly (Republican)
• William Flynn, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 (Democratic)
• Joann H. Smith, former member of the Old Bridge Township Council (Republican)
• Jacqueline Walker, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Joseph Azzolina	26,565	26.3	2.5
	Republican	Joann H. Smith	25,970	25.7	4.1
	Democratic	William E. Flynn (incumbent)	24,418	24.2	3.6
	Democratic	Jacqueline Walker (incumbent)	24,058	23.8	3.0
Total votes			'101,011'	'100.0'

District 14

See also: 14th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Joseph L. Bocchini Jr., incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)
• Thomas Colitsas, West Windsor accountant and candidate for State Senate in 1981 ^[5] (Republican)
• Joseph D. Patero, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 (Democratic)
• John K. Rafferty, mayor of Hamilton Township and candidate for Governor in 1981 (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Joseph L. Bocchini, Jr. (incumbent)	28,476	26.5	2.0
	Republican	John K. Rafferty	27,960	26.1	3.8
	Democratic	Joseph D. Patero (incumbent)	26,707	24.9	3.2
	Republican	Thomas Colitsas	24,189	22.5	1.4
Total votes			'107,332'	'100.0'

District 15

See also: 15th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Barbara Marrow (Republican)
• Mary Ann McKee (Republican)
• Gerald S. Naples, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)
• John S. Watson, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John S. Watson (incumbent)	25,173	28.2	3.0
	Democratic	Gerald S. Naples (incumbent)	24,893	27.9	3.0
	Republican	Barbara Marrow	19,818	22.2	3.0
	Republican	Mary Ann McKee	19,413	21.7	3.0
Total votes			'89,297'	'100.0'

District 16

See also: 16th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Stephen Friedlander (Libertarian)
• Walter J. Kavanaugh, incumbent Assembly member since 1976 (Republican)
• William R. Norris II (Democratic)
• John S. Penn, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Republican)
• Frank M. Reskin (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Walter J. Kavanaugh (incumbent)	37,577	38.9	4.5
	Republican	John S. Penn (incumbent)	35,258	36.5	5.5
	Democratic	William R. Norris II	11,884	12.3	4.8
	Democratic	Frank M. Reskin	11,596	12.0	4.3
	Libertarian	Stephen Friedlander	363	0.4	0.8
Total votes			'96,678'	'100.0'

District 17

See also: 17th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	David C. Schwartz (incumbent)	21,174	28.1	4.4
	Democratic	Bob Smith	19,556	26.0	6.1
	Republican	Angela L. Perun (incumbent)	19,104	25.4	7.4 ( 6.7)
	Republican	Francis J. Coury	15,503	20.6	4.1
Total votes			'75,337'	'100.0'

District 18

See also: 18th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Michael Liebowitz (Republican)
• S. Elliott Mayo (Republican)
• Thomas H. Paterniti, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Democratic)
• Frank M. Pelly, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Thomas H. Paterniti (incumbent)	30,169	26.7	1.8
	Democratic	Frank M. Pelly (incumbent)	29,490	26.1	2.2
	Republican	S. Elliott Mayo	27,101	24.0	2.1
	Republican	Michael Leibowitz	26,280	23.2	1.9
Total votes			113,040	100.0

District 19

See also: 19th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Robert De Santis (Republican)
• Alan Karcher, Speaker of the General Assembly since 1982 and incumbent Assembly member since 1974 (Democratic)
• George Otlowski, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 and mayor of Perth Amboy (Democratic)
• Emery Z. Toth (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	George J. Otlowski (incumbent)	26,187	26.7	3.3
	Democratic	Alan J. Karcher (incumbent)	24,803	25.3	2.8
	Republican	Emery Z. Toth	23,673	24.1	2.8
	Republican	Robert De Santis	23,544	24.0	3.4
Total votes			'98,207'	'100.0'

District 20

See also: 20th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Tom Dunn, mayor of Elizabeth and former member of the State Senate (Experienced-Competent-Courageous)
• Thomas J. Deverin, incumbent Assembly member since 1970 (Democratic)
• George Hudak, mayor of Linden (Democratic)
• Alice Holzapfel (Republican)
• Michael A. Posnock (Republican)
• Rose Zeidwerg Monyek, perennial candidate ("Inflation Fighting Housewife")

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Thomas J. Deverin (incumbent)	19,892	25.5	9.4
	Democratic	George Hudak	18,085	23.1	11.7
	Republican	Michael A. Posnock	14,617	18.7	3.3
	Republican	Alice A. Holzapfel	13,134	16.8	1.8
	Experienced-Competent-Courageous	Tom Dunn	10,174	13.0	N/A
	"Inflation Fighting Housewife"	Rose Zeidwerg Monyek	2,240	2.9	N/A
Total votes			'78,142'	'100.0'

District 21

See also: 21st Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Peter J. Genova, incumbent Assembly member since February 1985 (Republican)
• Chuck Hardwick, Assembly Minority Leader and incumbent Assembly member since 1978 (Republican)
• Livio Mancino (Democratic)
• Fred Palensar III (Independent)
• Andrew Ruotolo, former Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Chuck Hardwick (incumbent)	36,474	32.9	5.9
	Republican	Peter J. Genova (incumbent)	34,625	31.2	5.2
	Democratic	Andrew K. Ruotolo, Jr.	20,526	18.5	5.3
	Democratic	Livio Mancino	18,408	16.6	6.6
	Independent	Fred Palensar III	818	0.7	N/A
Total votes			'110,851'	'100.0'

District 22

See also: 22nd Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Bob Franks, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Republican)
• Florence Martone (Democratic)
• Maureen Ogden, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
• John F. Tully Jr. (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Maureen Ogden (incumbent)	39,939	36.1	2.4
	Republican	Bob Franks (incumbent)	39,284	35.5	2.4
	Democratic	John F. Tully, Jr.	15,729	14.2	2.6
	Democratic	Florence Martone	15,650	14.1	2.2
Total votes			'110,602'	'100.0'

District 23

See also: 23rd Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Richard C. Allen (Democratic)
• Karl Weidel, incumbent Assembly member since 1970 (Republican)
• Dick Zimmer, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Richard A. Zimmer (incumbent)	34,051	44.0	9.4
	Republican	Karl Weidel (incumbent)	32,587	42.1	7.8
	Democratic	Richard C. Allen	10,774	13.9	3.3
Total votes			'77,412'	'100.0'

District 24

See also: 24th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Robert T. Davis (Democratic)
• Chuck Haytaian, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
• John P. Kilroy Jr. (Democratic)
• Robert E. Littell, incumbent Assembly member since 1968 (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Robert E. Littell (incumbent)	30,616	37.3	1.3
	Republican	Garabed “Chuck” Haytaian (incumbent)	29,094	35.4	0.7
	Democratic	Robert T. Davis	12,806	15.6	0.4
	Democratic	John P. Kilroy, Jr.	9,617	11.7	2.3
Total votes			'82,133'	'100.0'

District 25

See also: 25th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Arthur R. Albohn, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Republican)
• Donald Cresitello, former mayor of Morristown (Democratic)
• Rodney Frelinghuysen, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Republican)
• Carl A. Mottey (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (incumbent)	31,695	37.1	5.4
	Republican	Arthur R. Albohn (incumbent)	29,043	34.0	4.6
	Democratic	Donald Cresitello	12,652	14.8	4.9
	Democratic	Carl A. Mottey	11,955	14.0	5.2
Total votes			85,345	100.0

District 26

See also: 26th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Ralph A. Loveys, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Republican)
• Robert Martin, incumbent Assembly member since February 1985 (Republican)
• Claude C. Post (Democratic)
• Joseph V. Vender (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Robert J. Martin (incumbent)	31,943	37.6	1.4
	Republican	Ralph A. Loveys (incumbent)	31,898	37.5	4.7
	Democratic	Claude C. Post	10,697	12.6	3.0
	Democratic	Joseph V. Vender	10,425	12.3	3.1
Total votes			'84,963'	'100.0'

District 27

See also: 27th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Jean Brozyna (Republican)
• Chandler Dennis (Republican)
• Mildred Barry Garvin, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 (Democratic)
• Harry A. McEnroe, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Harry A. McEnroe (incumbent)	20,780	31.5	5.4
	Democratic	Mildred Barry Garvin (incumbent)	20,680	31.3	5.1
	Republican	Jean Brozyna	12,345	18.7	4.9
	Republican	Chandler Dennis	12,167	18.4	5.4
Total votes			'65,972'	'100.0'

District 28

See also: 28th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Michael Adubato, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 (Democratic)
• Joe Imperiale
• Jose Linares, attorney (Republican)
• James Zangari, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Michael F. Adubato (incumbent)	12,495	30.4	4.1
	Democratic	James Zangari (incumbent)	12,092	29.4	3.0
	Republican	Joe Imperiale	8,604	20.9	8.3
	Republican	Jose Linares	7,896	19.2	8.5
Total votes			'41,087'	'100.0'

District 29

See also: 29th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Willie B. Brown, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 (Democratic)
• Kurt A. Culbreath (Republican)
• Eugene H. Thompson, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 (Democratic)
• Della Moses Walker (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Willie B. Brown (incumbent)	12,736	35.2	7.1
	Democratic	Eugene H. Thompson (incumbent)	12,224	33.7	7.9
	Republican	Della Moses Walker	5,852	16.2	7.6
	Republican	Kurt A. Culbreath	5,420	15.0	7.5
Total votes			'36,232'	'100.0'

District 30

See also: 30th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Steve Adubato Jr., incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Democratic)
• Marion Crecco, advertising executive and chair of the Bloomfield Republican Party Committee (Republican)
• Buddy Fortunato, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 (Democratic)
• John V. Kelly, former Assembly member from Nutley (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	John V. Kelly	30,820	28.3	3.1
	Republican	Marion Crecco	28,268	26.0	8.4
	Democratic	Stephen N. Adubato, Jr. (incumbent)	25,505	23.4	3.2
	Democratic	Buddy Fortunato (incumbent)	24,290	22.3	6.0
Total votes			'108,883'	'100.0'

District 31

See also: 31st Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Nat Amadeo (Republican)
• Joseph Charles, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)
• Joseph Doria, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Democratic)
• Bruce M. Shipitofsky (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Joseph V. Doria, Jr. (incumbent)	25,613	31.8	8.6
	Democratic	Joseph Charles, Jr. (incumbent)	24,612	30.6	8.8
	Republican	Nat S. Amadeo	15,380	19.1	9.1
	Republican	Bruce M. Shipitofsky	14,942	18.6	9.5
Total votes			80,547	100.0

District 32

See also: 32nd Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Charles J. Catrillo, director of water for Jersey City (Republican)
• Paul Cuprowski, incumbent Assembly member since 1983 (Democratic)
• Frank J. Gargiulo (Republican)
• Edith M. Shaw (Politicians Are Crooks)
• Herbert H. Shaw, perennial candidate (Politicians Are Crooks)
• Anthony P. Vanieri, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Frank J. Gargiulo	25,179	27.1	10.4
	Republican	Charles J. Catrillo	24,798	26.7	10.4
	Democratic	Paul Cuprowski (incumbent)	21,018	22.7	9.4
	Democratic	Anthony P. Vainieri (incumbent)	19,977	21.5	10.0
	Politicians Are Crooks	Edith M. Shaw	896	1.0	0.8
	Politicians Are Crooks	Herbert H. Shaw	877	0.9	0.7
Total votes			'92,745'	'100.0'

District 33

See also: 33rd Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Jose Arango (Republican)
• Ronald Dario, member of the Union City Commission (Republican)
• Mario R. Hernandez (Democratic)
• Robert Ranieri, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Ronald A. Dario	20,422	27.9	10.0
	Republican	Jose O. Arango	19,748	26.9	9.7
	Democratic	Robert A. Ranieri (incumbent)	17,443	23.8	8.9
	Democratic	Mario R. Hernandez	15,671	21.4	10.8
Total votes			'73,284'	'100.0'

District 34

See also: 34th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Elisa Leib (Democratic)
• Newton Edward Miller, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Republican)
• Joseph F. Palumbo (Democratic)
• Gerald H. Zecker, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Gerald H. Zecker (incumbent)	32,025	32.3	6.1
	Republican	Newton E. Miller (incumbent)	31,791	32.1	5.4
	Democratic	Joseph F. Palumbo	17,784	18.0	5.5
	Democratic	Elisa Leib	17,411	17.6	4.1
Total votes			'99,011'	'100.0'

District 35

See also: 35th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• John Girgenti, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 (Democratic)
• Vincent O. Pellecchia, incumbent Assembly member since 1972 (Democratic)
• Walter W. Porter Jr. (Republican)
• Kenneth Van Rye (Republican)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John A. Girgenti (incumbent)	18,634	30.2	7.4
	Democratic	Vincent “Ozzie” Pellecchia (incumbent)	16,204	26.3	8.8
	Republican	Walter W. Porter, Jr.	13,538	21.9	8.0
	Republican	Kenneth Van Rye	13,352	21.6	8.2
Total votes			'61,728'	'100.0'

District 36

See also: 36th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Paul DiGaetano, member of the Passaic City Council (Republican)
• Kathleen Donovan, Lyndhurst public defender (Republican)
• Robert P. Hollenbeck, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 (Democratic)
• Richard F. Visotcky, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Kathleen A. Donovan	24,775	27.4	7.4
	Republican	Paul DiGaetano	24,555	27.2	7.5
	Democratic	Robert P. Hollenbeck (incumbent)	21,295	23.6	7.5
	Democratic	Richard F. Visotcky (incumbent)	19,764	21.9	7.2
Total votes			'90,389'	'100.0'

District 37

See also: 37th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Byron Baer, incumbent Assembly member since 1972 (Democratic)
• Nicholas Corbiscello (Republican)
• Martin Katz (Republican)
• D. Bennett Mazur, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	D. Bennett Mazur (incumbent)	27,376	27.0	3.9
	Democratic	Byron Baer (incumbent)	27,335	26.9	4.5
	Republican	Nicholas Corbiscello	24,300	23.9	5.0
	Republican	Martin Katz	22,453	22.1	3.4
Total votes			'101,464'	'100.0'

District 38

See also: 38th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Thomas K. Hynes (Democratic)
• Louis F. Kosco, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Republican)
• Richard Kraus (Libertarian)
• Pat Schuber, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
• David S. Turetsky (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	William P. Schuber (incumbent)	29,606	30.8	3.9
	Republican	Louis F. Kosco (incumbent)	29,096	30.2	3.1
	Democratic	Thomas K. Hynes	19,033	19.8	3.9
	Democratic	David S. Turetsky	18,190	18.9	3.5
	Libertarian	Richard Kraus	313	0.3	N/A
Total votes			'96,238'	'100.0'

District 39

See also: 39th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Joe Ferriero, member of the Dumont Borough Council (Democratic)
• Elizabeth Randall, assistant counsel to Governor Thomas Kean (Republican)
• John E. Rooney, incumbent Assembly member since 1983 (Republican)
• Fay Yeager (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Elizabeth E. Randall	35,172	33.3	4.4
	Republican	John E. Rooney (incumbent)	33,358	31.6	2.9
	Democratic	Joseph A. Ferriero	18,714	17.7	4.2
	Democratic	Fay Yeager	18,257	17.3	3.2
Total votes			105,501	100.0

District 40

See also: 40th Legislative District (New Jersey)

General election

Candidates

• Carmine J. Cicchino (Democratic)
• Nicholas Felice, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
• Walter M. D. Kern, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 (Republican)
• Judy Miller (Democratic)

Results

1985 general election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Walter M. D. Kern, Jr. (incumbent)	36,476	35.9	1.3
	Republican	Nicholas R. Felice (incumbent)	36,369	35.8	1.9
	Democratic	Judy Miller	14,590	14.4	1.6
	Democratic	Carmine J. Cicchino	14,050	13.8	1.7
Total votes			'101,485'	'100.0'

Notes

1. Shusted previously served in the Assembly from 1970 to 1971.

References

1. "Candidates for the Office of General Assembly" (PDF). Retrieved April 7, 2025.
2. "Candidates for the Office of General Assembly" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 5, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
3. Lopez, Steve (July 14, 1997). "IN THE NAME OF HER FATHER". TIME. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
4. kocon. "2005 Distinguished Service Award Recipients". Department of Agriculture. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
5. Wildstein, David (March 27, 2020). "Franny McManimon, former state senator, dies at 93". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved April 3, 2025.