1988 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

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1988 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  

All 14 New Jersey seats to the United States House of Representatives
 Majority partyMinority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election86
Seats won86
Seat changeSteady2.svgSteady2.svg
Popular vote1,336,3241,411,850
Percentage48.1%50.9%
SwingDecrease2.svg 4.1Increase2.svg 3.9

1988 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey.svg

The 1988 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 8, 1988, 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 of the United States, 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

Despite George H.W. Bush's landslide victory in the state's concurrent presidential election, in which he carried all but two congressional districts, the Republican Party made no gains in the House.

Overview

1988 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey [1]
PartyVotesPercentageCandidatesSeats+/–
Democratic 1,336,32548.14%148Steady2.svg
Republican 1,411,84050.86%136Steady2.svg
Libertarian 9,2150.33%70Steady2.svg
Socialist Workers 5,5730.20%20Steady2.svg
Communist 4420.02%10Steady2.svg
Independents12,7090.46%80Steady2.svg
Totals2,776,104100.00%4414Steady2.svg

District 1

1988 New Jersey's 1st congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  James Florio 1983 (3x4 cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee James Florio Frank Cristaudo
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote141,98860,037
Percentage69.9%29.5%

U.S. Representative before election

James Florio
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

James Florio
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat James Florio won. The district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic James Florio (incumbent) 41,745 100.00%
Total votes41,745 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Frank A. Cristaudo 10,403 100.00%
Total votes10,403 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Florio, who had run for governor in 1977 and 1981, was widely considered the leading Democratic contender for 1989. Accordingly, the campaign became a referendum on his potential 1989 candidacy. [3] Cristaudo pointed to Florio's poor congressional attendance during his 1981 campaign and arguing, "The people of this district will be without a Congressman for almost a year in 1989 if they re-elect Mr. Florio, and if he wins the race for governor, they'll have to go through the expense of a special election to pick another Congressman." [3] Cristaudo also criticized Florio for failing to deliver on a promised veterans hospital, which was built in Ocean County instead. [3]

Richard Bartucci, the Libertarian candidate, criticized obstacles to free trade, arguing, "If we don't have free trade that allows goods to cross borders, then armies will cross them." [3]

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic James Florio (incumbent) 141,988 69.89% Decrease2.svg 5.75
Republican Frank A. Cristaudo60,03729.55%Increase2.svg 5.95
Libertarian Richard A. Bartucci1,1250.55%Decrease2.svg 0.20
Total votes203,153 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 2

1988 New Jersey's 2nd congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  William J. Hughes (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee William J. Hughes Kirk W. Conover
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote134,50567,769
Percentage65.7%33.1%

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 Gloucester County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic William J. Hughes (incumbent) 22,411 100.00%
Total votes22,411 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Kirk W. Conover 16,157 84.04%
Republican Thomas M. Warner3,06915.96%
Total votes19,226 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Hughes said that the overriding issue in the campaign should be his record, "whether I have been a good Congressman, have exhibited honesty and integrity, and have been accessible and accountable and whether there is any reason to make a change." [3]

Conover ran on his support of a balanced budget amendment and line-item veto, as well as his support for the Gramm–Rudman–Hollings Balanced Budget Act, which Hughes opposed as a "fiscal straightjacket" which he argued underfunded the United States Coast Guard and other vital services. [3]

Richard Schindenwolf called for abortion to be outlawed and more United States opposition to communism, including the overthrow of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua. He said that the failed Bay of Pigs invasion had "enabled communism to get a toehold in Cuba and paved the way for exportation of communism to other parts of the Caribbean." [3]

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic William J. Hughes (incumbent) 134,505 65.73% Decrease2.svg 1.53
Republican Kirk W. Conover 67,76933.12%Increase2.svg 4.48
Independent Richard A. Schindenwolf Jr.2,3721.16%N/A
Total votes204,646 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 3

1988 New Jersey's 3rd congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  Frank Pallone.png 3x4.svg
Nominee Frank Pallone Joseph Azzolina
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote117,024107,479
Percentage51.6%47.4%

U.S. Representative before election

Vacant

Elected U.S. Representative

Frank Pallone
Democratic

This seat was vacant following the death of incumbent James J. Howard on March 25, 1988. Frank Pallone won the open seat, as well as a special election to complete Howard's unexpired term in office.

This district included parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Withdrew

  • Richard McAleer, car leasing agent and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1982 [5]

Declined

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Frank Pallone 24,105 100.00%
Total votes24,105 100.00%

Special primary results

1988 Democratic special primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Frank Pallone 22,198 100.00%
Total votes22,198 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Withdrew

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Joseph Azzolina 15,433 66.93%
Republican Brian T. Kennedy 3,25114.10%
Republican Scott M. Colabella1,7897.76%
Republican Brian J. Rechten1,5876.88%
Republican John J. Whalen1,0004.34%
Total votes23,060 100.00%

Special primary results

1988 Republican special primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Joseph Azzolina 16,816 84.17%
Republican Scott M. Colabella3,16315.83%
Total votes19,979 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Frank Pallone 117,024 51.64% Decrease2.svg 7.06
Republican Joseph Azzolina 107,47947.43%Increase2.svg 6.13
Libertarian Laura Stewart2,1070.93%N/A
Total votes226,610 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

Special election results

1988 U.S. House special election [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Frank Pallone 116,988 51.95% {{{change}}}
Republican Joseph Azzolina 106,48947.29%
Libertarian Laura Stewart1,7130.76%
Total votes225,190 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 4

1988 New Jersey's 4th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  Chris smith portrait.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Chris Smith Betty Holland
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote155,28379,006
Percentage65.7%33.4%

U.S. Representative before election

Chris Smith
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Chris Smith
Republican

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

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Chris Smith (incumbent) 12,974 100.00%
Total votes12,974 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Betty Holland 21,169 67.38%
Democratic Saul G. Hornik10,24732.62%
Total votes31,416 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Chris Smith (incumbent) 155,283 65.74% Increase2.svg 4.63
Democratic Betty Holland79,00633.45%Decrease2.svg 5.83
Independent Judson M. Carter1,1140.47%N/A
Libertarian Daniel A. Maiullo Jr.7910.33%N/A
Total votes236,194 100.00%
Republican hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 5

1988 New Jersey's 5th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  Marge Roukema.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Marge Roukema Lee Monaco
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote175,56254,828
Percentage75.7%23.6%

U.S. Representative before election

Marge Roukema
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Marge Roukema
Republican

Incumbent Marge Roukema won. This district included parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Marge Roukema (incumbent) 19,101 100.00%
Total votes19,101 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Lee Monaco 14,166 100.00%
Total votes14,166 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Monaco ran a campaign calling for principles of natural law, "to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and care for the elderly" by restricting unnecessary military spending. [12]

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Marge Roukema (incumbent) 175,562 75.69% Increase2.svg 7.69
Democratic Lee Monaco54,82823.64%Decrease2.svg 8.36
Libertarian Daniel M. Karlan1,5460.67%N/A
Total votes231,936 100.00%
Republican hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 6

1988 New Jersey's 6th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  Bernard J. Dwyer.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Bernard J. Dwyer Peter J. Sica
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote120,12574,824
Percentage61.1%38.1%

U.S. Representative before election

Bernard J. Dwyer
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Bernard J. Dwyer
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Bernard J. Dwyer won. This district included parts of Middlesex, Monmouth and Union counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Bernard J. Dwyer (incumbent) 32,303 100.00%
Total votes32,303 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Peter J. Sica 5,047 72.10%
Republican James G. Fennessy1,95327.90%
Total votes7,000 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981 (Democratic)
  • Joan Paltrineri (Workers)
  • Howard F. Schoen (Libertarian)
  • Peter J. Sica, mayor of Carteret [10] (Republican)

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Bernard J. Dwyer (incumbent) 120,125 61.10% Decrease2.svg 7.90
Republican Peter J. Sica74,82438.06%Increase2.svg 9.13
Socialist Workers Joan Paltrineri1,0340.53%N/A
Libertarian Howard F. Schoen6150.31%N/A
Total votes196,598 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 7

1988 New Jersey's 7th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  Matthew J. Rinaldo.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Matt Rinaldo James Hely
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote153,35052,189
Percentage74.6%25.4%

U.S. Representative before election

Matt Rinaldo
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Matt Rinaldo
Republican

Incumbent Matt Rinaldo won. This district included parts of Essex, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Matt Rinaldo (incumbent) 18,018 100.00%
Total votes18,018 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • James Hely, lawyer and member of the Westfield Town Council [10]

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic James Hely 20,198 100.00%
Total votes20,198 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • James Hely, lawyer and member of the Westfield Town Council [10] (Democratic)
  • Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973 (Republican)

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Matt Rinaldo (incumbent) 153,350 74.61% Decrease2.svg 4.43
Democratic James Hely52,18925.39%Increase2.svg 4.43
Total votes205,539 100.00%
Republican hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 8

1988 New Jersey's 8th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  Robert A. Roe.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Robert A. Roe
Party Democratic
Popular vote96,035
Percentage100.0%

U.S. Representative before election

Robert A. Roe
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Robert A. Roe
Democratic

Incumbent Robert Roe won without opposition. This district included parts of Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robert A. Roe (incumbent) 19,173 100.00%
Total votes19,173 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Robert A. Roe 96,035 100.00% Increase2.svg37.21
Total votes96,035 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 9

1988 New Jersey's 9th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  Rep Robert Torricelli.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Bob Torricelli Roger J. Lane
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote142,01268,363
Percentage67.1%32.3%

U.S. Representative before election

Bob Torricelli
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Bob Torricelli
Democratic

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robert G. Torricelli (incumbent) 30,995 100.00%
Total votes30,995 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Roger J. Lane 7,872 100.00%
Total votes7,872 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Richard J. Kemly (Poor Man's)
  • Roger J. Lane, mayor of New Milford [13] (Republican)
  • Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983 (Democratic)

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Bob Torricelli (incumbent) 142,012 67.15% Decrease2.svg 1.87
Republican Roger J. Lane68,36332.32%Increase2.svg 1.34
Independent Richard J. Kemly1,1190.53%N/A
Total votes211,494 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 10

1988 New Jersey's 10th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  Donald Payne, Official Portrait, c122th Congress.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Donald M. Payne Michael Webb
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote84,68113,848
Percentage77.4%12.6%

U.S. Representative before election

Peter W. Rodino
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Donald M. Payne
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Donald M. Payne won. The district included parts of Essex and Union counties.

Payne was the first black Representative elected from New Jersey; this district, which had been majority-black since 1973, had long been expected to elect a black Representative upon Rodino's retirement. [12]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declined

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Donald M. Payne 40,608 73.15%
Democratic Ralph T. Grant Jr.14,90826.85%
Total votes55,516 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Michael Webb, U.S. Department of Education program coordinator [12]

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Michael Webb 562 100.00%
Total votes562 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Alan Bowser (Independent)
  • Mindy Bridno (Socialist Workers)
  • Alvin Curtis (Time for Change)
  • Donald M. Payne, member of the Newark City Council and candidate for this district in 1980 and 1986 (Democratic)
  • Michael Webb, U.S. Department of Education program coordinator [12] (Republican)
Withdrew
  • Anthony Imperiale, former state senator, assemblyman and member of the Newark City Council (People's Choice)

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Donald M. Payne 84,681 77.35% Decrease2.svg18.59
Republican Michael Webb13,84812.65%N/A
Independent Anthony Imperiale (withdrawn)5,4224.95%N/A
Socialist Workers Mindy Bridno4,5394.15%Increase2.svg 0.09
Independent Alvin Curtis5510.50%N/A
Independent Alan Bowser4320.39%N/A
Total votes109,473 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 11

1988 New Jersey's 11th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  Dean Gallo.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Dean Gallo John C. Shaw
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote154,65464,773
Percentage70.5%29.5%

U.S. Representative before election

Dean Gallo
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Dean Gallo
Republican

Incumbent Republican Dean Gallo won. This district consisted of parts of Essex, Morris, Sussex and Warren counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Dean Gallo (incumbent) 24,629 100.00%
Total votes24,629 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic John C. Shaw 15,478 100.00%
Total votes15,478 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • John C. Shaw, supervisor in the office of the Essex County Clerk [12] (Democratic)
  • Dean Gallo, incumbent Representative since 1985 (Republican)
  • Jasper Gould (Populist)

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Dean Gallo (incumbent) 154,654 70.48% Increase2.svg 2.46
Democratic John C. Shaw64,77329.52%Decrease2.svg 2.46
Total votes219,427 100.00%
Republican hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 12

1988 New Jersey's 12th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  Jim Courter.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Jim Courter Norman Weinstein
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote165,91871,596
Percentage69.3%29.9%

U.S. Representative before election

Jim Courter
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Jim Courter
Republican

Incumbent Republican Jim Courter won. This sprawling district included all of Hunterdon County and parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Jim Courter, incumbent Representative since 1979
  • Thomas J. Young

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jim Courter (incumbent) 25,816 89.04%
Republican Thomas J. Young3,17710.96%
Total votes28,993 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Norman J. Weinstein, former president of the Somerville Borough Council and candidate for this district in 1984 [12]

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Norman J. Weinstein 20,599 100.00%
Total votes20,599 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Jim Courter, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Republican)
  • Stephen Friedlander (Libertarian)
  • Norman J. Weinstein, former president of the Somerville Borough Council and candidate for this district in 1984 [12] (Democratic)

Campaign

Despite the district's strong Republican lean, Courter ran an active campaign with frequent television advertising which made no mention of his re-election bid, in order to raise his profile ahead of an anticipated 1989 run for governor. [12]

Weinstein criticized Courter's record on environmental legislation; he received the lowest rating in the New Jersey delegation from the League of Conservation Voters. Courter defended the attack by citing bills he had sponsored protecting clean air and water and restricting offshore dumping and oil drilling. [12] Weinstein also criticized Courter's call to follow Michigan, Florida and New York in restricting lawsuits for all but the most serious automobile injuries and allowing automobile insurers to establish rates, rather than the state government. [12]

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jim Courter (incumbent) 165,918 69.27% Increase2.svg 5.78
Democratic Norman J. Weinstein71,59629.89%Decrease2.svg 6.62
Libertarian Stephen Friedlander2,0230.84%N/A
Total votes239,537 100.00%
Republican hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 13

1988 New Jersey's 13th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  Jim Saxton, official 109th Congress photo.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Jim Saxton Jim Smith
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote167,47073,561
Percentage69.5%30.5%

U.S. Representative before election

Jim Saxton
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Jim Saxton
Republican

Incumbent Republican Jim Saxton won. This district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jim Saxton (incumbent) 23,282 100.00%
Total votes23,282 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Michael DiMarco
  • James B. Smith, former mayor of Mount Holly and nominee for this district in 1984 [14]

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic James B. Smith 20,109 87.02%
Democratic Michael DiMarco3,00012.98%
Total votes23,109 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative since 1984 (Republican)
  • James B. Smith, former mayor of Mount Holly and nominee for this district in 1984 [14] (Democratic)

Campaign

Saxton ran on his support for preserving Social Security benefits and providing home healthcare for the elderly, along with Ronald Reagan's economic program, which he credited for "the economic growth and low unemployment... that we have enjoyed for the last few years." [3]

Smith said he supported trade restrictions on foreign imports to protect American jobs and industry; Saxton supported Reagan's decision to veto such restrictions. [3] Smith also called for the restoration of "impact aid" for public school districts serving families of military personnel, [3] a large number of which lived in this district.

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Jim Saxton (incumbent) 167,470 69.48% Increase2.svg 4.12
Democratic James B. Smith73,56130.52%Decrease2.svg 4.12
Total votes241,031 100.00%
Republican hold Swing {{{swing}}}

District 14

1988 New Jersey's 14th congressional district election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1986 November 8, 1988 (1988-11-08) 1990  
  Frank Guarini-102nd Congress (1991).jpeg 3x4.svg
Nominee Frank Guarini Fred Theemling Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote104,00147,293
Percentage67.3%30.6%

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 Hudson County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Edward A. Allen, pastor of Philemon Missionary Baptist Church in Newark [8]
  • Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979
  • Robert P. Haney Jr., Jersey City attorney and barkeeper [8]

Endorsements

Frank J. Guarini (incumbent)
Local officials
Robert P. Haney Jr.
Federal executive branch officials
Local officials
Organizations
  • Indian-American Political Action Club
  • Indo-American Association of Hudson County Inc.
  • Irish-American Civic Association

Results

1988 Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Frank J. Guarini (incumbent) 35,964 67.01%
Democratic Robert P. Haney Jr.10,68019.90%
Democratic Edward A. Allen7,02713.09%
Total votes53,671 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • James V. McNally
  • Louis Russo

Results

1988 Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican James V. McNally 5,370 76.61%
Republican Louis Russo1,63923.38%
Total votes7,009 100.00%

After the primary, Russo was replaced by Fred Theemling Jr. on the general election ballot.

General election

Candidates

  • Peter Galbo (Independent)
  • Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Democratic)
  • John A. Jones ("All-Peoples Congress")
  • John Rummel (Communist)
  • Fred J. Theemling Jr., former Hudson County assistant prosecutor [15] (Republican)
  • Christopher White (Libertarian)

Results

1988 U.S. House election [1] [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Frank J. Guarini (incumbent) 104,001 67.34% Decrease2.svg 3.33
Republican Fred J. Theemling Jr.47,29330.62%Increase2.svg 3.92
Independent John A. Jones1,3460.87%N/A
Libertarian Christopher White1,0060.65%N/A
Communist John Rummel4420.29%N/A
Independent Peter Galbo3530.23%N/A
Total votes154,440 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing {{{swing}}}

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Anderson, Donnald K. (April 20, 1989). "STATISTICS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 8, 1988" (PDF). Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. p. 32. Retrieved June 23, 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 "Candidates: Office of House of Representatives -- Primary Election, June 7, 1988" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Sullivan, Joseph F. (October 12, 1988). "Aspiring Congressmen Tough Out Jersey Races". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Votes Cast for the Office of United States House of Representatives: General Election, November 8, 1988" (PDF). Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  5. Service, States News (May 22, 1988). "3d-District Race Could Be Costly". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wildstein, David (November 26, 2018). "How Frank Pallone got to Congress". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Sullivan, Joseph F. (June 5, 1988). "POLITICS; One Million Expected At the Polls In Primaries". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sullivan, Joseph F. (June 6, 1988). "Young Lawyer Opposing House Veteran in Jersey". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  9. "Special Elections to Fill a Vacancy: House of Representatives, November 8, 1988" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sullivan, Joseph F. (October 29, 1988). "Jersey Focuses On Tight Race For Congress". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  11. Serrano, Ken. "Marlboro's corrupt past gives way to new era". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Sullivan, Joseph F. (November 5, 1988). "Jersey House Contests Seen As Groundwork for Future". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  13. 1 2 Wildstein, David (June 5, 2024). "Incumbent loses in Wyckoff GOP split; Torricelli's '88 opponent returns". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  14. 1 2 "Jim Smith, three-time Saxton rival, dies". Observer. November 3, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  15. Nieves, Evelyn (October 29, 1992). "A New House District Could Make History". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 16, 2025.