The 1990 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 6, 1990, to determine who would represent the people of New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives. This election coincided with national elections for 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.
Despite widespread discontent and anger over tax increases at the state and federal level, all ten incumbent candidates won their races, and the two open seats remained with their respective parties.[1]
Overview
1990 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey[2]
This seat had been vacant since January 16, 1990, when James Florio resigned to take office as Governor of New Jersey. Democrat Rob Andrews won the open race, as well as the simultaneous election to complete Florio's unexpired term. The district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.
Mangini attacked Andrews as a "clone" of his predecessor Florio, the unpopular governor and former Representative. Despite his ties to Florio, even many Republicans conceded that Andrews was the likely favorite to hold the seat, which was heavily Democratic.[5] Mangini ran on a consistent anti-tax theme.[1]
Kapalko sought to tie Pallone to the unpopular incumbent governor, Jim Florio, and his $2.8 billion state tax increase. After Pallone's campaign manager, Joel Berg, admitted to The New York Times that they sought to "airbrush Florio out of the picture," Pallone stated, "There is no question that I have never done anything but support Democratic candidates. I work very hard every November for Democrats, whether it be the Governor or whatever. There is no question I supported him, but Kapalko is trying to make me his campaign manager, which is not the case."[5] Pallone, who had a moderate reputation as an opponent of spending increases in Congress, the New Jersey Senate, and the Monmouth CountyBoard of Chosen Freeholders, was urged by aides to come out directly against the tax increase.[5]
At a candidates' forum in Ocean Township on November 3, protestors carried signs denouncing the Florio tax package. During the forum, Kapalko and independent candidate Richard D. McKean, running on an anti-abortion platform, both criticized Pallone for distancing himself from Florio after serving as chair of his campaign and, in an interview with the Asbury Park Press editorial board, questioning whether he had ever served in that role at all.[5] Despite these attacks, Pallone was widely seen to be leading as the campaign entered its closing days.[5]
Frelinghuysen, who had unsuccessfully run against Courter for this seat in a 1982 open primary, was the early favorite for the nomination. He won the crucial support of the Morris and Somerset Republican organizations, which accounted for about half of the anticipated primary vote.[3][7]
Jack Kemp, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. representative from Buffalo, New York, quarterback for the Buffalo Bills and candidate for president in 1988
Individuals
Roger Stone, Republican campaign strategist (member of campaign staff)
In the general election, Republicans ran radio advertisements including a clip of Chandler praising Governor Florio's "courage" in passing his $2.8 billion tax and addressing state budgetary issues "in a very straightforward way."[5] The ads concluded, "We won't get fooled again."[5]
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