2001 New Jersey General Assembly election

Last updated

2001 New Jersey General Assembly election
Flag of New Jersey.svg
← 1999November 6, 2001 (2001-11-06) 2003  →
All 80 seats to the General Assembly
41 seats needed for a majority
 Majority partyMinority party
 
Leader Joseph J. Roberts
(stepped down)		 Jack Collins
(retired)
Party Democratic Republican
Leader sinceJanuary 12, 1998January 9, 1996
Leader's seat 5th (Bellmawr) 3rd (Gloucester City)
Last election3545
Seats won4435
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 9Decrease2.svg 9
2001 New Jersey General Assembly election map.svg
Results:
     Democratic gain
     Democratic hold     Republican hold
Speaker before election

Jack Collins
Republican

Elected Speaker

Albio Sires
Democratic

The 2001 New Jersey General Assembly elections were held on November 6, 2001, for all 80 seats in the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature. The election coincided with a gubernatorial election where Democrat Jim McGreevey won. Republicans held a 45-35 majority in the lower house prior to the election. The members of the New Jersey Legislature are chosen from 40 electoral districts. Each district elects one state senator and two State Assembly members. New Jersey uses coterminous legislative districts for both its State Senate and General Assembly. This was the first election under the maps from the 2000 census.

Contents

The Democratic Party flipped the chamber with a 44-36 majority. As of 2025, Democrats continue to hold a majority in the General Assembly. Democrats were able to flip one seat in the 1st, 36th, and 38th districts, and both seats in the 3rd, 22nd, and 34th.

Background

Redistricting

New Jersey Legislative Districts Map (1991).svg
1992–02
New Jersey Legislative Districts Map (2001).svg
2002–2012
New Jersey Legislature before (left) and after (right) the 2001 redistricting

The new map was based on a revised Democratic map chosen by Professor Larry Bartels of Princeton University, the non-partisan member of the reapportionment commission. [1] Republicans challenged the district map under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, arguing that by shifting some African-American and Hispanic voters out of three predominantly minority districts in and around Newark and spreading them to other, mostly white districts, the plan diluted minority voting strength. The case was rejected by the U.S. Court for the District of New Jersey. [1] The Republican suit was dismissed partly under the influence of the near-unanimous support of New Jersey's incumbent minority legislators for the Democratic claim that their map would result in more minority representation, rather than less. [1]

Incumbents not seeking re-election

Democratic

Republican

[2]

Summary of results by district

Legislative DistrictPosition Incumbent PartyElected Assembly MemberParty
1st [3] 1 Nicholas Asselta Republican Nicholas Asselta Republican
2 John C. Gibson Republican Jeff Van Drew Democratic
2nd [4] 1 Kenneth LeFevre Republican Paul R. D'Amato Republican
2 Francis J. Blee Republican Francis J. Blee Republican
3rd [5] 1 Jack Collins Republican John J. Burzichelli Democrat
2 Gary Stuhltrager Republican Douglas H. Fisher Democrat
4th [6] 1 Robert J. Smith II Democrat Robert J. Smith II Democrat
2 George Geist Republican George Geist Republican
5th [7] 1 Nilsa Cruz-Perez Democrat Nilsa Cruz-Perez Democrat
2 Joseph J. Roberts Democrat Joseph J. Roberts Democrat
6th [8] 1 Louis Greenwald Democrat Louis Greenwald Democrat
2 Mary Previte Democrat Mary Previte Democrat
7th [9] 1 Herb Conaway Democrat Herb Conaway Democrat
2 Jack Conners Democrat Jack Conners Democrat
8th [10] 1 Francis Bodine Republican Francis Bodine Republican
2 Larry Chatzidakis Republican Larry Chatzidakis Republican
9th [11] 1 Jeffrey Moran Republican Jeffrey Moran Republican
2 Christopher J. Connors Republican Christopher J. Connors Republican
10th [12] 1 James W. Holzapfel Republican James W. Holzapfel Republican
2 David W. Wolfe Republican David W. Wolfe Republican
11th [13] 1 Thomas S. Smith Republican Thomas S. Smith Republican
2 Steve Corodemus Republican Steve Corodemus Republican
12th [14] 1 Clare Farragher Republican Clare Farragher Republican
2 Michael Arnone Republican Michael Arnone Republican
13th [15] 1 Samuel D. Thompson Republican Samuel D. Thompson Republican
2 Joseph Azzolina Republican Joseph Azzolina Republican
14th [16] 1 Gary Guear Democrat Gary Guear Democrat
2 Linda Greenstein Democrat Linda Greenstein Democrat
15th [17] 1 Bonnie Watson Coleman Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman Democrat
2 Reed Gusciora Democrat Reed Gusciora Democrat
16th [18] 1 Peter Biondi Republican Peter Biondi Republican
2 Christopher Bateman Republican Christopher Bateman Republican
17th [19] 1 Bob Smith Democrat Upendra Chivukula Democrat
2 Jerry Green Democrat Joseph V. Egan Democrat
18th [20] 1 Peter Barnes Democrat Peter Barnes Democrat
2 Barbara Buono Democrat Patrick J. Diegnan Democrat
19th [21] 1 Arline Friscia Democrat Arline Friscia Democrat
2 John Wisniewski Democrat John Wisniewski Democrat
20th [22] 1 Neil M. Cohen Democrat Neil M. Cohen Democrat
2 Joseph Suliga Democrat Joseph Cryan Democrat
21st [23] 1 Joel Weingarten Republican Thomas Kean Jr. [a] Republican
2 Eric Munoz Republican Eric Munoz Republican
22nd [24] 1 Richard Bagger Republican Linda Stender Democrat
2 Thomas Kean Jr. Republican Jerry Green [b] Democrat
23rd [25] 1 Leonard Lance Republican Michael J. Doherty Republican
2 Connie Myers Republican Connie Myers Republican
24th [26] 1 Guy Gregg Republican Guy Gregg Republican
2 Scott Garrett Republican Scott Garrett Republican
25th [27] 1 Rick Merkt Republican Rick Merkt Republican
2 Michael Patrick Carroll Republican Michael Patrick Carroll Republican
26th [28] 1 Alex DeCroce Republican Alex DeCroce Republican
2 Joseph Pennacchio Republican Joseph Pennacchio Republican
27th [29] 1 LeRoy J. Jones Jr. Democrat John F. McKeon Democrat
2 Nia Gill Democrat Mims Hackett Democrat
28th [30] 1 Craig A. Stanley Democrat Craig A. Stanley Democrat
2 Wilfredo Caraballo Democrat Donald Kofi Tucker [c] Democrat
29th [31] 1 William D. Payne Democrat William D. Payne Democrat
2 Donald Kofi Tucker Democrat Wilfredo Caraballo [d] Democrat
30th [32] 1 Joseph Malone Republican Joseph Malone Republican
2 Melvin Cottrell Republican Melvin Cottrell Republican
31st [33] 1 Joseph Doria Democrat Joseph Doria Democrat
2 Joseph Charles Democrat Elba Perez-Cinciarelli Democrat
32nd [34] 1 Joan M. Quigley Democrat Joan Quigley Democrat
2 Anthony Impreveduto Democrat Anthony Impreveduto Democrat
33rd [35] 1 Albio Sires Democrat Albio Sires Democrat
2 Rafael Fraguela Democrat Rafael Fraguela Democrat
34th [36] 1 Marion Crecco Republican Peter C. Eagler Democrat
2 Gerald H. Zecker Republican Willis Edwards Democrat
35th [37] 1 Nellie Pou Democrat Nellie Pou Democrat
2 Alfred Steele Democrat Alfred Steele Democrat
36th [38] 1 Paul DiGaetano Republican Paul DiGaetano Republican
2 John V. Kelly Republican Paul Sarlo Democrat
37th [39] 1 Ken Zisa Democrat Gordon M. Johnson Democrat
2 Loretta Weinberg Democrat Loretta Weinberg Democrat
38th [40] 1 Guy Talarico Republican Matt Ahearn Democrat
2 Rose Marie Heck Republican Rose Marie Heck Republican
39th [41] 1 Charlotte Vandervalk Republican Charlotte Vandervalk Republican
2 John E. Rooney Republican John E. Rooney Republican
40th [42] 1 Nicholas Felice Republican Kevin J. O'Toole Republican
2 David C. Russo Republican David Russo Republican

Close races

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

  1. District 1, 9.8%gain D
  2. District 3, 9.4% gain
  3. District 4, 1.4%
  4. District 12, 7.7%
  5. District 14, 7.6%
  6. District 36, 1.8% gain D
  7. District 38, 0.2% gain D

List 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

District 1

New Jersey general election, 2001 [43]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Nicholas Asselta 36,392 29.6
Democratic Jeff Van Drew 32,271 26.3
Republican John C. Gibson 31,06725.3
Democratic Douglas Jones-Romero23,14718.8
Total votes122,877 100.0

District 2

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Paul R. D'Amato 29,427 28.1
Republican Frank Blee 29,010 27.7
Democratic Fred Scerni 22,83321.8
Democratic Dianna W. Fauntleroy22,59721.6
Green Robert Paul Gabrielsky9410.9
Total votes104,808 100.0

District 3

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Douglas H. Fisher 31,886 28.1
Democratic John J. Burzichelli 30,213 26.6
Republican Michael H. Facemyer25,82322.8
Republican Harold U. Johnson25,50922.5
Total votes113,431 100.0

District 4

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican George F. Geist 26,825 28.0
Democratic Robert J. Smith 24,845 25.9
Democratic David F. Carlamere23,72924.8
Republican Sherie Y. Jenkins20,42821.3
Total votes95,827 100.0

District 5

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joe Roberts 32,224 43.0
Democratic Nilsa Cruz-Perez 30,087 40.1
Republican Ella Hilton12,65916.9
Total votes74,970 100.0

District 6

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Louis D. Greenwald 38,327 32.7
Democratic Mary T. Previte 37,895 32.3
Republican Anthony "Tony" Clark20,68817.6
Republican Lou Harvey20,45217.4
Total votes117,362 100.0

District 7

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jack Conners 31,703 29.7
Democratic Herb Conaway 31,547 29.5
Republican Clara Ruvolo21,74020.3
Republican Aubrey A. Fenton21,06619.7
Conservative Hosey Best8500.8
Total votes106,906 100.0

District 8

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Francis L. Bodine 34,972 30.4
Republican Larry Chatzidakis 34,037 29.6
Democratic Carol A. Murphy 23,49620.4
Democratic Thomas J. Price22,62219.6
Total votes115,127 100.0

District 9

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Christopher J. Connors 44,004 30.1
Republican Jeffrey W. Moran 43,178 29.6
Democratic John F. Ryan30,38520.8
Democratic Robert DiBella28,52119.5
Total votes146,088 100.0

District 10

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican David W. Wolfe 36,989 29.2
Republican James W. Holzapfel 36,747 29.0
Democratic John Furey26,72321.1
Democratic Kimberley Casten26,30720.8
Total votes126,766 100.0

District 11

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Steve Corodemus 34,002 29.0
Republican Tom Smith 31,554 26.9
Democratic Jim Reilly25,67421.9
Democratic Warren Goode24,26720.7
Libertarian Robert Hull6760.6
Libertarian John M. Taylor6580.6
Lower Taxes NowKaren Zaletel5920.5
Total votes117,423 100.0

District 12

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Michael J. Arnone 31,794 27.3
Republican Clare M. Farragher 30,476 26.2
Democratic Gordon N. Gemma26,82323.0
Democratic William I. Scherer26,50122.8
Natural Law Mary Jo Christian8650.7
Total votes116,459 100.0

District 13

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Joe Azzolina 33,777 28.9
Republican Samuel D. Thompson 32,397 27.7
Democratic Kevin Graham25,85122.1
Democratic Steven T. Piech23,74120.3
Libertarian Diane Hittner8740.7
We, The PeopleMac Dara F.X. Lyden4220.4
Total votes117,062 100.0

District 14

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Linda R. Greenstein 32,878 27.5
Democratic Gary L. Guear Sr 31,469 26.3
Republican Barbara Wright 27,80323.2
Republican Paul R. Kramer 27,56323.0
Total votes119,713 100.0

District 15

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Bonnie Watson Coleman 30,816 34.0
Democratic Reed Gusciora 30,505 33.6
Republican Thomas Dallessio14,65716.2
Republican Rosanna Dovgala14,07615.5
Libertarian Christopher C. Toto6160.7
Total votes90,670 100.0

District 16

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Christopher “Kip” Bateman 39,136 33.8
Republican Peter J. Biondi 37,788 32.6
Democratic John P. Rooney20,05117.3
Democratic James K. Foohey18,94816.3
Total votes115,923 100.0

District 17

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joseph V. Egan 27,948 33.8
Democratic Upendra J. Chivukula 26,374 31.9
Republican Catherine Barrier14,16117.2
Republican Anthony Mazzola14,08517.1
Total votes82,568 100.0

District 18

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Peter J. Barnes Jr 32,633 33.0
Democratic Patrick Diegnan Jr 30,759 31.1
Republican Norman J. Van Houten18,15218.3
Republican Sylvester Fernandez17,44317.6
Total votes98,987 100.0

District 19

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic John S. Wisniewski 35,090 37.4
Democratic Arline Friscia 33,458 35.7
Republican Billy E. Delgado13,34414.2
Republican Christopher F. Struben11,84412.6
Total votes93,736 100.0

District 20

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Neil M. Cohen 22,457 41.3
Democratic Joseph Cryan 22,162 40.8
Schundler for GovernorDency J. Rivera4,8779.0
Schundler for GovernorRalph J. Fabre4,8528.9
Total votes54,348 100.0

District 21

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Thomas H. Kean, Jr. 44,223 31.8
Republican Eric Munoz 39,457 28.4
Democratic Tom Jardim28,49920.5
Democratic J. Brooke Hern26,89619.3
Total votes139,075 100.0

District 22

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Linda Stender 29,169 30.5
Democratic Jerry Green 28,258 29.6
Republican Patricia Walsh19,61620.5
Republican Gabe Spera18,48619.4
Total votes95,529 100.0

District 23

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Connie Myers 39,313 32.4
Republican Mike Doherty 35,345 29.2
Democratic J. Rebecca Goff19,99516.5
Democratic Thomas E. Palmieri19,45416.1
Warren/Hunterdon IndependentMike King7,0605.8
Total votes121,167 100.0

District 24

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Scott Garrett 38,242 36.3
Republican Guy R. Gregg 36,121 34.2
Democratic Suzanne Patnaude15,75414.9
Democratic Margarita Cart15,36914.6
Total votes105,486 100.0

District 25

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Michael Patrick Carroll 33,426 30.0
Republican Rick Merkt 33,414 30.0
Democratic Ann Huber23,11020.8
Democratic Dick Tighe21,40819.2
Total votes111,358 100.0

District 26

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Alex DeCroce 39,381 34.2
Republican Joseph Pennacchio 37,251 32.4
Democratic Joseph Raich19,49116.9
Democratic Sergio Bio18,87016.4
Total votes114,993 100.0

District 27

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic John F. McKeon 33,866 31.4
Democratic Mims Hackett Jr 31,179 28.9
Republican Muriel M. Shore20,53619.1
Republican Joseph Tempesta20,07418.6
African-Americans For JusticeNatalie Heard1,1831.1
African-Americans For JusticeTobi Moor9300.9
Total votes107,768 100.0

District 28

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Donald Tucker 27,949 37.0
Democratic Craig A. Stanley 27,635 36.6
Republican Charles Daglian9,55712.7
Republican Michael Melham9,04212.0
Conservative Vincent J. Frantantoni8661.1
Independent William Coleman4740.6
Total votes75,523 100.0

District 29

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic William D. Payne 25,422 44.6
Democratic Wilfredo Caraballo 24,739 43.4
Republican Elaine L. Guarino3,5726.3
Republican Tharien Arnold3,2365.7
Total votes56,969 100.0

District 30

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Joseph R. Malone III 30,903 30.6
Republican Melvin Cottrell 29,963 29.6
Democratic Michael L. Broderick20,95920.7
Democratic Lyle M. (Peggi) Sturmfels19,26119.1
Total votes101,086 100.0

District 31

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joseph V. Doria Jr 29,120 37.6
Democratic Elba Perez-Cinciarelli 27,637 35.7
Republican Ira F. Jersey9,88712.8
Republican Ador L. Equipado9,60312.4
Together We'll WinJuanita Lope'z1,2621.6
Total votes77,509 100.0

District 32

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Anthony Impreveduto 27,648 36.7
Democratic Joan Quigley 27,484 36.4
Republican Frances Cohen10,18813.5
Republican Esther Gatria10,08713.4
Total votes75,407 100.0

District 33

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Albio Sires 28,130 37.8
Democratic Rafael J. Fraguela 28,019 37.6
Republican Sergio Alonso9,22912.4
Republican Helen Pinoargotty9,09812.2
Total votes74,476 100.0

District 34

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Peter C. Eagler 31,623 34.4
Democratic Willis Edwards III 29,538 32.1
Republican Gerald H. Zecker 16,30617.7
Republican Natalie R. Esposito14,48415.8
Total votes91,951 100.0

District 35

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Alfred E. Steele 24,880 51.2
Democratic Nellie Pou 23,728 48.8
Total votes48,608 100.0

District 36

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Paul DiGaetano 23,563 26.8
Democratic Paul Sarlo 21,811 24.8
Democratic Walter G. Wargacki20,55423.4
Republican James L. Cassella20,39423.2
Green CoalitionNick Scardigno6020.7
Green CoalitionJohn Zazanis4970.6
Stop Vieques BOMBINGRafael Sanchez4420.5
Total votes87,863 100.0

District 37

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Loretta Weinberg 34,443 34.4
Democratic Gordon M. Johnson 32,687 32.6
Republican Thomas F. Gaffney, Jr.16,73716.7
Republican Sandi Cortazzo16,27016.2
Total votes100,137 100.0

District 38

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Rose Marie Heck 27,055 25.3
Democratic Matt Ahearn 26,919 25.2
Democratic Kay Nest26,58724.9
Republican Nicholas R. Felice 26,25224.6
Total votes106,813 100.0

District 39

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Charlotte Vandervalk 41,586 31.4
Republican John E. Rooney 40,277 30.4
Democratic Linda Mercurio26,44720.0
Democratic Jim Carroll24,03718.2
Total votes132,347 100.0

District 40

New Jersey general election, 2001
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican David C. Russo 38,627 30.7
Republican Kevin J. O'Toole 38,058 30.2
Democratic Frank Delvecchio25,02719.9
Democratic Donna Kurdock24,20119.2
Total votes125,913 100.0

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Redistricted from the 22nd district.
  2. ↑ Redistricted from the 17th district.
  3. ↑ Redistricted from the 29th district.
  4. ↑ Redistricted from the 28th district.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "New Jersey's Redistricting". The New York Times. May 9, 2001. p. 30.
  2. ↑ "New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2001". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  3. ↑ 1st
  4. ↑ 2nd
  5. ↑ 3rd
  6. ↑ 4th
  7. ↑ 5th
  8. ↑ 6th
  9. ↑ 7th
  10. ↑ 8th
  11. ↑ 9th
  12. ↑ 10th
  13. ↑ 11th
  14. ↑ 12th
  15. ↑ 13th
  16. ↑ 14th
  17. ↑ 15th
  18. ↑ 16th
  19. ↑ 17th
  20. ↑ 18th
  21. ↑ 19th
  22. ↑ 20th
  23. ↑ 21st
  24. ↑ 22nd
  25. ↑ 23rd
  26. ↑ 24th
  27. ↑ 25th
  28. ↑ 26th
  29. ↑ 27th
  30. ↑ 28th
  31. ↑ 29th
  32. ↑ 30th
  33. ↑ 31st
  34. ↑ 32nd
  35. ↑ 33rd
  36. ↑ 34th
  37. ↑ 35th
  38. ↑ 36th
  39. ↑ 37th
  40. ↑ 38th
  41. ↑ 39th
  42. ↑ 40th
  43. ↑ "Official List, Candidate Returns for General Assembly for November 2001 General Election" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 9, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
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