2001 New Jersey Senate election

Last updated

2001 New Jersey Senate elections
Flag of New Jersey.svg
  1997 November 5, 2001 2003  

All 40 seats in the New Jersey State Senate
21 seats needed for a majority
Turnout49% [1] (Decrease2.svg 7pp)
 Majority partyMinority party
  Donald DiFrancesco.jpg Codey2011 (cropped).jpg
Leader Donald DiFrancesco
(retired)
Richard Codey
Party Republican Democratic
Leader's seat 22nd 27th
Last election2416
Seats before2415
Seats won2020
Seat changeDecrease2.svg 4Increase2.svg 5

2001 New Jersey State Senate election.svg
Results by district
     Democratic hold     Democratic gain
     Republican hold

Senate President before election

Donald DiFrancesco
Republican

Elected Senate President

John O. Bennett and Richard Codey

The 2001 New Jersey Senate election was held on November 6. The election took place alongside Jim McGreevey's landslide election as Governor of New Jersey and were held in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks, which killed 750 New Jerseyans [2] and impacted many others. Under a newly redrawn map, Democrats gained five seats to split control of the Senate evenly. Democrats flipped districts 3 (after the incumbent switched parties earlier in the year), 18 (which was vacant), 22, 34, and 38.

Contents

A power-sharing agreement was reached with John O. Bennett and Richard Codey as co-presidents of the Senate. This is the last time Democrats did not win an outright majority of New Jersey State Senate seats, as well as the last time any Senate seats in North Jersey changed parties.

Contents
Incumbents not runningSummary of results
By District: 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940

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

As required, the New Jersey legislature redistricted its state legislative districts in advance of the 2001 election. Most Senators remained in their existing districts, though Senator Kevin J. O'Toole was redistricted to the 40th district and chose not to challenge.

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. [3]

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. [3] 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. [3]

Incumbents not running for re-election

Democratic

Republican

Summary of results by State Senate district

District Incumbent PartyElected SenatorParty
1st Legislative District James Cafiero RepJames CafieroRep
2nd Legislative District William Gormley RepWilliam GormleyRep
3rd Legislative District Raymond Zane Rep [a] Steve Sweeney Dem
4th Legislative District John Matheussen RepJohn MatheussenRep
5th Legislative District Wayne R. Bryant DemWayne R. BryantDem
6th Legislative District John Adler DemJohn AdlerDem
7th Legislative District Diane Allen RepDiane AllenRep
8th Legislative District Martha W. Bark RepMartha W. BarkRep
9th Legislative District Leonard T. Connors RepLeonard T. ConnorsRep
10th Legislative District Andrew R. Ciesla RepAndrew R. CieslaRep
11th Legislative District Joseph A. Palaia RepJoseph A. PalaiaRep
12th Legislative District John O. Bennett RepJohn O. BennettRep
13th Legislative District Joe Kyrillos RepJoe KyrillosRep
14th Legislative District Peter Inverso RepPeter InversoRep
15th Legislative District Shirley Turner DemShirley TurnerDem
16th Legislative District Walter J. Kavanaugh RepWalter J. KavanaughRep
17th Legislative District John A. Lynch Jr. Dem Bob Smith Dem
18th Legislative District Vacant [b] Barbara Buono Dem
19th Legislative District Joe Vitale DemJoe VitaleDem
20th Legislative District Raymond Lesniak DemRaymond LesniakDem
21st Legislative District Kevin O'Toole [c] [d] Rep Richard Bagger Rep
22nd Legislative District Donald DiFrancesco Rep Joseph Suliga Dem
23rd Legislative District William E. Schluter Rep Leonard Lance Rep
24th Legislative District Robert Littell RepRobert LittellRep
25th Legislative District Anthony Bucco RepAnthony BuccoRep
26th Legislative District Robert Martin RepRobert MartinRep
27th Legislative District Richard Codey DemRichard CodeyDem
28th Legislative District Ronald Rice DemRonald RiceDem
29th Legislative District Sharpe James [e] DemSharpe JamesDem
30th Legislative District Robert W. Singer RepRobert W. SingerRep
31st Legislative District Edward T. O'Connor Jr. Dem Joseph Charles Dem
32nd Legislative District Nicholas Sacco DemNicholas SaccoDem
33rd Legislative District Bernard Kenny DemBernard KennyDem
34th Legislative District Norman M. Robertson Rep Nia Gill Dem
35th Legislative District John Girgenti DemJohn GirgentiDem
36th Legislative District Garry Furnari DemGarry FurnariDem
37th Legislative District Byron Baer DemByron BaerDem
38th Legislative District Louis F. Kosco Rep Joseph Coniglio Dem
39th Legislative District Gerald Cardinale RepGerald CardinaleRep
40th Legislative District Henry McNamara RepHenry McNamaraRep

Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  1. Legislative District 1, 0.8%
  2. Legislative District 3, 3.0% gain
  3. Legislative District 7, 8.2%
  4. Legislative District 14, 4.2%
  5. Legislative District 36, 3.0%
  6. Legislative District 38, 6.2% gain
  1. Senator Zane switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party in February 2001.
  2. Senator Jack Sinagra resigned on October 23, 2001, to become chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
  3. O'Toole was appointed to the Senate after Senator C. Louis Bassano resigned to join the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
  4. Redistricted to 40th district.
  5. James was appointed in June 1999 to complete the unexpired term of Senator Wynona Lipman. He won a special election for the seat in 1999.

District 1

General election

Candidates

  • James Cafiero, incumbent Senator since 1990 [a] (Republican)
  • William J. Hughes Jr., federal antitrust prosecutor and son of former U.S. Representative William J. Hughes (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican James Cafiero (incumbent) 31,150 50.4
Democratic William J. Hughes, Jr.30,70949.6
Total votes61,859 100.00%

District 2

General election

Candidates

  • David Alcantara (Green)
  • Bill Gormley, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican William Gormley (incumbent) 34,786 86.5
Green David Alcantara5,41113.5
Total votes40,197 100.00%

District 3

General election

Candidates

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Stephen M. Sweeney 29,873 51.5
Republican Raymond Zane (incumbent)28,13848.5
Total votes58,011 100.00%

District 4

General election

Candidates

  • Joseph L. Manganello (Democratic)
  • John Matheussen, incumbent Senator since 1992 (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John J. Matheussen (incumbent) 28,530 58.2
Democratic Joseph L. Manganello20,45141.8
Total votes48,981 100.00%

District 5

General election

Candidates

  • Wayne R. Bryant, incumbent Senator since 1995 (Democratic)
  • Maryann T. Callahan (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Wayne R. Bryant (incumbent) 29,568 69.3
Republican Maryann T. Callahan13,08730.7
Total votes42,655 100.00%

District 6

General election

Candidates

  • John Adler, incumbent Senator since 1992 (Democratic)
  • Jane A. Greenfogel (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic John Adler (incumbent) 39,336 66.7
Republican Jane A. Greenfogel19,63533.3
Total votes58,971 100.00%

District 7

General election

Candidates

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Diane Allen (incumbent) 29,756 54.1
Democratic Lou Gallagher25,29345.9
Total votes55,049 100.00%

District 8

General election

Candidates

  • Martha W. Bark, incumbent Senator since 1997 (Republican)
  • Gary E. Haman (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Martha W. Bark (incumbent) 35,276 60.7
Democratic Gary E. Haman22,86539.3
Total votes58,141 100.00%

District 9

General election

Candidates

  • Leonard T. Connors, incumbent Senator since 1982 and mayor of Surf City (Republican)
  • Mark Schreckstein (Common Sense Independent)
  • Peter A. Terranova (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Leonard T. Connors (incumbent) 43,303 58.7%
Democratic Peter A. Terranova29,88540.5%
Common Sense IndependentMark Schreckenstein5880.8%
Total votes73,776 100.00%

District 10

General election

Candidates

  • Andrew R. Ciesla, incumbent Senator since 1992 (Republican)
  • Timothy E. Ryan (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Andrew R. Ciesla (incumbent) 36,329 56.8%
Democratic Timothy E. Ryan27,60943.2%
Total votes63,938 100.00%

District 11

General election

Candidates

  • Maureen O'Rourke (Democratic)
  • Joseph A. Palaia, incumbent Senator since 1989 and president pro tempore of the New Jersey Senate (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Joseph A. Palaia (incumbent) 36,385 62.0%
Democratic Maureen O'Rourke22,26138.0%
Total votes58,646 100.00%

District 12

General election

Candidates

  • John O. Bennett, incumbent Senator since 1989 and Senate Majority Leader (Republican)
  • Amy I. Aughenbaugh (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John O. Bennett (incumbent) 34,464 58.8%
Democratic Amy I. Aughenbaugh24,18941.2%
Total votes58,653 100.00%

District 13

General election

Candidates

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Joe Kyrillos (incumbent) 38,089 64.4%
Democratic Kiran Desai21,06635.6%
Total votes59,155 100.00%

District 14

General election

Candidates

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Peter Inverso (incumbent) 32,034 52.1%
Democratic Sam Plumeri Jr.29,45847.9%
Total votes61,492 100.00%

District 15

General election

Candidates

  • Thomas D. Abrams (Libertarian)
  • Norbert E. Donelly (Republican)
  • Shirley Turner, incumbent Senator since 1998 (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Shirley Turner (incumbent) 32,289 69.1%
Republican Norbert E. Donelly13,87129.7%
Libertarian Thomas D. Abrams5631.2%
Total votes46,723 100.00%

District 16

General election

Candidates

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Walter J. Kavanaugh (incumbent) 39,073 66.6%
Democratic Daniel Wartenberg19,58933.4%
Total votes58,662 100.00%

District 17

General election

Candidates

  • Skip House (Republican)
  • Bob Smith, member of the General Assembly and former mayor of Piscataway (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Bob Smith 29,290 68.9
Republican Matthew "Skip" House13,21631.1
Total votes42,506 100.00%

District 18

General election

Candidates

  • Barbara Buono, member of the General Assembly (Democratic)
  • John G. Cito (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Barbara Buono 33,487 65.0
Republican John G. Cito18,06435.0
Total votes51,551 100.00%

District 19

General election

Candidates

  • Naresh Gidwani (Republican)
  • Joe Vitale, incumbent Senator since 1998 (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joe Vitale (incumbent) 37,322 77.4%
Republican Naresh "Nick" Gidwani10,92822.6%
Total votes48,250 100.00%

District 20

General election

Candidates

  • Raymond Lesniak, incumbent Senator since 1983 (Democratic)
  • Daniel M. Nozza (Schundler for Governor)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Raymond J. Lesniak 22,817 80.0%
Schundler for GovernorDaniel M. Nozza5,69820.0%
Total votes28,515 100.0

District 21

General election

Candidates

  • Richard Bagger, member of the General Assembly since 1992 (Republican)
  • Ellen Steinberg (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Bagger 41,539 58.6%
Democratic Ellen Steinberg29,34241.4%
Total votes70,881 100.00%

District 22

General election

Candidates

  • Milt Campbell, former Olympic decathlete and professional football player (Republican)
  • Joseph Suliga, member of the General Assembly since 1994 (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joseph S. Suliga 29,326 59.1
Republican Milton Campbell 20,33040.9
Total votes49,656 100.00%

District 23

General election

Candidates

  • Frederick P. Cook (Democratic)
  • Leonard Lance, member of the General Assembly since 1991 and son of former Senator Wesley Lance (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Leonard Lance 43,721 69.3
Democratic Frederick P. Cook19,40730.7
Total votes63,128 100.00%

District 24

General election

Candidates

  • Robert Littell, incumbent Senator since 1990 (Republican)
  • Edwin Selby (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Robert Littell (incumbent) 41,019 74.4%
Democratic Edwin Selby14,11725.6%
Total votes55,136 100.00%

District 25

General election

Candidates

  • Anthony Bucco, incumbent Senator since 1998 (Republican)
  • Horace Chamberlain (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Anthony R. Bucco (incumbent) 38,020 65.5%
Democratic Horace Chamberlain20,01734.5%
Total votes58,037 100.00%

District 26

General election

Candidates

  • Robert Martin, incumbent Senator since 1993 (Republican)
  • Paul E. Pinney (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Robert Martin (incumbent) 38,779 65.9%
Democratic Paul E. Pinney20,09034.1%
Total votes58,869 100.00%

District 27

General election

Candidates

  • Richard Codey, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)
  • Donald Page (African-Americans for Justice)
  • Jared Silverman (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Richard J. Codey 35,237 64.7
Republican Jared Silverman17,87132.8
African-Americans For JusticeDonald Page1,3592.5
Total votes54,467 100.00%

District 28

General election

Candidates

  • Brian E. Coleman (Independent)
  • Marion Crecco, member of the General Assembly since 1986 (Republican)
  • Ronald Rice, incumbent Senator since 1986 (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ronald Rice (incumbent) 27,294 69.4%
Republican Marion Crecco 11,64629.6%
Independent Brian E. Coleman4031.0
Total votes39,343 100.00%

District 29

General election

Candidates

  • Sharpe James, incumbent Senator since 1999 and mayor of Newark (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Sharpe James (incumbent) 25,510 100.0%
Total votes25,510 100.00%

District 30

General election

Candidates

  • Timothy J. Konopka (Democratic)
  • Robert Singer, incumbent Senator since 1993 (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Robert Singer (incumbent) 31,671 61.7%
Democratic Timothy J. Konopka19,69038.3%
Total votes51,361 100.00%

District 31

General election

Candidates

  • Joseph Charles, member of the General Assembly since 1982 (Democratic)
  • Martin J. McFadden (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joseph Charles 29,401 74.1%
Republican Martin J. McFadden10,25025.9%
Total votes39,651 100.00%

District 32

General election

Candidates

  • Martin J. McFadden (Republican)
  • Nicholas Sacco, incumbent Senator since 1994 and mayor of North Bergen (Democratic)
  • Herbert H. Shaw, perennial candidate (Politicians are Crooks)
  • Louis Vernotico (Eliminate Primary Elections)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Nicholas Sacco (incumbent) 26,991 69.0%
Republican Frank MacCormack11,51429.4%
Politicians Are Crooks Herbert H. Shaw 3961.0%
Eliminate Primary ElectionsLouis Vernotico1960.5%
Total votes39,097 100.00%

District 33

General election

Candidates

  • Bernard Kenny, incumbent Senator since 1993 (Democratic)
  • Nancy Gaynor (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Bernard Kenny (incumbent) 28,659 75.3%
Republican Nancy Gaynor9,37824.7%
Total votes38,037 100.00%

District 34

General election

Candidates

  • Nia Gill, member of the General Assembly since 1994 (Democratic)
  • Norman M. Robertson, incumbent Senator since 1998 (Republican)
  • Marie Yvrose Celestin (Social Economic Empowerment)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Nia Gill 30,453 64.9%
Republican Norman M. Robertson (incumbent)16,13534.4%
Social Economic EmpowermentMarie Yvrose Celestin3680.8
Total votes46,956 100.00%

District 35

General election

Candidates

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic John Girgenti (incumbent) 25,844 100.0%
Total votes25,844 100.00%

District 36

General election

Candidates

  • Joseph Farallo (Green Coalition)
  • Garry Furnari, incumbent Senator since 1998 (Democratic)
  • John V. Kelly, member of the General Assembly since 1986 [b] (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Garry Furnari (incumbent) 22,914 50.8%
Republican John V. Kelly 21,57147.8%
Green CoalitionJoseph Farallo6421.4
Total votes45,127 100.00%

District 37

General election

Candidates

  • Byron Baer, incumbent Senator since 1994 (Democratic)
  • Jonathan L. Bender (Republican)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Byron Baer (incumbent) 33,650 66.4%
Republican Jonathan L. Bender17,03733.6%
Total votes50,687 100.00%

District 38

General election

Candidates

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joseph Coniglio 29,316 53.2%
Republican Louis F. Kosco (incumbent)25,77346.8%
Total votes55,089 100.00%

District 39

General election

Candidates

  • Alan Baskin (Democratic)
  • Gerald Cardinale, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
  • George E. Soroka (Conservative)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Gerald Cardinale (incumbent) 42,717 62.9%
Democratic Alan Baskin24,54336.2%
Conservative George E. Soroka6160.9%
Total votes67,876 100.00%

District 40

General election

Candidates

  • Henry McNamara, incumbent Senator since 1985 (Republican)
  • Jack Nigro (Democratic)

Results

New Jersey general election, 2001 [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Henry McNamara (incumbent) 39,815 62.3%
Democratic Jack Nigro24,12237.7%
Total votes63,937 100.00%

Notes

  1. Cafiero had previously served a term in the Senate from 1972 to 1982.
  2. Kelly previously served a term in the General Assembly from 1982 to 1984.

See also

References

  1. "General Election Data - 1924 to 2022" (PDF). NJ.gov.
  2. Hochman, Louis (September 10, 2020). "NEW JERSEY'S 750 VICTIMS OF 9/11 — WE'LL NEVER FORGET THEM".
  3. 1 2 3 "New Jersey's Redistricting". The New York Times. May 9, 2001. p. 30.
  4. 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 "Official List, Candidate Returns for State Senate for November 2001 General Election" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  5. Wildstein, David (August 2, 2021). "It's Jack and Diane: Ciattarelli picks Allen as Lt. Governor candidate". The New Jersey Globe.
  6. Official List Candidate Returns for State Senate For November 2001 General Election, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed August 25, 2017.