2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey

Last updated

2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey
Flag of New Jersey.svg
←  2002 November 4, 2008 2013 (special)  →
  Frank Lautenberg, official portrait, 112th portrait crop.jpg Richard Alan Zimmer portrait (cropped).gif
Nominee Frank Lautenberg Dick Zimmer
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote1,951,2181,461,025
Percentage56.03%41.95%
2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey results map by county.svg
2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey by Congressional District.svg
2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey results map by municipality.svg
Lautenberg:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     90–100%
Zimmer:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
U.S. senator before election

Frank Lautenberg
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Frank Lautenberg
Democratic

The 2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg won re-election to a fifth, non-consecutive term, defeating former Republican congressman Dick Zimmer, who was also the nominee for this seat in 1996. This election, alongside the concurrent Senate election in Minnesota, was the last U.S. Senate election in which both major party candidates were Jewish. [1]

Contents


Background

In November 2006, Senator Lautenberg had the lowest approval rating of any Democrat running for re-election in 2008 (with 39% approving and 45% disapproving), [2] with his approval improving only slightly to 42% as of September 2007. In the same September 2007 poll conducted by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, voters surveyed decided that Lautenberg does not deserve re-election (46% to 36%) and that he is too old to effectively serve another six years in the Senate (54% to 40%). [3]

Poll results suggested that given the right formula, this could have been a surprise upset race in November 2008. "The poll shows that Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who many voters say is too old to run for another term, would be vulnerable to a strong Republican candidate next year," according to Quinnipiac pollster Clay Richards. [3]

The first poll conducted after the primaries (Rasmussen Reports, June 4, 2008) showed a tighter than expected race between Lautenberg and Zimmer, with the two candidates in a virtual tie. [4]

However, the prevailing political climate at the time of the election was also a major factor. Voter anger was targeted against the GOP, and many Democrats once considered vulnerable managed to hold on.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Polling

SourceDateFrank
Lautenberg		Rob
Andrews
Joel Benenson [5] April 1–2, 200852%21%
Rasmussen Reports [6] May 15, 200849%19%

Results

Democratic primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Frank Lautenberg 203,012 58.9%
Democratic Rob Andrews 121,77735.3%
Democratic Donald Cresitello 19,7435.7%
Total votes344,532 100.0%

Results by county

Results by county
CountyLautenberg %Andrews %Cresitello %
Atlantic4,79845.4%5,28750.1%4724.5%
Bergen26,84878.9%5,64516.6%1,5544.6%
Burlington7,75742.4%9,48351.8%1,0595.8%
Camden5,99516.5%29,17580.1%1,2563.4%
Cape May1,43345.4%1,56649.6%1595.0%
Cumberland1,74646.1%1,79947.5%2466.5%
Essex31,84476.4%8,67120.8%1,1902.9%
Gloucester3,13517.0%14,77580.0%5633.0%
Hudson28,44674.8%8,23321.7%1,3433.5%
Hunterdon2,06158.8%1,18033.7%2647.5%
Mercer10,09374.0%3,05322.4%4943.6%
Middlesex17,13162.0%7,91828.7%2,5739.3%
Monmouth10,57066.3%3,56822.4%1,80811.3%
Morris8,43265.0%3,15124.3%1,39410.7%
Ocean8,86957.9%5,03732.9%1,4219.3%
Passaic9,84279.3%1,70013.7%8727.0%
Salem92831.9%1,73459.6%2488.5%
Somerset5,64064.7%2,20925.3%87310.0%
Sussex1,37952.7%78429.9%45617.4%
Union15,10367.6%6,17927.7%1,0604.7%
Warren96247.4%63031.0%43821.6%

Republican primary

Candidates

Withdrew

Declined

Results

Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Dick Zimmer 84,663 45.8%
Republican Joseph Pennacchio 74,54640.3%
Republican Murray Sabrin 25,57613.8%
Total votes184,785 100.0%

Official results, New Jersey Division of Elections (PDF, July 11, 2008)

Results by county

CountyZimmer%Pennacchio%Sabrin%
Atlantic3,90965%1,32222%81013%
Bergen5,14530%10,76162%1,3848%
Burlington8,62963%2,86921%2,27616%
Camden3,12349%2,16634%1,03616%
Cape May3,61570%1,03420%4839%
Cumberland1,56672%39518%22510%
Essex3,59257%2,26236%4938%
Gloucester1,20626%2,16147%1,25427%
Hudson1,48748%95531%64121%
Hunterdon5,51960%2,73030%97711%
Mercer2,55556%1,53834%48811%
Middlesex2,60333%4,19554%1,02113%
Monmouth7,98156%4,63033%1,51011%
Morris8,09436%12,70056%1,8558%
Ocean10,87548%4,82021%6,77830%
Passaic1,27120%4,57072%5458%
Salem76947%65741%19312%
Somerset5,22746%4,87543%1,17010%
Sussex2,85040%3,62151%6479%
Union2,89632%4,65352%1,38815%
Warren1,75146%1,63243%40211%

General election

Candidates

Major

Minor

  • Jeff Boss (I) [12]
  • Daryl Mikell Brooks (I) [12]
  • J.M. Carter (I) [12]
  • Carl Peter Klapper (Write In) [13]
  • Sara Lobman (Socialist Workers) [12]
  • Jason Scheurer (Libertarian) [12]

Debates

On October 29, 2008, a debate between Lautenberg and Zimmer was held on the radio station NJ 101.5. [14]

On November 1, 2008, the two candidates debated for the second time on New Jersey Network, in the only televised debate agreed to by the Lautenberg campaign. [15]

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [16] Safe DOctober 23, 2008
CQ Politics [17] Likely DOctober 31, 2008
Rothenberg Political Report [18] Safe DNovember 2, 2008
Real Clear Politics [19] Likely DOctober 31, 2008

Polling

SourceDateFrank
Lautenberg (D)		Dick
Zimmer (R)
Rasmussen Reports [20] June 4, 200845%44%
Quinnipiac University [21] June 5–8, 200847%38%
Fairleigh Dickinson University [22] June 17–22, 200845%28%
Rasmussen Reports [23] July 7, 200849%36%
Strategic Vision [24] July 11–13, 200848%32%
Monmouth University [25] July 17–21, 200845%37%
Club for Growth [26] July 30–31, 200835%36%
Rasmussen Reports [27] August 4, 200851%33%
Quinnipiac University [28] August 4–10, 200848%41%
Fairleigh Dickinson University [29] September 4–7, 200846%35%
Marist College [30] September 5–8, 200851%40%
The Record [31] / Research 2000 [32] September 9–11, 200849%41%
Quinnipiac University [33] September 10–14, 200848%39%
Monmouth University [34] September 11–14, 200846%36%
Strategic Vision [35] September 14–16, 200847%40%
Rasmussen Reports [36] September 16, 200849%42%
Survey USA [37] September 27–28, 200851%38%
Strategic Vision [38] September 26–28, 200848%41%
Fairleigh Dickinson University [39] September 29 – October 5, 200850%34%
Rasmussen Reports [23] October 7, 200851%37%
Survey USA [40] October 11–12, 200851%38%
Monmouth University [41] October 15–18, 200852%36%
Quinnipiac University [42] October 16–19, 200855%33%
Marist College [43] October 20–21, 200848%41%
Strategic Vision [44] October 24–26, 200849%41%
Survey USA [45] October 29–30, 200852%37%

Results

2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Frank Lautenberg (incumbent) 1,951,218 56.03% +2.15%
Republican Dick Zimmer 1,461,02541.95%−2.00%
Independent Daryl Mikell Brooks20,9200.60%n/a
Libertarian Jason Scheurer18,8100.54%−0.05
Independent J.M. Carter15,9350.46%n/a
Independent Jeff Boss 10,3450.30%n/a
Socialist Workers Sara Lobman9,1870.26%n/a
Total votes3,482,445 100.00% n/a
Democratic hold

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Lautenberg</span> American politician (1924–2013)

Frank Raleigh Lautenberg was an American businessman and Democratic Party politician who served as United States Senator from New Jersey from 1982 to 2001, and again from 2003 until his death in 2013. He was originally from Paterson, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick Zimmer</span> American politician

Richard Alan Zimmer is an American Republican Party politician from New Jersey, who served in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature and in the United States House of Representatives. He was the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate from New Jersey in 1996 and 2008. In March 2010, he was appointed by Governor Chris Christie to head the New Jersey Privatization Task Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 New Jersey gubernatorial election</span>

The 2005 New Jersey gubernatorial election was a race to determine the governor of New Jersey. It was held on November 8, 2005. Democratic governor Richard Codey, who replaced Governor Jim McGreevey in 2004 after his resignation, did not run for election for a full term of office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 United States Senate election in New Jersey</span>

The 2006 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 7, 2006. Bob Menendez, who had served as an interim appointee, was elected to a six-year term in office. He defeated Republican Thomas Kean Jr. in the general election.

This article lists statewide public opinion polls conducted relating to the 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries, typically using standard statistical methodology.

Andy Unanue is an American businessman and investor. He is the current Managing Partner of AUA Private Equity Partners, an operationally-focused, lower middle-market private equity firm that targets Hispanic-oriented and family-owned companies. Unanue is the former Chief Operating Officer of the family-owned Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States.

Anne Evans Estabrook is an American real estate developer who was the frontrunner in the Republican primary for the 2008 United States Senate race in New Jersey before suffering a mini-stroke and withdrawing from the race.

Many scientific, state-wide public opinion polls have been conducted relating to the United States of America (U.S.) presidential election, 2008, matching up Hillary Clinton against John McCain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 New Jersey gubernatorial election</span>

The 2009 New Jersey gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 2009. Incumbent Democratic governor Jon Corzine ran for a second term against Republican Chris Christie, Independent Christopher Daggett, and nine others, in addition to several write-in candidates. Christie won the election, with about 48.5 percent of the vote, to 44.9 percent for Corzine and 5.8 percent for Daggett. He assumed office on January 19, 2010. This was the first election to fill the newly created office of lieutenant governor, with the candidates for governor choosing their running mates. Kim Guadagno, Christie's running mate, became New Jersey's first lieutenant governor following her inauguration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States Senate election in Connecticut</span>

The 2010 United States Senate election in Connecticut was a midterm election which took place on November 2, 2010, to decide a Class III Senator from the State of Connecticut to join the 112th United States Congress. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Dodd suffered from dropping approval ratings in the past few years due to major controversies, leading him to announce in January 2010 that he would retire, instead of seeking a sixth term. As Dodd was a Democrat, Richard Blumenthal, incumbent State Attorney General, announced on the same day that he would run for Dodd's seat. The Connecticut Democratic Party nominated Blumenthal on May 21. Businesswoman Linda McMahon won the state party's nominating convention and the August 10 Republican primary to become the Republican candidate. This was the first open Senate seat in Connecticut since 1980 where Dodd was first elected. Blumenthal was the only non-incumbent Democrat to win a non-special election in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in New Jersey</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in New Jersey took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose 15 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States Senate election in Florida</span>

The 2010 United States Senate election in Florida took place on November 2, 2010, concurrently with other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 United States Senate election in New Jersey</span>

The 2000 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg retired rather than seeking a fourth term. Democratic nominee Jon Corzine, former CEO of Goldman Sachs, defeated the Republican U.S. Representative Bob Franks in a close election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 United States Senate election in New Jersey</span>

The 2002 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 5, 2002. Former U.S. senator Frank Lautenberg was elected to an open seat over Republican businessman Doug Forrester after incumbent senator Robert Torricelli dropped out of the race on September 30, facing ethical misconduct allegations, a formal admonishment by the U.S. Senate, and falling poll numbers against Forrester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States Senate election in Ohio</span>

The 2012 United States Senate election in Ohio took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican Josh Mandel, the Ohio State Treasurer. Brown was unopposed in the Democratic primary while Mandel won the Republican primary with 63% of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States Senate election in New Jersey</span>

The 2012 United States Senate election in New Jersey took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election</span>

The 2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 2013, to elect the governor of New Jersey. Incumbent Republican governor Chris Christie ran for re-election to a second term in office. He faced Democratic nominee Barbara Buono and six others in the general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States Senate election in New Jersey</span>

The 2014 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of New Jersey. Incumbent senator Cory Booker was first elected in a 2013 special election to complete the term of fellow Democrat Frank Lautenberg, who died in office. Booker defeated Jeff Bell (R) to win a first full term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey</span>

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, to elect the 12 U.S. representatives from the state of New Jersey, one from each of the state's 12 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2014 United States midterm elections for other federal and state offices, including U.S. House elections in other states and a U.S. Senate election in New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey</span>

The 2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey was held on October 16, 2013, to fill the New Jersey United States Senate Class 2 seat for the remainder of the term ending January 3, 2015. The vacancy resulted from the death of 5-term Democratic senator Frank Lautenberg on June 3, 2013. On June 4, 2013, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced that a primary election to fill the vacancy would take place on August 13, 2013, and that a special election would follow on October 16, 2013. Christie appointed Republican New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa to the seat as a placeholder; Chiesa announced at the time of his appointment that he would not be a candidate in the special election.

References

  1. ↑ Rudin, Ken (July 23, 2008). "Who Will Succeed Obama Or McCain In The Senate?". NPR . Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #11152". SurveyUSA. November 2006. Retrieved February 5, 2007.
  3. 1 2 "Voters still say Lautenberg is too old". PolitickerNJ.com, September 25, 2007. Accessed April 8, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Election 2008: New Jersey Senate - New Jersey Senate Race a Dead Heat" Archived June 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , Rasmussen Reports, June 9, 2008. Accessed June 9, 2008.
  5. ↑ Joel Benenson
  6. ↑ Rasmussen Reports
  7. 1 2 Official results for 2008 primary elections, New Jersey Division of Elections, July 11, 2008 Archived August 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine )
  8. ↑ PolitickerNJ (March 6, 2008). "Bateman considers U.S. Senate bid". Observer. Retrieved August 21, 2021. The race changed yesterday with the surprise withdrawal of Anne Evans Estabrook, a millionaire businesswoman who had courted party leaders for almost a year. Estabrook suffered a mini-stroke on Monday and decided to quickly exit the contest.
  9. ↑ Krashuaar, Josh (April 11, 2008). "New Jersey Senate merry-go-round continues". Politico. Retrieved August 21, 2021. Former Goya Foods executive Andrew Unanue, whose campaign was controversy-ridden ever since he announced his candidacy on Easter Sunday, withdrew from the race today and threw his support behind former GOP Rep. Dick Zimmer.
  10. ↑ PolitickerNJ (March 6, 2008). "Bateman considers U.S. Senate bid". Observer. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  11. ↑ Wildstein, David (January 12, 2023). "Democrats to Dr. Oz: run for office as a Republican in New Jersey, please". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 2008 General Election Candidate Certification Archived October 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , New Jersey Division of Elections. Accessed September 28, 2008
  13. ↑ "Home". carlpeterklapper.org. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  14. ↑ Burton, Cynthia. "Lautenberg and Zimmer spar over issues", The Philadelphia Inquirer , October 30, 2008.
  15. ↑ Schwaneberg, Robert. Lautenberg, Zimmer agree to debate on Nov. 1, The Star-Ledger , October 1, 2008.
  16. ↑ "2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  17. ↑ Race Ratings Chart: Senate Archived October 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine CQ Politics
  18. ↑ "2008 Senate ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  19. ↑ "2008 RCP Averages & Senate Results". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Rasmussen Reports: The most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a presidential election". Archived from the original on June 22, 2008.
  21. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  22. ↑ Fairleigh Dickinson University
  23. 1 2 Rasmussen Reports
  24. ↑ Strategic Vision
  25. ↑ Monmouth University
  26. ↑ "The Club For Growth - www.clubforgrowth.org". www.clubforgrowth.org. Archived from the original on October 23, 2008. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Rasmussen Reports: The most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a presidential election". Archived from the original on September 12, 2008.
  28. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  29. ↑ Fairleigh Dickinson University
  30. ↑ Marist College Archived September 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  31. ↑ The Record
  32. ↑ Research 2000
  33. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  34. ↑ Monmouth University
  35. ↑ Strategic Vision
  36. ↑ Rasmussen Reports
  37. ↑ Survey USA
  38. ↑ Strategic Vision
  39. ↑ Fairleigh Dickinson University
  40. ↑ Survey USA
  41. ↑ Monmouth University
  42. ↑ Quinnipiac University
  43. ↑ Marist College Archived January 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  44. ↑ Strategic Vision
  45. ↑ Survey USA
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.