1991 New Jersey Senate election

The 1991 New Jersey State Senate elections were held on November 5.

1991 New Jersey Senate elections

November 5, 1991

All 40 seats in the New Jersey State Senate
21 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader John H. Dorsey John A. Lynch Jr.
Party Republican Democratic
Leader's seat 23rd 17th
Last election 16 24
Seats before 17 23
Seats won 27 13
Seat change Increase 10 Decrease 10

Results by district
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     Republican hold      Republican gain

Senate President before election

John A. Lynch Jr.
Democratic

Elected Senate President

Donald DiFrancesco
Republican

The election took place mid-way through the term of Governor James Florio. The results were a landslide victory for the Republican Party amidst a tax revolt by New Jersey voters. Democrats picked up only one seat, that of Senator Lee B. Laskin. Republicans picked up eleven Democrat seats, winning control of the Senate for the first time since 1974.

Two years later, Governor Florio narrowly lost re-election to Christine Todd Whitman. As of 2023, this remains the largest total number of seats held by the Republican Party and the largest number of seats gained by the Republican Party in a single election since the current districting scheme was introduced in 1973. This remains the last time the Republicans or any party held a veto-proof majority in the chamber.

Contents

BackgroundAftermath and legacy
Incumbents not runningSummary of results
By District: 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233 34353637383940

Background

Redistricting

1982–92
1992–2002
New Jersey Legislature before (left) and after (right) the 1991 redistricting

As required, the New Jersey legislature redistricted its state legislative districts in advance of the 1991 election. Redistricting was considered to have favored Republicans,[1][2] reflecting relative growth in the suburbs versus the state's Democratic urban cores.[1]

Tax revolt

A centerpiece of the Florio administration's legislative agenda was a $2.8 billion tax increase, which one consultant called "the largest single tax increase in the history of the finances of the 50 states" and "a national test case on both political and economic grounds."[3] The increase also came amid a national economic recession. Very little public input was possible due to the package's short turnaround; the Florio administration cited restrictive deadlines.[4] According to administration officials, the tax package was designed to aid blue-collar workers and the middle class,[3] who it later admitted were "also the people most upset by enactment of the taxes."[1] After the 1991 election, Florio aide Doug Berman admitted, "We were very full of ourselves."[4]

Voter anger over the tax increase grew throughout the early months of 1990; many voters felt that Florio's projection during the 1989 campaign that new taxes were unlikely had amounted to a lie. In response to growing protest, the administration adopted a wait-and-see approach, maintaining the protests would peter out as the legislative package delivered benefits in the form of rebate checks, lower auto insurance rates, and increased funding for education.[3]

Opposition to Governor Jim Florio's $2.8 billion tax increase dominated New Jersey politics from 1990 through 1992.

In June 1990, New Jersey 101.5 talk radio callers Pat Ralston and John Budzash formed Hands Across New Jersey, a protest group which rallied thousands of supporters[lower-alpha 1] in Trenton on July 1 and collected over 350,000 petition signatures within the month.[3] The group's stated mission was to obtain binding referendums and a recall mechanism; Democratic Assemblyman Thomas P. Foy declared his support for a recall provision on NJ101.5 soon after.[3]

By fall 1990, Florio's approval rating sank to 18 percent; it would not exceed the low twenties for the duration of the 1991 campaign.[4] The first political impact of the "tax revolt" was made manifest in November 1990, when incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Bradley was nearly unseated by Christine Todd Whitman. During her campaign, Whitman repeatedly asked Bradley for his position on the increase, but he demurred, calling it a state issue.[7][4]

Republicans centered their 1991 campaign on opposition to the increase, as did even some incumbent Democrats, such as Senator Paul Contillo.[1]

Gun control

Another major legislative achievement of the Florio administration was a strict gun control measure targeted at "assault-style weapons."[8] The bill's passage led the NRA Political Victory Fund to spend nearly $250,000 in the 1991 elections targeting candidates in both parties who had voted in favor of the bill and supporting those who pledged to repeal it.[8][9]

Statewide polling generally showed that the bill was popular with New Jerseyans, so supporters were not directly attacked; rather, the N.R.A. spent heavily to advertise for or against candidates on other issues.[1] Statewide, the N.R.A. donated directly to 78 legislative candidates, 75 of whom were Republicans, and 70 of whom won.[9]

Education

The Florio administration also received surprise opposition from the New Jersey Education Association, which had backed his election in 1989. After the passage of the Quality Education Act and strict new spending caps on local school boards, the NJEA endorsed a slate of legislative candidates that was almost exclusively Republican.[10] The total slate included 46 Republicans and only three Democrats.[11]

Aftermath and legacy

Talk radio

Prior to 1990, New Jersey 101.5 was known as an "obscure Trenton oldies station."[4] During the tax revolt and the station's transition to talk radio, listenership quadrupled from 150,000 to 600,000.[4] The John and Ken Show, from which the protest was launched, later moved to KFI in Los Angeles and became nationally syndicated in 1997.

1992 Senate presidency contest

With Republican control of the Senate becoming likely during the campaign, Senator Donald DiFrancesco and Senate Minority Leader John H. Dorsey, neither of whom faced serious re-election challenges, engaged in a proxy contest to control the next Republican caucus and win the election for Senate President. Dorsey had already survived one attempt by DiFrancseco to unseat him as leader in December 1990, and DiFrancesco had previously served as minority leader himself from 1982 to 1984.[12]

DiFrancseco had the support of moderates, led by former Governor Thomas Kean, and offered a less confrontational approach than Dorsey.[12] Publicly, DiFrancesco said his efforts were focused on electing a Republican majority, but challenged the idea that as Senate Minority Leader, he was entitled to the presidency, saying, "It's not like I'm throwing Mr. Dorsey out of a position, because no one has it."[12]

Each Senator spent at least $50,000 in other Senate races. Among incumbents, the struggle was projected as a dead heat, so special effort was made to influence incoming legislators. For instance, Dorsey spent $9,000 and DiFrancesco spent $7,000 supporting the campaign of Andrew R. Ciesla.[12] Ultimately, DiFrancesco prevailed. Dorsey remained in party leadership as Majority Leader but faced another intra-party challenge from future Governor Chris Christie in his district's primary. He successfully disqualified Christie from the ballot but lost the general election to Democrat Gordon MacInnes and left politics.[13]

DiFrancesco served as Senate President until 2002. After Christine Todd Whitman resigned to become Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, DiFrancesco succeeded her as the 51st Governor of New Jersey and oversaw the state's response to the September 11 attacks. He retired from politics after withdrawing from the 2001 gubernatorial election.

Incumbents not running for re-election

Democratic

Summary of results

District Incumbent Party Elected Senator Party
1st Legislative District James Cafiero[lower-alpha 2] Rep James Cafiero Rep
2nd Legislative District William Gormley Rep William Gormley Rep
3rd Legislative District Raymond Zane Dem Raymond Zane Dem
4th Legislative District Daniel Dalton Dem John Matheussen Rep
5th Legislative District Walter Rand Dem Walter Rand Dem
6th Legislative District Lee Laskin Rep John Adler Dem
7th Legislative District Thomas P. Foy[lower-alpha 3] Dem Bradford S. Smith Rep
8th Legislative District C. William Haines[lower-alpha 4] Rep C. William Haines Rep
9th Legislative District Leonard T. Connors Rep Leonard T. Connors Rep
10th Legislative District John F. Russo Dem Andrew R. Ciesla Rep
11th Legislative District Joseph A. Palaia[lower-alpha 5] Rep Joseph A. Palaia Rep
12th Legislative District John O. Bennett[lower-alpha 6] Rep John O. Bennett Rep
13th Legislative District James T. Phillips[lower-alpha 7] Dem Joe Kyrillos Rep
14th Legislative District Francis J. McManimon Dem Peter Inverso Rep
15th Legislative District Gerald R. Stockman Dem Dick LaRossa Rep
16th Legislative District John H. Ewing Rep John H. Ewing Rep
17th Legislative District John A. Lynch Jr. Dem John A. Lynch Jr. Dem
18th Legislative District Thomas H. Paterniti Dem Jack Sinagra Rep
19th Legislative District Laurence Weiss Dem Randy Corman Rep
20th Legislative District Raymond Lesniak Dem Raymond Lesniak Dem
21st Legislative District C. Louis Bassano Rep C. Louis Bassano Rep
22nd Legislative District Donald DiFrancesco Rep Donald DiFrancesco Rep
23rd Legislative District William E. Schluter[lower-alpha 8] Rep William E. Schluter Rep
24th Legislative District Robert Littell[lower-alpha 9] Rep Robert Littell Rep
25th Legislative District John H. Dorsey Rep John H. Dorsey Rep
26th Legislative District Leanna Brown Rep Leanna Brown Rep
27th Legislative District Richard Codey Dem Richard Codey Dem
28th Legislative District Ronald Rice[lower-alpha 10] Dem Ronald Rice Dem
29th Legislative District Wynona Lipman Dem Wynona Lipman Dem
30th Legislative District Carmen Orechio[lower-alpha 11] Dem John E. Dimon Rep
31st Legislative District Edward T. O'Connor Jr. Dem Edward T. O'Connor Jr. Dem
32nd Legislative District Thomas F. Cowan Dem Thomas F. Cowan Dem
33rd Legislative District Bob Menendez[lower-alpha 12] Dem Bob Menendez Dem
34th Legislative District Joseph Bubba Rep Joseph Bubba Rep
35th Legislative District John Girgenti[lower-alpha 13] Dem John Girgenti Dem
36th Legislative District Gabriel M. Ambrosio Dem John P. Scott Rep
37th Legislative District Matthew Feldman Dem Matthew Feldman Dem
38th Legislative District Paul Contillo Dem Louis F. Kosco Rep
39th Legislative District Gerald Cardinale Rep Gerald Cardinale Rep
40th Legislative District Henry McNamara[lower-alpha 14] Rep Henry McNamara Rep
  1. Estimates vary from 6,000[5] to 50,000.[6]
  2. Cafiero won a 1990 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator James R. Hurley, who resigned to join the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.
  3. Foy was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Senator Catherine A. Costa, who resigned to become Director of the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
  4. Haines won a 1984 special election to complete the term of Jim Saxton, who resigned to take a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  5. Palaia won a 1989 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Frank Pallone, who resigned to take his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  6. Bennett won a 1989 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator S. Thomas Gagliano, who resigned to become the director of NJ Transit.
  7. Phillips was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Senator Richard Van Wagner, who resigned to join the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
  8. Schluter was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Dick Zimmer, who resigned to take his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in January 1991.
  9. Littell won a 1990 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Wayne Dumont, who retired in July 1990.
  10. Rice won a special November 1986 election to complete the unexpired term of John P. Caufield, who died in August 1986.
  11. Redistricted to 36th district, declined to challenge Senator Ambrosio.
  12. Menendez won a March 1991 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Christopher Jackman, who died.
  13. Girgenti won a 1990 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Frank X. Graves Jr., who died.
  14. McNamara won a November 1985 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Garrett Hagedorn, who died in August 1985.

Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  1. District 15, 1.8% gain
  2. District 4, 3.4% gain
  3. District 17, 4.0%
  4. District 36, 4.0% gain
  5. District 35, 6.4%
  6. District 2, 6.6%
  7. District 18, 7.0% gain
  8. District 7, 7.2% gain
  9. District 37, 7.2%

Seats that flipped by more than 10%:

  1. District 6, 10.8% gain
  2. District 19, 11.2% gain (tipping point seat for Republican majority)
  3. District 38, 14.3% gain (tipping point seat for Democratic majority)
  4. District 14, 17.8% gain
  5. District 10, 23.2% gain
  6. District 30, 30.0% gain (redistricting)
  7. District 13, 35.6% gain

District 1

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ronald J. Casella 3,037 100%
Total votes 3,037 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Cafiero (incumbent) 6,690 100%
Total votes 6,690 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Cafiero (incumbent) 31,624 62.0%
Democratic Ronald J. Casella 19,404 38.0%
Total votes 51,028 100%

District 2

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Meg Worthington 2,460 100%
Total votes 2,460 100%

Republican primary

During the primary, the National Rifle Association of America spent over $58,000, through various political action committees and alongside the Coalition of New Jersey Sportsmen, to defeat Gormley as retaliation for his support of the 1990 firearms restrictions. Gormley was the only Republican in the Senate to support the bill, but his vote was decisive in its passage.[8][16] Another group, the Committee for Sensible Government, which received more than $40,000 from the NRA, financed at least six mailings denouncing Gormley for his past opposition to tax rebates. The PAC's chairman, Buena Vista Township committeeman William Fennen, expressed broader opposition to Gormley on the grounds that he was moderate.[16]

Gormley said he initially planned not to campaign, having won his last primary with 73.5 percent of the vote and not having any opponent in the early stages of the campaign against him.[16]

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Gormley (incumbent) 5,369 54.17%
Republican Domenic Cappella 4,542 45.83%
Total votes 9,911 100%

General election

Gormley faced another difficult challenge in the general election, where the N.R.A. gave $20,000 directly to the independent campaign of Republican Assemblywoman Dolores G. Cooper. Cooper ultimately dropped out of the race, but Gormley spent $350,000 to preserve his chances at re-election.[9]

He prevailed by a much narrower margin than in 1987.

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Gormley (incumbent) 22,731 53.3%
Democratic Meg Worthington 19,908 46.7%
Total votes 42,639 100%

District 3

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raymond Zane 5,604 100%
Total votes 5,604 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican G. Erwin Sheppard (write-in) 540 100%
Total votes 540 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raymond Zane (incumbent) 31,648 60.9%
Republican G. Erwin Sheppard 16,600 32.0%
No Party Deals Frank L. Sorrentino 3,683 7.1%
Total votes 51,931 100%

District 4

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anthony S. Marsella 6,294 100%
Total votes 6,294 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John J. Matheussen 3,153 100%
Total votes 3,153 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John J. Matheussen 21,553 51.7%
Democratic Anthony S. Marsella 20,118 48.3%
Total votes 41,671 100%

District 5

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Walter Rand (incumbent) 7,361 100%
Total votes 7,361 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rev. Edwin A. Martinez 1,811 100%
Total votes 1,811 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Walter Rand (incumbent) 25,834 67.1%
Republican Rev. Edwin A. Martinez 12,666 32.9%
Total votes 38,500 100%

District 6

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Adler 3,621 100%
Total votes 3,621 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lee B. Laskin (incumbent) 4,407 100%
Total votes 4,407 100%

General election

  • John Adler, Cherry Hill councilman[18] and candidate for U.S. House in 1990[19]
  • Lee Laskin, incumbent Senator since 1977

John Adler was recruited to run against Senator Lee Laskin by Camden Democratic boss George Norcross. Norcross decided to target Laskin after the Senator refused to secure an appointment for Norcorss's father to the New Jersey Racing Commission.[20] Norcross also sought to secure Democratic control on the county board of freeholders.[19]

In a surprise move, Democrats began spending heavily in this race late. Within the final week, the party purchased $250,000 in television advertisements for Adler on Philadelphia stations. Steve DeMicco, executive director of the New Jersey Democratic Committee, called the move a "sneak attack" which had been planned in advance in light of polling showing that Laskin was vulnerable.[1] Up to that point in the race, the Republican Party had not given any assistance to Laskin, either because he was seen as safe for re-election or because of his reputation as a political maverick within the party.[1] He voted against every state budget during his time in office.[19]

On election night, Laskin conceded by calling Adler a "slimeball." Adler responded, "Win or lose, [Laskin] stoops lower than he should," a reference to Laskin's exact same insult against his opponent Maria Barnaby Greenwald four years earlier.[19]

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Adler 31,289 55.4%
Republican Lee B. Laskin (incumbent) 25,191 44.6%
Total votes 56,480 100%

This would ultimately be the sole legislative seat gained by the Democrats in the 1991 elections; both Assembly incumbents in the district survived. Adler would go on to serve in the Senate until his 2008 election to the United States House of Representatives.

District 7

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas P. Foy (incumbent) 6,238 100%
Total votes 6,238 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bradford S. Smith 3,219 100%
Total votes 3,219 100%

General election

The campaign in the 7th district followed the standard attacks on the Democratic record. Republicans, led by Smith, harped on the incumbents' refusal to sign a no-tax increase pledge and called for a complete audit of state government, a repeal of the $2.8 billion increase, and a repeal of the Quality Education Act. At one point during the campaign, the Republican candidates delivered three rubber chickens to the incumbent legislators' offices.[21]

Foy did respond, claiming he would have signed the no-tax pledge if it had a clause allowing him to use his "best judgment."[21]

Even on Election Day, the race was presumed safe. In reaction to his defeat, Foy said, "The impossible has happened."[21] Smith said he was confident of victory because of the "tremendous support we have had going door-to-door."[21]

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bradford S. Smith 26,892 53.6%
Democratic Thomas P. Foy (incumbent) 23,290 46.4%
Total votes 50,182 100%

District 8

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas P. Long 2,290 100%
Total votes 2,290 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican C. William Haines (incumbent) 5,528 100%
Total votes 5,528 100%

General election

As expected, the Republican incumbent C. William Haines was easily re-elected in the 8th district.[2] Despite redistricting stretching the district into Atlantic and Camden counties, the district remained overwhelmingly Republican. No Democrat had won the area since Assemblyman John Sweeney in the post-Watergate 1973 Democratic landslide.[2]

Dinerman ran on a platform of disrupting Republican hegemony in the district and blaming the state's financial mess on Republican former Governor Thomas Kean.[2]

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican C. William Haines (incumbent) 28,850 66.3%
Democratic Harvey Dinerman 14,644 33.7%
Total votes 43,494 100%

District 9

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph Meglino 4,172 100%
Total votes 4,172 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Leonard T. Connors (incumbent) 9,327 100%
Total votes 9,327 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Leonard T. Connors (incumbent) 42,914 69.9%
Democratic Joseph Meglino 18,448 30.1%
Total votes 61,362 100%

District 10

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Paul Doyle 3,310 100%
Total votes 3,310 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Andrew R. Ciesla 4,570 58.60%
Republican Tom Blomquist 3,229 41.40%
Total votes 7,799 100%

General election

This race pitted two Brick Township residents against each other. Ciesla ran hard on the generic Republican opposition to the Florio tax increase and Doyle's votes, as an Assemblyman, in favor of the tax package.[1] Doyle countered that Ciesla was indecisive and that the Democratic program had allowed municipal governments to cut local property taxes, but avoided directly mentioning the tax package or Governor Florio.[1]

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Andrew R. Ciesla 34,711 61.6%
Democratic John Paul Doyle 21,643 38.4%
Total votes 56,354 100%

District 11

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gloria R. Filippione 2,239 88.96%
Democratic Irwin Zucker 278 11.04%
Total votes 2,517 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph A. Palaia 3,019 100%
Total votes 3,019 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph A. Palaia 35,349 65.2%
Democratic Gloria R. Filippone 16,286 30.1%
Non Lawyer Thomas W. Appleby, Jr. 1,738 3.2%
Nonpartisan Joshua Leinsdorf 819 1.5%
Total votes 54,192 100%

District 12

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph D. Youssouf 3,165 100%
Total votes 3,165 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John O. Bennett (incumbent) 4,340 100%
Total votes 4,340 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John O. Bennett (incumbent) 36,629 67.2%
Democratic Joseph D. Youssouf 15,151 27.8%
Abortion Is Murder Pat Daly 1,760 3.2%
Libertarian Helen L. Radder 941 1.7%
Total votes 54,481 100%

District 13

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James T. Phillips (incumbent) 3,525 100%
Total votes 3,525 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joe Kyrillos 3,167 100%
Total votes 3,167 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joe Kyrillos 34,547 67.8%
Democratic James T. Phillips (incumbent) 16,437 32.2%
Total votes 50,984 100%

District 14

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Francis J. McManimon (incumbent) 3,654 100%
Total votes 3,654 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Peter Inverso 2,620 100%
Total votes 2,620 100%

General election

This district was heavily redrawn following the 1990 census, replacing Franklin Township with Monroe Township and making it significantly more Republican. Nevertheless, the Florio administration argued that its blue-collar, conservative residents were those whom the tax package was most intended to help.[1]

The candidacy of former Republican Senator Peter Garibaldi, a Monroe resident and former mayor, also had the potential draw votes away from Inverso,[1] who had never campaigned outside of Mercer County.

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Peter Inverso 30,367 54.6%
Democratic Francis J. McManimon (incumbent) 20,496 36.8%
Independent Peter P. Garibaldi 4,791 8.6%
Total votes 55,654 100%

District 15

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gerald R. Stockman (incumbent) 7,691 82.56%
Democratic Richard N. Krajewski 1,625 17.44%
Total votes 9,316 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dick LaRossa 2,300 100%
Total votes 2,300 100%

General election

This was the narrowest race of the year. The 15th district, based in Trenton, was heavily Democratic.

During the campaign, Stockman, who had sponsored the tax increase, defended it and referred to Republican proposals to repeal it as "snake oil."[23] Stockman, the chair of the Senate County and Municipal Government Committee, had also sponsored a bill to reform tax assessment which critics said would create a mass exodus from larger cities, including Trenton.[24]

LaRossa became the first Republican to represent Trenton since 1946, the year he was born.[22]

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dick LaRossa 22,465 50.9%
Democratic Gerald R. Stockman (incumbent) 21,672 49.1%
Total votes 44,137 100%

District 16

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bonnie C. Sovinee 2,302 100%
Total votes 2,302 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John H. Ewing 8,757 100%
Total votes 8,757 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John H. Ewing 33,059 68.4%
Democratic Bonnie C. Sovinee 15,255 31.6%
Total votes 48,314 100%

District 17

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John A. Lynch Jr. (incumbent) 3,059 100%
Total votes 3,059 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edward R. Tiller 1,264 100%
Total votes 1,264 100%

General election

  • John A. Lynch Jr., incumbent Senator since 1982 and President of the New Jersey Senate (Democratic)
  • Edward Tiller (Republican)

This was the narrowest Democratic victory of the campaign; Lynch was serving as Senate President at the time and was opposed by the New Jersey Education Association, the state's primary public school union, for his sponsorship of the Quality Education Act and proposal to cap teachers' salaries.[25][10] In response to union opposition, Lynch accused the NJEA of "hiding behind" schoolchildren to justify salary increases.[10]

In announcing an almost exclusively Republican slate of legislative endorsements, the NJEA singled Lynch out for defeat by asking teachers to contribute "Ten for Tiller"—$10 each to Tiller's campaign.[10]

During the campaign, Lynch accused Tiller of lying about his military service in Korea. Other mailers accused Tiller of lying about his educational background, business experience, and qualifications for office. Tiller accused Lynch in turn of being under federal investigation and of numerous connections to organized crime. One independent mailer read, "John Lynch is CONNECTED to the UNDERWORLD."[26]

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John A. Lynch Jr. (incumbent) 17,053 52.0%
Republican Edward R. Tiller 15,718 48.0%
Total votes 32,771 100%

Lynch later sued Tiller and the NJEA for defamation. The complaint was dismissed after appeal to the Supreme Court of New Jersey.[26]

District 18

Democratic primary

Incumbent Senator Thomas Paterniti was challenged by Harry Pozycki in a rematch of their 1987 contest, which Paterniti narrowly won.[27]

This was the most closely watched primary in the state; party officials estimated that each candidate spent $150,000 before primary election day.[7][27]

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harry S. Pozycki 6,963 53.21%
Democratic Thomas H. Paterniti (incumbent) 6,122 46.79%
Total votes 13,085 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jack Sinagra 2,064 100%
Total votes 2,064 100%

General election

Pozycki had an uphill campaign against the Florio tax package. Though he himself was not an incumbent, Pozycki's Assembly running mate George A. Spadoro had voted in favor of the package.[27]

During the campaign, Sinagra proposed using turnpike funds to purchase NJ Transit.[28]

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jack Sinagra 28,638 53.5%
Democratic Harry S. Pozycki 24,889 46.5%
Total votes 53,527 100%

District 19

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Laurence S. Weiss (incumbent) 7,459 100%
Total votes 7,459 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Randy Corman 1,898 100%
Total votes 1,898 100%

General election

This blue-collar district had long been safely Democratic, but was put in play by the 1990 tax increase. Senator Weiss, the long-time chairman of the Senate Finance, Revenue and Appropriations committee, faced particular scrutiny as one of the initial authors and key supporters of the tax increase. He said, "I'm in a targeted district, but I'm not the target—I'm the bullseye."[29]

Corman publicly noted the tax issue was the center of his campaign: "There are other planks in my platform... But right now, the voters are concerned with taxes and I think Larry Weiss is more vulnerable than most Democrats."[29] One Corman ad depicted Weiss, Assembly incumbent Thomas J. Deverin, and Governor Florio with the caption, "For two years, Florio, Weiss and Deverin have been laughing all the way to the bank. On Nov. 5th, you can wipe the smile off their faces."[29]

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Randy Corman 25,536 55.6%
Democratic Laurence S. Weiss (incumbent) 20,396 44.4%
Total votes 45,932 100%

After his defeat, Weiss pushed for repeal of the tax package he had helped write.[30][31]

District 20

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raymond Lesniak (incumbent) 7,402 100%
Total votes 7,402 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeffrey B. Cohen 1,171 100%
Total votes 1,171 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raymond Lesniak (incumbent) 16,733 57.1%
Republican Jeffrey B. Cohen 12,585 42.9%
Total votes 29,318 100%

District 21

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathy Mills 3,242 100%
Total votes 3,242 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican C. Louis Bassano (incumbent) 5,423 %
Total votes 5,423 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican C. Louis Bassano (incumbent) 38,591 71.6%
Democratic Elly Manov 15,311 28.4%
Total votes 53,902 100%

District 22

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic June Fischer 2,413 100%
Total votes 2,413 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Donald DiFrancesco (incumbent) 7,057 100%
Total votes 7,057 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Donald DiFrancesco (incumbent) 32,872 78.2%
Populist John L. Kucek 9,153 21.8%
Total votes 42,025 100%

District 23

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George Goceljak 2,380 69.92%
Democratic Dan Seyler 1,024 30.08%
Total votes 3,404 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Schluter 8,242 100%
Total votes 8,242 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Schluter 34,936 72.4%
Democratic George Goceljak 13,317 27.6%
Total votes 48,253 100%

District 24

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frederick J. Katz Jr. 1,937 100%
Total votes 1,937 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Littell (incumbent) 8,119 52.78%
Republican George T. Daggett 7,264 47.22%
Total votes 15,383 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Littell (incumbent) 31,432 74.8%
Democratic Frederick J. Katz, Jr. 7,216 17.2%
Middle Class Alternative Gary “Buzz” Howell 3,363 8.0%
Total votes 42,011 100%

District 25

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Adele Montgomery 3,240 100%
Total votes 3,240 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John H. Dorsey (incumbent) 13,696 100%
Total votes 13,696 100%

General election

  • John H. Dorsey, incumbent Senator since 1978 and Senate Minority Leader[12] (Republican)
  • Adele Montgomery (Democratic)
1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John H. Dorsey (incumbent) 31,268 71.7%
Democratic Adele Montgomery 12,363 28.3%
Total votes 43,631 100%

District 26

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Drew Britcher 1,850 100%
Total votes 1,850 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Leanna Brown (incumbent) 8,357 100%
Total votes 8,357 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Leanna Brown (incumbent) 34,063 78.2%
Democratic Drew Britcher 9,514 21.8%
Total votes 43,577 100%

District 27

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Codey (incumbent) 8,568 60.89%
Democratic Mildred Barry Garvin 5,504 39.11%
Total votes 14,072 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles F. Cefalu 1,476 100%
Total votes 1,476 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Codey (incumbent) 19,677 68.1%
Republican Eugene J. Byrne 9,202 31.9%
Total votes 28,879 100%

District 28

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ronald Rice (incumbent) 6,611 100%
Total votes 6,611 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brenda Jean-Pierre 1,085 100%
Total votes 1,085 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ronald Rice (incumbent) 15,456 67.2%
Republican Brenda Jean-Pierre 6,876 29.9%
Socialist Workers Rachel H. Knapik 666 2.9%
Total votes 22,998 100%

District 29

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wynona Lipman (incumbent) 7,656 100%
Total votes 7,656 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wynona Lipman (incumbent) 14,911 100%
Total votes 14,911 100%

District 30

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Neil J. O'Connell 2,529 100%
Total votes 2,529 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John E. Dimon 3,862 100%
Total votes 3,862 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John E. Dimon 26,651 65.0%
Democratic Neil J. O’Connell 14,345 35.0%
Total votes 40,996 100%

District 31

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (incumbent) 8,221 100%
Total votes 8,221 100%

Republican primary

Bret Schundler, who served as New Jersey coordinator for Gary Hart's 1984 presidential campaign, switched his party registration to run as a Republican.[32]

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bret Schundler 738 62.60%
Republican Peter Varsalona 441 37.40%
Total votes 1,179 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (incumbent) 16,719 55.1%
Republican Bret Schundler 13,601 44.9%
Total votes 30,320 100%

District 32

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas F. Cowan (incumbent) 10,968 89.58%
Democratic Ralph Valentin 1,276 10.42%
Total votes 12,244 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Guy Catrillo 1,533 59.74%
Republican Esmat Zaklama 1,033 40.26%
Total votes 2,566 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas F. Cowan (incumbent) 21,128 57.1%
Republican Guy Catrillo 14,577 39.4%
Politicians Are Crooks Herbert H. Shaw 1,270 3.4%
Total votes 36,975 100%

District 33

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Menendez 8,005 100%
Total votes 8,005 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Carlos Munoz 1,294 53.03%
Republican Reinaldo Fernandez 1,146 46.97%
Total votes 2,440 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Menendez (incumbent) 19,151 68.9%
Republican Carlos Munoz 8,652 31.1%
Total votes 27,803 100%

District 34

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph A. Mecca 2,739 100%
Total votes 2,739 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph Bubba (incumbent) 3,395 100%
Total votes 3,395 100%

General election

Joseph Bubba was seen as a rare vulnerable incumbent Republican, partly due to Mecca's name recognition in the district and the independent candidacy of Republican Wayne mayor Newton Miller.[1]

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph Bubba (incumbent) 25,885 52.5%
Democratic Joseph A. Mecca 17,237 35.0%
Independent Newton E. Miller 6,193 12.6%
Total votes 49,315 100%

District 35

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Girgenti
Total votes 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pat Kramer %
Republican Walter W. Porter
Total votes 100%

General election

Because one of the district's two Assembly members, Frank Catania, was a Republican, this district was seen as potentially competitive before the primary.[27] Girgenti had won a special district party convention in 1990 to fill the seat left vacant by Senator Frank X. Graves Jr.

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Girgenti 15,859 53.2%
Republican Pat Kramer 13,965 46.8%
Total votes 29,824 100%

District 36

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gabriel M. Ambrosio (incumbent) 3,987 100%
Total votes 3,987 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John P. Scott 2,077 100%
Total votes 2,077 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John P. Scott 21,455 52.0%
Democratic Gabriel M. Ambrosio (incumbent) 19,775 48.0%
Total votes 41,230 100%

District 37

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew Feldman 3,358 100%
Total votes 3,358 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Todd Caliguire 1,690 100%
Total votes 1,690 100%

General election

  1. Feldman previously served in the Senate from 1966 to 1968.
1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew Feldman (incumbent) 24,309 53.6%
Republican Todd Caliguire 21,045 46.4%
Total votes 45,354 100%

District 38

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul Contillo 3,215 100%
Total votes 3,215 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Louis F. Kosco 2,891 100%
Total votes 2,891 100%

General election

Though all of the Bergen County districts were considered difficult to handicap due to redistricting, the 38th district was seen as among the closest, despite the fact that incumbent Paul Contillo voted against the Florio tax program.[1]

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Louis F. Kosco 27,748 55.4%
Democratic Paul Contillo (incumbent) 20,572 41.1%
Taxpayers Only Choice C. Fischer 1,773 3.5%
Total votes 50,093 100%

District 39

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mary Donohue 1,781 100%
Total votes 1,781 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gerald Cardinale (incumbent) 3,066 100%
Total votes 3,066 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gerald Cardinale (incumbent) 37,135 66.9%
Democratic Mary Donohue 18,336 33.1%
Total votes 55,471 100%

District 40

Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank R. Lucas Jr. 1,560 100%
Total votes 1,560 100%

Republican primary

1991 Republican primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry McNamara (incumbent) 3,781 100%
Total votes 3,781 100%

General election

1991 general election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry McNamara (incumbent) 36,666 75.5%
Democratic Frank R. Lucas 11,884 24.5%
Total votes 48,550 100%

References

  1. Sullivan, Joseph F. (November 1, 1991). "Focus Is on a Few Close Races for New Jersey Legislature". The New York Times. pp. B1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  2. Hajna, Lawrence R. (November 6, 1991). "GOP incumbents roll to wins over Democrats in 8th District". Courier-Post. pp. 7A. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  3. King, Wayne (July 23, 1990). "Florio Faces Growing Anti-Tax Storm in New Jersey". The New York Times. pp. B1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  4. Russakoff, Dale (April 12, 1993). "THE GOV WHOSE TIME HAS COME". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  5. Florio Faces Growing Anti-Tax Storm in New Jersey
  6. THE GOV WHOSE TIME HAS COME
  7. Sullivan, Joseph F. (June 3, 1991). "New Jersey Primary Offers Outlet for Voter Tax Anger". The New York Times. pp. B2. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2022.(subscription required)
  8. Gray, Jerry (February 28, 1993). "N.R.A. Makes Beating Florio Its Prime Issue". The New York Times. p. 33. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2022.(subscription required)
  9. King, Wayne (August 23, 1992). "N.R.A. Is Politically Armed and, to Florio, Dangerous". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015.(subscription required)
  10. King, Wayne (September 1, 1991). "Teachers Flunk Democrats (And Vice Versa) in Jersey". The New York Times. pp. R5. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  11. Weisman, Jonathan (October 23, 1991). "Shift in Education Politics Seen in N.J. Election Battle". Education Week. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  12. Gray, Jerry (October 31, 1991). "Hopes Fueling G.O.P. Battle in New Jersey". The New York Times. pp. B1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  13. Sullivan, Joseph F. (November 4, 1993). "THE 1993 ELECTIONS: New Jersey Legislature". The New York Times. pp. B7. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  14. "Official Results, Primary Election, June 4, 1991" (PDF). Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  15. "Official Results, General Election, November 5, 1991" (PDF). Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  16. Specter, Michael (July 25, 1991). "ONE STATE LAWMAKER, ONE VOTE AND POLITICAL WRATH OF THE NRA". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  17. Kovalevski, Serge F. (January 28, 2007). "Atlantic City Casinos Reap Anti-Blight Funds". The New York Times. Retrieved July 4, 2022. Meg Worthington, a township council member in Galloway Township for the last 21 years, said that her community, nine miles from Atlantic City, struggled to accommodate the growth the casinos have brought.
  18. Kessler, Harriet (December 17, 2008). "Campaign was 'tough but fun,' says Third District fledgling Congressman". Jewish Community Voice. Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  19. Reath, Viki (November 6, 1991). "Adler defeats Laskin for Senate seat in 6th District". Courier-Post. pp. 7A. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  20. Otterbein, Holly. "Norcrossing the Delaware: How South Jersey’s Political Boss Is Making His Move on Philly", Philadelphia (magazine), May 1, 2016. Accessed September 29, 2016. "Norcross was little more than a regional player 30 years ago. He ran the Camden County Democrats, but the GOP was firmly in control of the board of freeholders. Still, Norcross asked State Senator Lee Laskin, a Republican, for a favor: Would he put Norcross's dad on the New Jersey Racing Commission?"
  21. Tamman, Maurice (November 6, 1991). "Republicans assume control of 7th District". Camden Courier-Post. pp. 7A. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  22. Gray, Jerry (September 4, 1992). "Television's 'Lottery Guy' Strives to Stay in Senate". The New York Times. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  23. King, Wayne (October 19, 1991). "Year After Tax Leap, New Jersey Faces Budget Gap". The New York Times. p. 26. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  24. Garbarine, Rachelle (November 11, 1990). "Assessment Reform Stirs Controversy". The New York Times. pp. NJ13. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  25. Arco, Matt; Livio, Susan K. (August 7, 2016). "5 reasons why the NJEA union is so influential in Trenton". NJ.com. Retrieved July 4, 2022. In 1991, when Senate President John Lynch proposed a cap on teacher salaries, the NJEA financed a campaign against him that came within 1,800 votes of succeeding.
  26. Lynch v. New Jersey Education Association, 161 N.J. 152 (1999).
  27. Romano, Jay (June 2, 1991). "Tuesday's Primary Election Offers Subtle Warning of a Coming Storm". The New York Times. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  28. Sinagra, Jack (June 2, 1991). "A Proposal to Buy N. J. Transit". The New York Times. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  29. Gray, Jerry. "Tax Increase Turns a Once-Confident New Jersey Senator Nervous", The New York Times, November 1, 1991. Accessed July 7, 2010.
  30. King, Wayne. "Unlikely Bedfellows Put New Spin on Trenton Tax Debate", The New York Times, December 1, 1991. Accessed July 7, 2010.
  31. Gray, Jerry. "Senate Democrats Promote 11th-Hour Tax Repeal", The New York Times, December 9, 1991. Accessed July 7, 2010.
  32. Berke, Richard L. (February 9, 1994). "For National G.O.P., a Mayor as a Poster Boy; Schundler, an Unabashed Conservative, Wants to Use Image to Help Jersey City". The New York Times. pp. B1. Retrieved July 4, 2022. A 1981 graduate of Harvard University, [Schundler] plunged into politics as a New Jersey coordinator for former Senator Gary Hart, who was running for the 1984 Democratic Presidential nomination. Then he went to work on Wall Street for Salomon Brothers, the huge investment banking house. He changed his party registration to Republican in 1991 to make an unsuccessful run for one of Hudson County's three State Senate seats.
  33. Wildstein, David (April 29, 2020). "In Memoriam". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  34. Wildstein, David (March 17, 2022). "Old xenophobic mailer could haunt Caliguire bid for Bergen County Executive". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved July 4, 2022. But Caliguire, who achieved some early success as an aide to Gov. Thomas Kean and Attorney General Cary Edwards in the 1980s, washed out early.
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