1973 New Jersey Senate election

1973 New Jersey Senate election

November 6, 1973
All 40 seats in the New Jersey State Senate 21 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party Third party   Leader J. Edward Crabiel Alfred Beadleston Party Democratic Republican Independent Leader's seat 7th (retired) 5th (redistricted) Last election 16 24 0 Seats before 17 21 0 Seats won 29 10 1 Seat change 12 11 1
Results by district      Democratic hold      Democratic gain      Republican hold      Republican gain      Independent gain
Senate President before election Alfred Beadleston Republican Elected Senate President Frank J. Dodd Democratic

The 1973 New Jersey Senate elections were held on November 6. The result of the elections were large gains for the Democratic Party, which won control of the Senate. The party picked up twelve seats. This election marked the first time since 1967 that Democrats controlled the State Senate.

The election coincided with Brendan Byrne's landslide re-election over Republican Charles W. Sandman Jr. The election also took place amidst the height of the Watergate scandal, just weeks after the Saturday Night Massacre.

This was also the first New Jersey Senate election held using single-member districts, as the state completed its long transition following the 1964 Reynolds v. Sims decision. As of 2022, it remains the largest single change in seats for Democrats or any party since single-member districts were adopted. This remains the greatest number of seats held by the Democrats since the adoption of single members districts.

Background

The new 1973 districts after redistricting, the first under the modern New Jersey districting standard.

Redistricting

See also: Reynolds v. Sims

Until 1965, the New Jersey State Senate was composed of 21 senators, with each county electing one senator. After the U.S. Supreme Court, in Reynolds v. Sims (more commonly known as One Man, One Vote), required redistricting by state legislatures for congressional districts to keep represented populations equal, as well as requiring both houses of state legislatures to have districts drawn that contained roughly equal populations, and to perform redistricting when needed. In 1965, the Senate was increased from 21 members to 29 members, and larger counties were given more than one seat, and some smaller counties shared one or two senators. The map was changed again in 1967, and again in 1971, as the state adjusted to the one man, one vote ruling.

For the first time, the state was to be divided into 40 legislative districts, with each district electing one State Senator and two members of the General Assembly. The districts were drawn first to achieve a population balance (districts were drawn to be within +/- 4% of each other), and then to be as geographically compact as possible.

For the most part, incumbent senators were given their own districts in which to run, with one exception. Senators William J. Bate and Joseph Hirkala, both of Passaic County (District 14), were re-districted into the same district, numbered 34. Bate successfully ran for Assembly rather than challenge Hirkala.

Incumbents not running for re-election

Democratic

• J. Edward Crabiel, Middlesex (District 18) (ran for Governor)
• Norman Tanzman, Middlesex (District 19)
• Ralph DeRose, Essex (District 28) (ran for Governor)
• William J. Bate, Passaic (District 30) (redistricted; ran for Assembly)
• William F. Kelly Jr., Hudson (District 32)

Republican

• Frank Italiano, Camden (District 5)
• John F. Brown, Ocean (District 9)
• Peter W. Thomas, Morris (District 24)
• Harold C. Hollenbeck, Bergen (District 36)
• Alfred D. Schiaffo, Bergen (District 39)

Two incumbent Republican senators were elected to Congress in 1972 and resigned in January 1973 to take their seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Both seats were won by Democrats:

• District 21: Matthew John Rinaldo was succeeded by Democrat Thomas Dunn, the Mayor of Elizabeth.
• District 23: Joseph Maraziti was succeeded by Democrat Stephen Wiley, a Morristown attorney.

Summary of results by State Senate District

1972–74 District	Incumbent	Party		New District	Elected Senator	Party
District 1	James Cafiero		Rep	1st Legislative District	James Cafiero		Rep
District 2	Joseph McGahn		Dem	2nd Legislative District	Joseph McGahn		Dem
District 3A	Vacant			3rd Legislative District	Raymond Zane		Dem
District 3B	Joseph Maressa		Dem	4th Legislative District	Joseph Maressa		Dem
District 3D	Frank Italiano		Rep	5th Legislative District	John Horn		Dem
District 3C	John L. Miller		Rep	6th Legislative District	Alene Ammond		Dem
District 4C	Edward J. Hughes		Dem	7th Legislative District	Edward J. Hughes		Dem
District 4B	Barry T. Parker		Rep	8th Legislative District	Barry T. Parker		Rep
District 4A	John F. Brown		Rep	9th Legislative District	John F. Russo		Dem
District 5	Richard Stout		Rep	10th Legislative District	Herbert Buehler		Dem
	Alfred Beadleston		Rep	11th Legislative District	Alfred Beadleston		Rep
	Joseph Azzolina		Rep	12th Legislative District	Eugene Bedell		Dem
District 6B	Joseph P. Merlino		Dem	13th Legislative District	Joseph P. Merlino		Dem
District 6A	William Schluter		Rep	14th Legislative District	Anne Clark Martindell		Dem
District 15	Wayne Dumont Jr.		Rep	15th Legislative District	Wayne Dumont Jr.		Rep
District 8	Raymond Bateman		Rep	16th Legislative District	Raymond Bateman		Rep
District 7	John A. Lynch Sr.		Dem	17th Legislative District	John A. Lynch Sr.		Dem
	J. Edward Crabiel		Dem	18th Legislative District	Bernard Dwyer		Dem
	Norman Tanzman		Dem	19th Legislative District	John Fay		Dem
District 9	Frank X. McDermott		Rep	20th Legislative District	Alexander J. Menza		Dem
	Thomas G. Dunn		Dem	21st Legislative District	Thomas G. Dunn		Dem
	Jerome Epstein		Rep	22nd Legislative District	Peter J. McDonough		Rep
District 10	Vacant			23rd Legislative District	Stephen B. Wiley		Dem
	Peter W. Thomas		Rep	24th Legislative District	James P. Vreeland		Rep
District 11	James H. Wallwork		Rep	25th Legislative District	James H. Wallwork		Rep
	Frank J. Dodd		Dem	26th Legislative District	Frank J. Dodd		Dem
	Michael Giuliano		Rep	27th Legislative District	Carmen Orechio		Dem
	Ralph DeRose		Dem	28th Legislative District	Martin L. Greenberg		Dem
	Wynona Lipman		Dem	29th Legislative District	Wynona Lipman		Dem
	N/A			30th Legislative District	Anthony Imperiale		Ind
District 12	James P. Dugan		Dem	31st Legislative District	James P. Dugan		Dem
	William F. Kelly Jr.		Dem	32nd Legislative District	Joseph W. Tumulty		Dem
	William Musto		Dem	33rd Legislative District	William Musto		Dem
District 14	Joseph Hirkala		Dem	34th Legislative District	Joseph Hirkala		Dem
	William J. Bate		Dem
	Joseph Lazzara		Dem	35th Legislative District	Frank Davenport		Rep
District 13	Harold Hollenbeck		Rep	36th Legislative District	Anthony Scardino		Dem
	Joseph Woodcock		Rep	37th Legislative District	Matthew Feldman		Dem
	Frederick Wendel		Rep	38th Legislative District	John Skevin		Dem
	Alfred Schiaffo		Rep	39th Legislative District	Raymond Garramone		Dem
	Garrett Hagedorn		Rep	40th Legislative District	Garrett Hagedorn		Rep

Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

1. District 35, 0.28%
2. District 14, 3.06%
3. District 22, 4.64%
4. District 24, 5.24%
5. District 38, 5.29%
6. District 8, 5.64%
7. District 23, 6.12%
8. District 27, 6.18%
9. District 6, 6.32%
10. District 11, 8.10%
11. District 25, 8.48%
12. District 39, 8.58%
13. District 9, 9.06%
14. District 15, 9.98%

Incumbents defeated

In primary elections

Republicans

One incumbent Republican Senator was defeated for renomination in the June primary and Republicans held that seat:

• District 22: Jerome Epstein (R-Union), succeeded by Republican Peter J. McDonough, an Assemblyman from Union County. McDonough won 60%-40% over the incumbent, who was facing an indictment.

In general elections

Democrats

• District 35: Joseph Lazzara (D-Passaic) lost to Republican Frank Davenport, the Passaic County Sheriff.

Republicans

• District 6: John L. Miller (R-Camden) lost to Democrat Alene Ammond.
• District 10: Richard Stout (R-Monmouth) lost to Democrat Herbert Buehler.
• District 12: Joseph Azzolina (R-Monmouth) lost to Democrat Eugene Bedell, an Assemblyman from Monmouth County.
• District 14: William Schluter (R-Mercer) lost to Democrat Anne Clark Martindell. the Vice Chairwoman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.
• District 20: Frank X. McDermott (R-Union) lost to Democrat Alexander J. Menza, an Assemblyman from Union County.
• District 27: Michael Giuliano (R-Essex) lost to Democrat Carmen Orechio, the Mayor of Nutley.
• District 37: Joseph Woodcock (R-Bergen) lost to Democrat Matthew Feldman. a former State Senator and the Bergen County Democratic Chairman.
• District 38: Frederick Wendel (R-Bergen) lost to Democrat John Skevin, a former Assemblyman from Bergen County.

Open seats

Democratic gains

• District 5: Frank Italiano (R-Camden), succeeded by Democrat John Horn, the Assembly Minority Leader, from Camden County.
• District 9: John F. Brown (R-Ocean), succeeded by Democrat John F. Russo, a former Ocean County Prosecutor.
• District 36: Harold Hollenbeck (R-Bergen), succeeded by Democrat Anthony Scardino, the Mayor of Lyndhurst.
• District 39: Alfred Schiaffo (R-Bergen), succeeded by Raymond Garramone, the Mayor of Haworth.

Independent gain

• District 30: William Bate (D-Passaic), succeeded by Independent Anthony Imperiale, an Assemblyman from Essex County. (Bate was redistricted into District 34, where Democrat Joseph Hirkala lived; instead of challenging Hirkala in the primary, he instead ran successfully for the State Assembly.)

Democratic holds

• District 18: J. Edward Crabiel (D-Middlesex), who briefly sought the 1973 Democratic nomination for Governor, succeeded by Democrat Bernard Dwyer, the Mayor of Edison.
• District 19: Norman Tanzman (D-Middlesex), succeeded by Democrat John Fay, an Assemblyman from Middlesex County.
• District 28: Ralph DeRose (D-Essex), who lost to Brendan Byrne in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, succeeded by Democrat Martin L. Greenberg, who was Byrne's law partner.
• District 32: William F. Kelly, Jr. (D-Hudson), succeeded by Democrat Joseph W. Tumulty.

Republican hold

• District 24: Peter W. Thomas (R-Morris), succeeded by Republican James P. Vreeland, an Assemblyman from Morris County.

District 1

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James S. Cafiero	15,580	100.00%
Total votes			15,580	100.00%

Democratic primary

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William R. Bowen	3,774	100.00%
Total votes			3,774	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• William E. Bowen, director of the Bridgeton Housing Authority and former City Councilman
• James S. Cafiero, incumbent Senator

Results

1st Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James S. Cafiero (incumbent)	34,807	58.26%
	Democratic	William E. Bowen	24,933	41.74%
Total votes			59,740	100.00%

District 2

This district consisted of most of Atlantic County, as well as Little Egg Harbor Township, Tuckerton, and rural parts of Burlington County within the Pine Barrens.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Irving A. Lilienfeld, Atlantic County Freeholder
• F. Frederick Perone, former Atlantic City municipal judge

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Irving Lilienfeld	12,832	60.23%
	Republican	F. Frederick Perone	8,474	39.77%
Total votes			21,306	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Michael J. Matthews, Atlantic County Freeholder
• Joseph McGahn, incumbent Senator

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph McGahn (incumbent)	3,498	50.36%
	Democratic	Michael J. Matthews	3,448	49.64%
Total votes			6,946	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Irving A. Lilienfeld, Atlantic County Freeholder (Republican)
• Joseph McGahn, incumbent Senator (Democratic)

Campaign

Both candidates supported a statewide referendum on legalized gambling. Lilienfeld and his running mates supported a statewide coordinated mass transit program, while the Democratic ticket supported a county-wide transportation program. The Republicans also emphasized crackdowns on welfare fraud and stricter drug control, while the Democrats campaigned to attract more light industry to the region.

Results

2nd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph McGahn (incumbent)	32,043	55.09%
	Republican	Irving A. Lilienfeld	26,120	44.91%
Total votes			58,163	100.00%

District 3

Republican primary

Candidates

• Robert E. Boakes, Woodbury attorney and former municipal judge
• Walter Fish, Gloucester County Sheriff (write-in)
• James M. Turner, incumbent Senator (until June 28)

Declined

• Kenneth A. Black Jr., Assemblyman from Salem County
• David Stroud, Woodbury attorney

Campaign

Turner was removed from his seat on June 28 after his conviction for conspiracy to place 6,500 amphetamine tablets in the home of Kenneth A. Gewertz, the Democratic Assemblyman from the district. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

The conviction barred Turner from holding state office. Nevertheless, Turner remained in the race, saying "I intend to win, and I expect the Senate to seat me."

Because it was too late to remove Turner from the ballot, an appeal was made to remove him, which a judge denied. The Republican Party attempted to run a write-in campaign for Gloucester Sheriff Walter Fish instead.

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James Turner (incumbent)	5,545	41.07%
	Republican	Walter E. Fish Jr. (write-in)	4,678	34.65%
	Republican	Robert E. Boakes	3,277	24.27%
Total votes			13,500	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Raymond Zane, Gloucester County Freeholder

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Raymond Zane	6,834	100.00%
Total votes			6,834	100.00%

General election

Results

3rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Raymond Zane	34,266	79.94%
	Republican	James Turner (incumbent)	8,598	20.06%
Total votes			42,864	100.00%

District 4

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Thomas E. Jenkins	5,173	100.00%
Total votes			5,173	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Joseph A. Maressa, incumbent Senator
• Robert W. Yost, Gloucester Township registrar of deeds

Yost was backed by Angelo Errichetti and Jack Gasparre, the mayor of Cherry Hill.

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph A. Maressa (incumbent)	7,533	69.12%
	Democratic	Robert W. Yost	3,366	30.88%
Total votes			10,899	100.00%

General election

Results

4th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph A. Maressa	31,729	63.79%
	Republican	Thomas E. Jenkins	18,012	36.21%
Total votes			49,741	100.00%

District 5

Republican primary

Candidates

Declined

• Frank Italiano, incumbent Senator

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Richard C. Hardenbergh	4,794	100.00%
Total votes			4,794	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John J. Horn, Assembly Minority Leader

Declined

• James Florio, Assemblyman

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John J. Horn	6,680	100.00%
Total votes			6,680	100.00%

General election

5th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John J. Horn	25,999	65.20%
	Republican	Richard C. Hardenberg	13,509	33.88%
	Socialist Labor	Dominic W. Doganiero	369	0.93%
Total votes			39,877	100.00%

District 6

Republican primary

Candidates

• John L. Miller, incumbent Senator

Declined

• William K. Dickey, Assemblyman from Collingswood

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John L. Miller (incumbent)	10,857	100.00%
Total votes			10,857	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Alene Ammond, candidate for Cherry Hill City Council in 1967
• John P. Jehl, Voorhees attorney and former assistant Camden County prosecutor

The Democratic primary was part of a countywide power struggle between party chair James Joyce and Cherry Hill party leader Jack Gasparre, who was also backed by Angelo Errichetti, the leader of the Camden Democratic organization and the mayor-elect. The camps were also divided in their choices for Governor; Gasparre and Errichetti backed Brendan Byrne, while Joyce backed Ralph DeRose. As a corollary to their fight over control of the party, Gasparre backed a separate slate of legislative candidates in this and other districts. Although the sixth district was heavily Republican, it was considered crucial because it centered on Cherry Hill, and Gasparre considered it his home base. To counter Gasparre's ticket, Joyce recruited Alene Ammond, a political gadfly who had run an unsuccessful campaign for Cherry Hill council in 1967 and whose proposal to reorganize the Cherry Hill government was rejected by voters in 1972.

Ammond campaigned against Jehl as a puppet of Errichetti, whom she charged with bossism and corruption; the Gasparre ticket made the same accusations of Joyce. All candidates indicated varying opposition to a static income tax; Ammond and Jehl disagreed on casino gambling, with Jehl supporting its legalization in some areas if approved by voters and Ammond outright opposing its legalization. Ammond also came out in support of a deepwater oil port, despite Ralph DeRose's vote against it.

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Alene Ammond	4,361	53.07%
	Democratic	John P. Jehl	3,857	46.93%
Total votes			8,218	100.00%

General election

Although the district was considered safely Republican after the Republican majority was increased to 8,600 votes by redistricting, Ammond won an upset over Senator Miller.

6th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Alene Ammond	27,320	53.16%
	Republican	John L. Miller (incumbent)	24,072	46.84%
Total votes			51,392	100.00%

District 7

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Walter L. Smith Jr.	7,544	100.00%
Total votes			7,544	100.00%

Democratic primary

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Edward J. Hughes Jr. (incumbent)	6,420	100.00%
Total votes			6,420	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Bernardo Doganiero, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
• Edward J. Hughes Jr., incumbent Senator (Democratic)
• Walter L. Smith Jr., former Senator (Republican)

This race was a rematch of the 1971 contest between Hughes and Smith; Hughes won by an increased majority despite redistricting making the district more Republican and Smith resolving divisions within the party which had doomed him in 1971.

7th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Edward J. Hughes Jr. (incumbent)	26,863	57.88%
	Republican	Walter L. Smith Jr.	19,317	41.62%
	Socialist Labor	Bernardo S. Doganiero	231	0.50%
Total votes			46,411

District 8

This district consisted of rural and suburban parts of Burlington County and eastern Mercer County, as well as Allentown, Roosevelt, and Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County and Lakehurst and Manchester Township in Ocean County.

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Barry T. Parker (incumbent)	8,058	100.00%
Total votes			8,058	100.00%

Democratic primary

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Salvatore DiDonato	5,168	100.00%
Total votes			5,168	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Salvatore DiDonato, Mercer County Community College administrator (Democratic)
• Barry T. Parker, incumbent Senator (Republican)

Campaign

DiDonato attacked Parker for his alleged support for special interest groups, particularly those involving workers' compensation issues. Parker, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pledged "complete honesty and integrity in government."

Results

8th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Barry T. Parker (incumbent)	23,422	52.82%
	Democratic	Salvatoro L. DiDonato	20,923	47.18%
Total votes			44,345	100.00%

District 9

This district consisted of most of Ocean County, except for Little Egg Harbor, Tuckerton, and Manchester. It also took in Woodland Township in Burlington County and Millstone in Monmouth County. The largest towns in the district were Toms River and Lakewood.

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John F. Brown	14,896	100.00%
Total votes			14,896	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Gaetano J. Alaimo, mayor of South Toms River
• Wesley K. Bell, mayor of Stafford Township
• Mark E. Egan, independent candidate for Freeholder in 1971
• John F. Russo, Ocean County Democratic Party chair and former Ocean County Prosecutor

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John F. Russo	4,259	61.00%
	Democratic	Mark E. Egan	1,295	18.55%
	Democratic	Wesley K. Bell	1,070	15.33%
	Democratic	Gaetano J. Alaimo	358	5.13%
Total votes			6,982	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Benjamin H. Mabie, Assemblyman from Pine Beach (Republican)
• John F. Russo, former Ocean County Prosecutor (Democratic)

Campaign

Tax reform was the overriding issue in the race. Mabie and his Republican running mates opposed an income tax and advocated using state lottery revenue and the $200 million budget surplus to fund public education. This plan was predicated on passage of federal legislation absorbing state welfare costs.

Results

9th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John F. Russo	38,388	54.53%
	Republican	Benjamin H. Mabie	32,010	45.47%
Total votes			70,398	100.00%

District 10

This Monmouth County district consisted of Wall Township and a series of shore towns: Monmouth Beach, Long Branch, Deal, Allenhurst, Loch Arbour, Interlaken, Ocean Township, Asbury Park, Neptune, Neptune City, Bradley Beach, Avon, Belmar, South Belmar, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Sea Girt, Manasquan, Brielle, Point Pleasant, and Point Pleasant Beach.

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Richard R. Stout	10,248	100.00%
Total votes			10,248	100.00%

Democratic primary

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Herbert J. Buehler	5,038	100.00%
Total votes			5,038	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Herbert J. Buehler, Ocean Township teacher (Democratic)
• Richard R. Stout, incumbent Senator (Republican)

Campaign

Buehler focused his attacks on Stout's transportation record, charging that he failed to attract state and federal grants to solve the region's railroad issues. Stout maintained that he and other Republicans had attempted to do so, but were obstructed by the bankruptcy of the Penn Central Railroad. Stout also backed Republican gubernatorial nominee Charles W. Sandman's proposal for a mass transit agency, while Buehler backed his party's candidate, Brendan Byrne, by proposing that the Port Authority should assume responsibility for electrifying the New York and Long Branch Railroad.

The district was considered a Republican stronghold; Stout had been in office for 22 years. However, Buehler hoped to benefit from the popularity of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brendan Byrne in the district.

Results

10th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Herbert J. Buehler	29,819	55.11%
	Republican	Richard R. Stout (incumbent)	24,294	44.89%
Total votes			54,113	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 11

This district was located entirely within Monmouth County. It included the municipalities of Atlantic Higlands, Colts Neck, Eatontown, Englishtown, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Freehold, Freehold Township, Hazlet Township, Highlands, Holmdel, Howell Township, Little Silver, Manalapan Township, Marlboro Township, New Shrewsbury, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Township, and West Long Branch.

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Alfred N. Beadleston	6,845	100.00%
Total votes			6,845	100.00%

Democratic primary

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph Dietz	5,288	100.00%
Total votes			5,288	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Alfred N. Beadleston, incumbent Senator and President of the New Jersey Senate (Republican)
• H. Joseph Dietz, Colts Neck businessman (Democratic)

Campaign

Beadleston took a low-profile approach to his campaign. Dietz, who ran an individual campaign separate from his Assembly running mates, challenged Beadleston to debates but was ignored or rejected. At one point, Dietz challenged Beadleston to a debate while Beadleston was serving as acting Governor.

Both candidates opposed a state income tax and supported cuts to welfare spending. They differed on how to reduce welfare spending, with Beadleston supporting a state takeover and Dietz supporting a federal takeover.

Results

11th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Alfred N. Beadleston (incumbent)	27,718	54.05%
	Democratic	H. Joseph Dietz	23,564	45.95%
Total votes			51,282	100.00%

District 12

This district was composed of the northern Monmouth County and southeastern Middlesex County. It included the Monmouth municipalities of Red Bank, Keansburg, Union Beach, Keyport, Matawan, Middletown Township and the Middlesex municipalities of Jamesburg, Madison Township (renamed Old Bridge in 1975), and Monroe Township.

Madison, Monroe, and Middletown were the largest and most politically significant municipalities.

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Joseph Azzolina (incumbent)	4,863	100.00%
Total votes			4,863	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Eugene J. Bedell, incumbent Assemblyman

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Eugene J. Bedell	6,165	100.00%
Total votes			6,165	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Joseph Azzolina, incumbent Senator (Republican)
• Eugene Bedell, Assemblyman and labor union manager (Democratic)
• Peter P. Garibaldi, Assemblyman and public accountant (Independent)

Peter P. Garibaldi, an incumbent Republican Assemblyman, entered the race after the Middlesex Republican Party denied him their nomination.

Campaign

This race featured three men who would serve in the Senate at some point: the incumbent Joseph Azzolina, the victor Eugene Bedell, and future Senator Peter P. Garibaldi. Though Garibaldi was a Republican, his campaign was expected to draw liberal Democratic voters away from Bedell.

One of the key issues in the campaign was the potential construction of a deepwater port. Azzolina was opposed to a port in the district; Bedell initially favored it before softening his stance. Bedell's Assembly running mates opposed a port until it could be deemed safe. Garibaldi received the highest score from the New Jersey Environmental Voters Alliance.

Results

12th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Eugene J. Bedell	29,193	58.80%
	Republican	Joseph Azzolina (incumbent)	17,492	35.23%
	United Ind.	Peter P. Garibaldi	2,967	5.98%
Total votes			49,652	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 13

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Patrick J. Wilder	2,668	100.00%
Total votes			2,668	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Joseph P. Merlino, incumbent Senator (District 6B)

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph P. Merlino	7,988	100.00%
Total votes			7,988	100.00%

General election

13th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph P. Merlino (incumbent)	34,826	74.45%
	Republican	Patrick J. Wilder	11,953	25.55%
Total votes			46,779	100.00%

District 14

Republican primary

Candidates

• William Schluter, incumbent Senator (District 6A)

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William Schluter (incumbent)	9,350	100.00%
Total votes			9,350	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Anne Clark Martindell, vice chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Anne Clark Martindell	7,346	100.00%
Total votes			7,346	100.00%

General election

14th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Anne Clark Martindell	29,512	51.53%
	Republican	William Schluter (incumbent)	27,755	48.47%
Total votes			57,267	100.00%

District 15

Republican primary

Candidates

• Wayne Dumont Jr., incumbent Senator since 1968 (District 15)

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Wayne Dumont Jr. (incumbent)	10,827	100.00%
Total votes			10,827	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Martin F. Murphy, West Milford attorney

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Martin F. Murphy	5,883	100.00%
Total votes			5,883	100.00%

General election

15th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Wayne Dumont Jr.	29,861	54.99%
	Democratic	Martin F. Murphy	24,445	45.01%
Total votes			54,306	100.00%

District 16

Republican primary

Candidates

• Raymond Bateman, incumbent Senator since 1958 (District 8)

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Raymond Bateman (incumbent)	11,969	100.00%
Total votes			11,969	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Herbert Koransky

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Herbert Koransky	3,927	100.00%
Total votes			3,927	100.00%

General election

16th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Raymond Bateman (incumbent)	34,153	63.98%
	Democratic	Herbert Koransky	19,230	36.02%
Total votes			53,383	100.00%

District 17

Republican primary

Candidates

• Robert K. Harlig Jr.

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert K. Harling Jr.	3,239	100.00%
Total votes			3,239	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John Lynch, incumbent Senator since 1956 (District 7)

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Lynch (incumbent)	6,133	100.00%
Total votes			6,133	100.00%

General election

17th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Lynch (incumbent)	30,912	70.69%
	Republican	Dominic R. Ciardi	12,434	28.44%
	American	John Giammarco	381	0.87%
Total votes			43,727	100.00%

District 18

Republican primary

Candidates

• Fuller H. Brooks

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Fuller H. Brooks	4,149	100.00%
Total votes			4,149	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bernard J. Dwyer, Mayor of Edison

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bernard J. Dwyer	9,470	100.00%
Total votes			9,470	100.00%

General election

18th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bernard J. Dwyer	36,606	63.22%
	Republican	Fuller H. Brooks	21,301	36.78%
Total votes			57,907	100.00%

District 19

Republican primary

Candidates

• Matthew E. Hawke

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Matthew E. Hawke	1,785	100.00%
Total votes			1,785	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John J. Fay Jr., incumbent Assemblyman

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John J. Fay Jr.	8,509	100.00%
Total votes			8,509	100.00%

General election

19th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John J. Fay Jr.	38,496	78.55%
	Republican	Matthew H. Hawke	10,511	21.45%
Total votes			49,007	100.00%

District 20

Republican primary

Candidates

• Francis X. McDermott, incumbent Senator (District 9)

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Francis X. McDermott (incumbent)	8,450	100.00%
Total votes			8,450	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Alexander J. Menza, incumbent Assemblyman

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Alexander Menza	6,654	100.00%
Total votes			6,654	100.00%

General election

20th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Alexander J. Menza	34,040	56.33%
	Republican	Francis X. McDermott (incumbent)	26,084	43.16%
	Individualist	Oscar B. Johannsen	305	0.50%
Total votes			60,429	100.00%

District 21

Republican primary

Candidates

• William G. Palermo Jr.

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William G. Palermo Jr.	2,505	100.00%
Total votes			2,505	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Thomas G. Dunn, incumbent Senator

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Thomas G. Dunn	9,478	100.00%
Total votes			9,478	100.00%

General election

21st Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Thomas G. Dunn	26,138	62.72%
	Republican	William G. Palermo Jr.	14,396	34.55%
	Independent	Anthony Carbone	1,137	2.73%
Total votes			41,671	100.00%

District 22

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jerome Epstein, incumbent Senator (District 9)
• Peter McDonough, incumbent Assemblyman

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Peter McDonough	7,214	60.37%
	Republican	Jerome Epstein (incumbent)	4,735	39.63%
Total votes			11,949	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• William Wright Jr.

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William Wright Jr.	5,962	100.00%
Total votes			5,962	100.00%

General election

22nd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Peter J. McDonough	27,827	52.32%
	Democratic	William Wright Jr.	25,361	47.68%
Total votes			53,188	100.00%

District 23

Republican primary

Candidates

• Josephine Margetts, incumbent Assemblywoman
• Joseph F. Warganz

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Josephine Margetts	9,702	60.37%
	Republican	Joseph F. Warganz	3,062	39.63%
Total votes			12,764	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Stephen B. Wiley, Morris Township attorney

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Stephen B. Wiley	6,910	100.00%
Total votes			6,910	100.00%

General election

23rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Stephen B. Wiley	27,303	53.06%
	Republican	Josephine Margetts	24,157	46.94%
Total votes			51,460	100.00%

District 24

Republican primary

Candidates

• Peter W. Thomas, incumbent Senator (District 10)

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Peter W. Thomas (incumbent)	10,550	100.00%
Total votes			10,550	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John C. Keefe

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John C. Keefe	5,212	100.00%
Total votes			5,212	100.00%

General election

24th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James P. Vreeland Jr.	26,004	52.62%
	Democratic	John C. Keefe	23,417	47.38%
Total votes			49,421	100.00%

District 25

Republican primary

Candidates

• James Wallwork, incumbent Senator (District 11)

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James Wallwork (incumbent)	10,727	100.00%
Total votes			10,727	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Donald S. Coburn
• Joel Wasserman

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joel Wasserman	4,144	62.59%
	Democratic	Donald S. Coburn	2,477	37.41%
Total votes			6,621	100.00%

General election

25th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James Wallwork (incumbent)	30,552	54.24%
	Democratic	Joel Wasserman	25,778	45.76%
Total votes			56,330	100.00%

District 26

Republican primary

Candidates

• Salvatore Beninanti

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Salvatore Beninanti	3,380	100.00%
Total votes			3,380	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Frank J. Dodd, incumbent Senator (District 11)
• Joseph A. Lazaro

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank J. Dodd (incumbent)	14,513	83.63%
	Democratic	Joseph A. Lazaro	2,841	16.37%
Total votes			17,354	100.00%

General election

26th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank J. Dodd (incumbent)	33,223	75.11%
	Republican	Salvatore J. Beninati	11,012	24.89%
Total votes			44,235	100.00%

District 27

Republican primary

Candidates

• Michael A. Giuliano, incumbent Senator (District 11)

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michael A. Giuliano	8,565	100.00%
Total votes			8,565	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Carmen Orechio, mayor of Nutley

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Carmen Orechio	8,039	100.00%
Total votes			8,039	100.00%

General election

27th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Carmen Orechio	29,878	53.09%
	Republican	Michael A. Giuliano	26,395	46.91%
Total votes			56,273	100.00%

District 28

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joseph Galluzzi

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Joseph Galluzzi	3,160	100.00%
Total votes			3,160	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Martin L. Greenberg, attorney, candidate for Senator in 1971, and political director for Governor Brendan Byrne's re-election campaign

Declined

• Ralph DeRose, incumbent Senator (District 11) (running for Governor)

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Martin L. Greenberg	7,432	100.00%
Total votes			7,432	100.00%

General election

28th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Martin L. Greenberg	22,290	60.31%
	Republican	Joseph P. Galluzzi	13,601	36.80%
	American	Chris Marciano	1,070	2.89%
Total votes			36,961	100.00%

District 29

Republican primary

Candidates

• Lillie Simpson

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Lillie Simpson	613	100.00%
Total votes			613	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator (District 11)

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wynona Lipman (incumbent)	7,360	100.00%
Total votes			7,360	100.00%

General election

29th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wynona Lipman (incumbent)	16,071	83.84%
	Republican	Lillie Simpson	3,098	16.16%
Total votes			19,169	100.00%

District 30

Republican primary

Candidates

• C. Richard Fiore, incumbent Assemblyman from Newark

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	C. Richard Fiore	2,641	100.00%
Total votes			2,641	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Gregory J. Castano, Newark Star-Ledger sportswriter
• Mary V. Senatore, Belleville Commissioner

Campaign

The campaign pitted the Hudson County Democratic Organization, which supported Castano, against the Essex County Organization, which supported Senatore.

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gregory J. Castano	9,231	54.01%
	Democratic	Mary V. Senatore	7,859	45.99%
Total votes			17,090	100.00%

General election

30th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	For The People	Anthony Imperiale	24,756	49.34%
	Democratic	Gregory J. Castano	18,286	36.45%
	Republican	C. Richard Fiore	7,131	14.21%
Total votes			50,173

District 31

Republican primary

Candidates

• Franco Di Domenica
• Henry W. Kolakowski

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Henry W. Kolakowski	1,304	86.19%
	Republican	Franco Di Domenica	209	13.81%
Total votes			1,513	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• James P. Dugan, incumbent Senator (District 12)

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James P. Dugan (incumbent)	14,659	100.00%
Total votes			14,659	100.00%

General election

31st Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James P. Dugan (incumbent)	36,921	79.46%
	Republican	Henry W. Kolakowski	9,543	20.54%
Total votes			46,464	100.00%

District 32

Republican primary

Candidates

• John P. Errico

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John P. Errico	1,876	100.00%
Total votes			1,876	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Michael J. Bell
• Joseph W. Tumulty, Jersey City attorney

Declined

• William F. Kelly Jr., incumbent Senator (District 12) since 1958

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph W. Tumulty	16,691	67.09%
	Democratic	Michael J. Bell	8,187	32.91%
Total votes			24,878	100.00%

General election

32nd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph W. Tumulty	35,770	74.72%
	Republican	John P. Errico	10,955	22.88%
	Abolish County Govt.	Robert Habermann	1,146	2.39%
Total votes			47,871	100.00%

District 33

Republican primary

Candidates

• Thomas McSherry

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Thomas McSherry	1,823	100.00%
Total votes			1,823	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Harry J. Leber
• William V. Musto, incumbent Senator (District 12)

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William V. Musto (incumbent)	16,156	66.46%
	Democratic	Harry J. Leber	8,152	33.54%
Total votes			24,308	100.00%

General election

33rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William V. Musto	30,176	78.04%
	Republican	Thomas McSherry	8,492	21.96%
Total votes			38,668	100.00%

District 34

Republican primary

Candidates

• Louise Friedman

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Louise Friedman	5,605	100.00%
Total votes			5,605	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Joseph Hirkala, incumbent Senator (District 14)

Declined

• William J. Bate, incumbent Senator (District 14) (ran for Assembly)

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph Hirkala (incumbent)	5,605	100.00%
Total votes			5,605	100.00%

General election

34th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph Hirkala	33,047	63.88%
	Republican	Louise Friedman	18,682	36.12%
Total votes			51,729	100.00%

District 35

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Dominic Cuccinello
• Michael U. DeVita, former mayor of Paterson (1948–51)
• Joseph A. Lazzara, incumbent Senator (District 14)
• Roy Leon Ward

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph A. Lazzara (incumbent)	4,211	56.39%
	Democratic	Michael U. DeVita	2,643	35.39%
	Democratic	Dominic Cuccinello	358	4.79%
	Democratic	Roy Leon Ward	256	3.43%
Total votes			7,468	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Frank Davenport, Passaic County Sheriff

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank Davenport	3,272	100.00%
Total votes			3,272	100.00%

General election

35th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank Davenport	16,919	50.14%
	Democratic	Joseph A. Lazzara (incumbent)	16,826	49.86%
Total votes			33,745	100.00%

District 36

Republican primary

Candidates

• Harold A. Pareti

Declined

• Harold Hollenbeck

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Anthony Scardino Jr.	6,279	100.00%
Total votes			6,279	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Anthony Scardino, mayor of Lyndhurst

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Anthony Scardino	5,695	100.00%
Total votes			5,695	100.00%

General election

36th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Anthony Scardino	35,953	62.01%
	Republican	Harold A. Pareti	21,332	36.79%
	Socialist Labor	Kenneth Kowalczyk	698	1.20%
Total votes			57,983	100.00%

District 37

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joseph Woodcock, incumbent Senator (District 13)

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Joseph Woodcock (incumbent)	6,572	100.00%
Total votes			6,572	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Matthew Feldman, Bergen County Democratic chairman and former Senator

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Matthew Feldman	9,320	100.00%
Total votes			9,320	100.00%

General election

37th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Matthew Feldman	36,690	58.62%
	Republican	Joseph Woodcock (incumbent)	25,524	40.78%
	Socialist Labor	Armand Milletari	373	0.60%
Total votes			62,587	100.00%

District 38

Republican primary

Candidates

• Frederick E. Wendel, incumbent Senator (District 13)

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frederick Wendel (incumbent)	6,554	100.00%
Total votes			6,554	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John Skevin, former Assemblyman (1966–68)
• Joseph Ventricelli

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Skevin	4,808	81.07%
	Democratic	Joseph Ventricelli	1,123	18.93%
Total votes			5,931	100.00%

General election

38th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John M. Skevin	31,677	57.61%
	Republican	Frederick E. Wendel	23,307	42.39%
Total votes			54,984	100.00%

District 39

Republican primary

Candidates

• Harry Randall Jr.

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Harry Randall Jr.	6,474	100.00%
Total votes			6,474	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Raymond Garramone, mayor of Haworth

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Raymond Garramone	4,937	100.00%
Total votes			4,937	100.00%

General election

39th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Raymond Garramone	31,999	54.29%
	Republican	Harry Randall Jr.	26,942	45.71%
Total votes			58,941	100.00%

District 40

Republican primary

Candidates

• Garrett W. Hagedorn, incumbent Senator (District 13)

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Garrett W. Hagedorn (incumbent)	9,324	100.00%
Total votes			9,324	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Paul Z. Lewis

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Paul Z. Lewis	6,811	100.00%
Total votes			6,811	100.00%

General election

40th Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Garrett W. Hagedorn	32,566	56.19%
	Democratic	Robert A. Pennachio	25,394	43.81%
Total votes			57,960	100.00%

Leadership

Democrats chose Frank J. Dodd as the Senate President and Matthew Feldman as Majority Leader; Republicans named the outgoing Senate President, Alfred Beadleston as Minority Leader.