1992 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

Overview

Background

Following the 1990 United States census, New Jersey undertook decennial redistricting, resulting in the loss of one seat. To account for the reduction in apportionment, the third and sixth districts on the northern Jersey Shore were combined; Bernard J. Dwyer retired rather than run against fellow incumbent Frank Pallone. In addition to Dwyer, three representatives of populous North Jersey districts (Robert Roe, Frank Guarini, and Matt Rinaldo) chose to retire rather than run for re-election in their newly configured seats.

The deadline for candidates to file petitions for the primary election was April 9. Primary elections were held on June 2.

District 1

Incumbent Democrat Rob Andrews won. The district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Rob Andrews, incumbent Representative from Bellmawr since 1990

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Lee Solomon, assemblyman from Haddon Heights

Results

General election

Candidates

• Rob Andrews, incumbent Representative from Bellmawr since 1990 (Democratic)
• Kenneth L. Lowndes (Pro-Life Independent Conservative)
• Nicholas Pastuch (America First Populist)
• James E. Smith (Pro-Life Pro-Family Veteran)
• Lee Solomon, assemblyman from Haddon Heights (Republican)
• Jerry Zeldin (Libertarian)

Results

District 2

Incumbent William J. Hughes won. This district, the largest in South Jersey, included all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties and parts of Burlington and Gloucester counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joseph L. Breeden
• Frank LoBiondo, assemblyman from Vineland

Results

General election

Candidates

• Roger Bacon (Libertarian)
• William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
• Andrea Lippi (Freedom Equality Prosperity)
• Frank LoBiondo, assemblyman from Vineland (Republican)
• Joseph Ponczek (Anti-Tax)

Campaign

Despite Hughes's popularity in the district, LoBiondo waged an aggressive challenge, criticizing Hughes for taking full advantage of Congressional mailing and automobile privileges. LoBiondo, a leading sponsor of legislation to repeal the state's strict ban on "assault-type firearms," received strong support from the National Rifle Association and Coalition of New Jersey Sportsmen.

Endorsements

• Coalition of New Jersey Sportsmen
• National Rifle Association}}

Results

District 3

Incumbent Republican Jim Saxton won. This district, which had previously been numbered as the thirteenth district, included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Frank W. Drake
• Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative from Mount Holly since 1984

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Howard Scott Pearlman
• Timothy E. Ryan

Results

General election

Candidates

• Frank Burke (Basic Reformed Government)
• Martin T. King (Independent)
• William Donald McMahon ("Donald of Moorestown")
• Michael S. Permuko (NJ Conservative)
• Joseph A. Plonski (America First Populist)
• Helen L. Radder (Libertarian)
• James Reilly (Independent)
• Timothy E. Ryan (Democratic)
• Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative from Mount Holly since 1984 (Republican)
• Anthony J. Verderese (Independent)

Results

District 4

Incumbent Republican Chris Smith won. This district, in Central Jersey, consisted of parts of Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Michael DiMarco
• Brian M. Hughes, social worker and son of former governor and Supreme Court chief justice Richard J. Hughes

Results

General election

Candidates

• Benjamin Grindlinger (Libertarian)
• Brian M. Hughes, social worker and son of former governor and Supreme Court chief justice Richard J. Hughes (Democratic)
• Agnes A. James (NJ Conservative)
• Joseph J. Notarangelo (America First Populist)
• Patrick C. Pasculli (Independent)
• Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981 (Republican)

Campaign

Hughes sought to capitalize on Smith's reputation as a national anti-abortion leader.

Results

District 5

Incumbent Marge Roukema won. This district included parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties and all of Warren County.

Republican primary

Candidates

• C. Larry Fischer
• Ira M. Marlowe
• Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981
• Lou Sette

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Frank R. Lucas
• John Scully

Results

General election

Candidates

• Stuart Bacha (America First Populist)
• George Lahood (Equality, Brotherhood, Justice)
• William J. Leonard (Independent)
• Michael V. Pierone (Libertarian)
• Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981 (Republican)

Results

District 6

District 6

Incumbent Democrat Frank Pallone won; fellow incumbent Bernard J. Dwyer declined to run. This district included parts of Middlesex and Monmouth counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Jeffrey R. Gorman, New Brunswick systems analyst
• Barbara Jensen
• Frank Pallone, incumbent Representative from Long Branch since 1988
• Bob Smith, assemblyman and former mayor of Piscataway

Declined

• Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Grace C. Applegate, Occupational Safety and Health Administration official and former assistant New Jersey Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development
• Paul Danielczyk, nominee for this district in 1990
• Joe Kyrillos, state senator from Middletown
• James R. Sheldon

Results

General election

Candidates

• Simone Berg (Socialist Workers)
• Peter Cerrato (Independent for Freedom)
• Charles H. Dickson (Capitalist)
• Joe Kyrillos, state senator from Middletown (Republican)
• Kenneth Matto (America First Populist)
• Frank Pallone, incumbent Representative from Long Branch since 1988 (Democratic)
• George P. Predham (You Gotta Believe)
• Joseph Spalletta (The People's Candidate)
• Bill Stewart (Libertarian)

Endorsements

• The New York Times}}

Results

District 7

Incumbent Matt Rinaldo withdrew from the race after winning renomination, and Republican assemblyman Bob Franks won the open seat. This district included parts of Essex, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Karen Carroll, Bridgewater activist
• Leonard R. Sendelsky, Woodbridge real estate developer

Results

Republican replacement convention

Following Rinaldo's withdrawal in September, Republicans met in a special convention to choose a replacement nominee. Assemblyman Bob Franks defeated Somerset County freeholder Michael Pappas.

Candidates

• Bob Franks, chair of the New Jersey Republican Party and assemblyman from Summit
• Mike Pappas, Somerset County Freeholder

General election

Candidates

• Bill Campbell (No Nonsense Government)
• Kevin Michael Criss (People's Congressional Preference)
• Bob Franks, chair of the New Jersey Republican Party and assemblyman from Summit (Republican)
• Eugene J. Gillespie Jr. (Independent)
• John Kucek (America First Populist)
• Spencer Layman (Libertarian)
• Leonard R. Sendelsky, Woodbridge real estate developer (Democratic)

Withdrew

• Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973 (Republican)

Campaign

Rinaldo withdrew from the race just ahead of the September general election filing deadline.

Endorsements

• The New York Times}}

Results

District 8

Incumbent Robert Roe, the dean of the congressional delegation and a two-time candidate for governor, surprised observers by announcing his retirement. This district included parts of Essex and Passaic counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Roger P. Ham
• Joseph C. Iozia
• Herb Klein, former assemblyman from Clifton
• Claire I. Lagermasini, former aide to Hugh Carey and staffer for Eugene McCarthy's 1968 presidential campaign
• Harry McEnroe, assemblyman from South Orange

Declined

• Richard Codey, state senator from West Orange
• Bill Pascrell, assemblyman and mayor of Paterson
• Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969

Campaign

In the Essex County portion of the district, the campaign was connected to an ongoing feud between county party chair Raymond Durkin and county executive Thomas D'Alessio; McEnroe, a late entry to the race, was allied with Durkin.

Endorsements

• National Organization for Women ;Individuals
• Gloria Steinem}}

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joseph Bubba, state senator from Wayne
• Bob Davis
• Bernard George
• Norman M. Robertson, Passaic County Freeholder and nominee for this district in 1982

Results

General election

Candidates

• Joseph Bubba, state senator from Wayne (Republican)
• Thomas Caslander (Independents for Change)
• Rob Dominianni (Restore Public Trust)
• Gregory E. Dzula (America First Populist)
• Neal A. Gorfinkle (New Jersey Independents)
• Herb Klein, incumbent Representative since 1993 (Democratic)
• Gloria Kolodziej, former mayor of Clifton (Independent for Change)
• Carmine O. Pelossie (Independent People's Network)
• Jason Redrup (Socialist Workers)
• Louis M. Stefanelli (Libertarian)

Campaign

Entering the general election, Bubba was considered the favorite over Klein, who had not held elected office since 1978.

Endorsements

• The New York Times}}

Results

District 9

Incumbent Democrat Bob Torricelli won.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Matt Guice
• Nany Harrigan
• Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Patrick J. Roma, assemblyman from Palisades Park

Results

General election

Candidates

• Joseph D'Alessio (America First Populist)
• Shel Haas (An Independent Voice)
• Daniel M. Karlan (Libertarian)
• Gary Novosielski (New Jersey Independents)
• Patrick J. Roma, assemblyman from Palisades Park (Republican)
• Peter J. Russo, former assemblyman from Lyndhurst and candidate for this district in 1990 (Clean Up Congress)
• Herbert Shaw (Politicians are Crooks)
• Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983 (Democratic)

Campaign

During the campaign, Roma attacked Torricelli for his implication in the House banking scandal, in which he had personally written 27 overdraft checks, as well as his abuse of Congressional mailing privileges.

Results

District 10

Incumbent Democrat Donald M. Payne won. The district included parts of Essex, Hudson, and Union counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Brian Connors
• Willie L. Flood, former member of the Jersey City Council
• Stanley J. Moskal
• Donald M. Payne, incumbent Representative from Newark since 1989

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Alfred D. Palermo

Results

General election

Candidates

• Roberto Caraballo (Libertarian)
• William T. Leonard (Socialist Workers)
• Alfred D. Palermo (Republican)
• Donald M. Payne, incumbent Representative from Newark since 1989 (Democratic)

Results

District 11

Incumbent Republican Dean Gallo won. This district consisted of all of Morris County and parts of Essex, Passaic, Somerset, and Sussex counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Dean Gallo, incumbent Representative since 1985

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Mary Frueholz
• Ona Spiridellis

Results

General election

Candidates

• Barry J. Fitzpatrick (Time for Change)
• Dean Gallo, incumbent Representative since 1985 (Republican)
• Richard E. Hrazanek (America First Populist)
• David C. Karlen (Independent)
• Richard S. Roth (Libertarian)
• Howard Safier (Independent)
• Ona Spiridellis (Democratic)

Results

District 12

Incumbent Republican Dick Zimmer won. This district, based in Central Jersey, included all of Hunterdon County and parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Somerset counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Dick Zimmer, incumbent Representative since 1991

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Frank G. Abate

Results

General election

Candidates

• Frank G. Abate (Democratic)
• Edward F. Eggert (Independent)
• Carl J. Mayer, consumer advocate (Independent)
• Compton C. Pakenham (America First Populist)
• Carl Peters (Libertarian)
• Dick Zimmer, incumbent Representative since 1991 (Republican)

Results

District 13

Incumbent Democrat Frank J. Guarini retired; Bob Menendez won the open seat. This district, previously numbered as the fourteenth district, included parts of Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, and Union counties and was redrawn specifically to provide representation for the area's large Hispanic population. Menendez became the first Hispanic elected to represent New Jersey in Congress.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Robert P. Haney Jr., Jersey City lawyer and candidate for this district in 1988
• Bob Menendez, state senator and mayor of Union City

Declined

• Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979

Campaign

Even before Guarini announced his retirement, Menendez was seen as the natural heir to this district. Nevertheless, Robert Haney, who had challenged Guarini in 1988, ran a competitive campaign with support from numerous Jersey City politicians and reformist critics of the declining Hudson County political machine.

Endorsements

• Marilyn Roman, acting mayor of Jersey City
• Jaime Vazquez, member of the Jersey City Council ;Party officials
• Raymond Durkin, chair of the Essex County Democratic Party
• Allen Manzo, chair of the Jersey City Democratic Party}}{{Endorsements box|title=Bob Menendez|list=;State legislators
• Raymond Lesniak, state senator from Elizabeth and chair of the New Jersey Democratic Party ;Local officials
• Sharpe James, mayor of Newark
• Robert C. Janiszewski, Hudson County Executive}}

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Fred J. Theemling Jr., former Hudson County assistant prosecutor and candidate for this district in 1988 and 1990

Results

General election

Candidates

• Joseph D. Bonacci (Stop Tax Increases)
• Jane Harris (Socialist Workers)
• Len Flynn (Libertarian)
• Bob Menendez, state senator and mayor of Union City (Democratic)
• John E. Rummel (Communist)
• Donald K. Stoveken (America First Populist)
• Fred J. Theemling Jr., former Hudson County assistant prosecutor and candidate for this district in 1988 and 1990 (Republican)

Campaign

Menendez, seeking to become the first Hispanic to represent New Jersey in Congress, waged an aggressive and anxious campaign for the general election. Despite the district's firm Democratic lean, he pointed to the fact that a disproportionate number of the Hispanic residents were not registered to vote and began aggressively reaching out to blue-collar and middle-class voters. He claimed to campaign eighteen hours per day to reach voters in areas where his name was less recognized.

Although Menendez was well-connected within Hudson County and Cuban American political circles, he rejected the label of "insider" and embraced the Bill Clinton presidential campaign, hoping to deliver his Cuban constituents, who were usually Republican, to Clinton in November. Both candidates endorsed a bill by Bob Torricelli to strengthen the United States embargo on Cuba.

Theemling, who had received around 31 percent of the vote in his prior campaigns, ran an active campaign against Menendez, arguing that voters would hold the New Jersey legislature responsible for the state's economic decline and anti-incumbency would redound to his benefit. He favored urban enterprise zones, corporate tax credits for job creation and penalties for layoffs, and President Bush's proposal for school choice. Menendez also proposed tax incentives for new business in areas of high unemployment and improved federal job training programs.

By the end of the election, Menendez estimated that he would spend $200,000 on his campaign.

Endorsements

• The New York Times}}

Results

References

References

1. "General Election Data - 1924 to 2022".
2. Anderson, Donnald K.. (May 31, 1993). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 3, 1992".
3. (1992-10-27). "Opinion {{!}} For Congress From New Jersey". The New York Times.
4. King, Wayne. (1992-04-06). "Congressional Redistricting to Change Face of Delegation". The New York Times.
5. "Official Results: Candidates for the Office of U.S. House of Representatives -- Primary Election, June 2, 1992".
6. "Candidates for the Office of House of Representatives: General Election, November 3, 1992".
7. King, Wayne. (1992-11-04). "THE 1992 ELECTIONS: NEW JERSEY -- U.S. HOUSE RACES; All 10 Incumbents Win Re-election, and Democrats Keep Majority in Delegation". The New York Times.
8. (2010-04-11). "The Bob Franks Story".
9. Gray, Jerry. (1992-10-17). "'Safe' House Seat Becomes Mystery". The New York Times.
10. Wildstein, David. (2021-02-09). "Harry McEnroe, 8-term Essex assemblyman, dies at 90".
11. Nieves, Evelyn. (1992-10-29). "A New House District Could Make History". The New York Times.
12. Gray, Jerry. (1992-05-28). "In Hudson, 2 Democrats In Spotlight". The New York Times.