1996 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

Overview

District 1

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Rob Andrews, incumbent Representative from Haddon Heights since 1990

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• William Henry Harris
• Sophia A. Nelson

Results

General election

Candidates

• Rob Andrews, incumbent Representative from Haddon Heights since 1990 (Democratic)
• Patricia Bily (Independent)
• Michael Edmondson (Independent)
• Mel Suplee, university contract specialist and candidate for mayor of Bellmawr in 1994 and state senate in 1995 (Republican)
• Norman E. Wahner (Independent)

Campaign

Suplee accused Andrews of alienating his fellow Democratic caucus members in Congress, endangering his ability to form coalitions to pass legislation, and called for term limits, a balanced budget, and reduced immigration.

Results

District 2

Republican primary

Candidates

• Frank LoBiondo, incumbent Representative since 1995

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Ruth Katz, public health program director and candidate for this district in 1994

Results

General election

Candidates

• Judith Lee Azaren (Independent)
• David Rodger Headrick (Independent)
• Ruth Katz, public health program director and candidate for this district in 1994 (Democratic)
• Frank LoBiondo, incumbent Representative since 1995 (Republican)
• Andrea Lippi (Independent)

Campaign

Katz, a moderate who supported welfare reform requiring recipients to work and maintaining current funding levels for Head Start and higher education loans, was expected to give the one-term incumbent LoBiondo a serious challenge. She criticized LoBiondo and the Republican Congress for cutting back on environmental regulations.

Results

District 3

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative from Mount Holly since 1984

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John Leonardi, Cherry Hill businessman

Results

General election

Candidates

• Eugene B. Ashworth (Independent)
• Ken Feduniewicz (Independent)
• Agnes A. James (Independent)
• John Leonardi, Cherry Hill businessman (Democratic)
• Janice Presser (Independent)
• Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative from Mount Holly since 1984 (Republican)

Campaign

Leonardi focused his campaign on preserving Medicare by reducing benefits for the wealthy and balancing the federal budget. He proposed lowering the deficit by repealing tax cuts and cutting defense spending. Saxton was regarded as a formidable incumbent for his moderate stances on gun control and environmental protection, including preventing his party from weakening of the Clean Water Act, as well as his strong fundraising.

Results

District 4

Republican primary

Candidates

• Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Kevin John Meara, former member of the Hamilton Township Council

Results

General election

Candidates

• Robert Figueroa (Independent)
• Arnold Kokans (Independent)
• Kevin John Meara, former member of the Hamilton Township Council (Democratic)
• Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981 (Republican)
• J. Morgan Strong (Independent)

Candidate

Meara matched the incumbent on a number of issues, including opposing abortion, favoring work requirements for welfare, and favoring stronger immigration restrictions. He opposed the North American Free Trade Agreement and supporter the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Results

District 5

Republican primary

Candidates

• Roger Bacon, Libertarian nominee for this district in 1994
• George Matreyek
• Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bill Auer, Allendale advertising businessman and nominee for this district in 1994

Results

General election

Candidates

• Bill Auer, Allendale advertising businessman and nominee for this district in 1994 (Democratic)
• Barry Childers (Independent)
• Helen Hamilton, Natural Law Party nominee for this district in 1994 (Independent)
• Dan Karlan (Independent)
• E. Gregory Kresge (Independent)
• Lorraine L. La Neve, Republican candidate for this district in 1994 (Independent)
• Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981 (Republican)

Campaign

Running his second consecutive campaign, Bill Auer supported universal healthcare, reductions in defense spending, and permitting gay servicemembers in the military.

Results

District 6

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Frank Pallone, incumbent Representative from Long Branch since 1988

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Steve Corodemus, assemblyman from Atlantic Highlands
• Karen Anne Zaletel

Results

General election

Candidates

• Steve Corodemus, assemblyman from Atlantic Highlands (Republican)
• Susan H. Normandin (Independent)
• Frank Pallone, incumbent Representative from Long Branch since 1988 (Democratic)
• Keith Quarles (Independent)
• Richard Sorrentino (Independent)
• Stepfanie C. Trice (Independent)

Campaign

Pallone, considered a relative moderate, had opposed the NAFTA and GATT free trade initiatives but was one of the few Democrats outside of the South to support the tax cut provisions of the Contract with America. Corodemus criticized him for failing to write or sponsor enough legislation during his four terms in office.

Results

District 7

Republican primary

Candidates

• Bob Franks, incumbent Representative from Summit since 1993

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Larry Lerner, Union Township attorney and civil rights activist

Results

General election

Candidates

• Dorothy De Laura (Independent)

• Bob Franks, incumbent Representative from Summit since 1993 (Republican)

• Nicholas W. Gentile (Independent)

• Larry Lerner, Union Township attorney and civil rights activist (Democratic)

• Robert G. Robertson (Independent)

Campaign

Lerner, a strong fundraiser, supported stringent environmental protections and jobs training programs for laid-off employees. He ran on a long record of activism, including suing to end tax exemptions for whites-only organizations in 1974 and lobbying for the release of wrongly imprisoned Jews in the former Soviet Union.

Results

District 8

Incumbent Republican Bill Martini ran for a second term in office but was defeated by Paterson mayor Bill Pascrell. This district included parts of Essex and Passaic counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Bill Martini, incumbent Representative from Clifton since 1995

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bill Pascrell, mayor of Paterson and assemblyman

Declined

• Herb Klein, former Representative for this district (199395)

Results

General election

Candidates

• Jeffrey Levine (Independent)
• Bill Martini, incumbent Representative from Clifton since 1995 (Republican)
• Bill Pascrell, mayor of Paterson and assemblyman (Democratic)

Campaign

The Democratic Party considered this their best opportunity to gain a seat in New Jersey in 1996; both parties agreed that it was a close contest. The candidates predicted they would spend more than $1 million each, making this the most expensive race in the state.

Pascrell focused on social issues, calling for federally financed anti-crime programs. He also sought to tie Martini to House speaker Newt Gingrich and the Contract with America, much of which Martini had supported during his term in office. Pascrell criticized the Republican Congress for proposing to slow the increase in federal Medicare spending by $270 billion over the next seven years.

Martini focused his campaign on fiscal issues, calling for spending cuts and a reduction in the size of the federal government. He sought to distance himself from Republican congressional leadership, stressing his record on environmental protection and support for an increase in the federal minimum wage. Given his efforts to prevent development of the 17,500-acre Sterling Forest in New York, he won the endorsement of the Sierra Club.

Both candidates supported a balanced-budget amendment and an overall reduction in the capital gains tax rate.

Endorsements

• Sierra Club}}

Results

District 9

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Lynne Athay Dow, Teaneck psychologist
• Robert Gordon, healthcare management consultant and former mayor of Fair Lawn
• Steve Rothman, Bergen County Surrogate and former mayor of Englewood

Declined

• Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative since 1983 (ran for U.S. Senate)

Endorsements

• Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative for this district ;Political parties
• Bergen County Democratic Party
• Hudson County Democratic Party}}

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Kathleen Donovan, Bergen County Clerk, former assemblywoman from Hackensack, and former chair of the New Jersey Republican Party and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Results

General election

Candidates

• Kathleen Donovan, Bergen County Clerk, former assemblywoman from Hackensack, and former chair of the New Jersey Republican Party and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Republican)
• Leon Myerson (Independent)
• Arthur B. Rosen (Independent)
• Steve Rothman, Bergen County Surrogate Court judge and former mayor of Englewood (Democratic)

Campaign

Both candidates ran on socially liberal platforms, supporting abortion rights, gun control, and federal funding for environmental protection. Donovan portrayed herself an independently minded moderate and voiced her opposition to presidential nominee Bob Dole's proposal for a 15 percent tax cut. Rothman called for a tax deduction on college tuition.

Despite the Democratic lean of the district and the strength of Bill Clinton and Bob Torricelli atop the ticket, both parties devoted significant resources to the district. Donovan, who was considered the more recognizable candidate, was the strongest Republican nominee in many years. She won the endorsement of Local 346, a laborers union.

Endorsements

• Laborers Union Local 346}}

Results

District 10

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Cecil J. Banks, Orange attorney
• Brian Connors
• Donald M. Payne, incumbent Representative from Newark since 1989

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Vanessa Williams, Newark attorney

Results

General election

Candidates

• Toni M. Jackson (Independent)
• Donald M. Payne, incumbent Representative from Newark since 1989 (Democratic)
• Harley Tyler (Independent)
• Vanessa Williams, Newark attorney (Republican)

Campaign

Williams deviated from the Republican platform by supporting affirmative action and the right to an abortion. Otherwise, she supported work requirements for welfare, a balanced budget amendment, and school vouchers. Despite the district's overwhelming Democratic lean, she stated, "I fully expect and intend to beat Congressman Payne."

Results

District 11

Republican primary

Candidates

• Rodney Frelinghuysen, incumbent Representative since 1995

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Chris Evangel, Morristown municipal bond analyst
• John Kucek, Holocaust revisionist and candidate for this district in 1994

Results

General election

Candidates

• Ed de Mott (Independent)
• Chris Evangel, Morristown municipal bond analyst (Democratic)
• Austin S. Lett (Independent)
• Rodney Frelinghuysen, incumbent Representative since 1995 (Republican)
• Victoria S. Spruiell (Independent)

Campaign

Evangel ran on a liberal platform, proposing increased employment training grants, incentives for teenage mothers to stay in school, tax breaks for companies that train laid-off workers, and increased funding for environmental programs. Frelinghuysen, a first-term incumbent, had already secured a powerful position on the House Appropriations Committee and supported funding for the mass transit, Superfund cleanups, and housing for the elderly and disabled.

Results

District 12

Incumbent Republican Dick Zimmer did not run for re-election, choosing instead to run for the open U.S. Senate seat vacated by Bill Bradley. Somerset County freeholder Mike Pappas defeated Lambertville mayor David Del Vecchio in the general election to succeed Zimmer.

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

Republican primary

Candidates

• John O. Bennett, state senator from Little Silver and senate majority leader
• Luis de Agustin
• Leonard Lance, assemblyman from Clinton Township
• Mike Pappas, Somerset County Freeholder and former mayor of Franklin

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• David Del Vecchio, mayor of Lambertville and chair of the Hunterdon County Democratic Party
• Rush Holt Jr., assistant director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and son of U.S. Senator Rush Holt
• Carl J. Mayer, consumer advocate and member of the Princeton Township Committee

Results

General election

Candidates

• Philip G. Cenicola (Independent)
• David Del Vecchio, mayor of Lambertville and chair of the Hunterdon County Democratic Party (Democratic)
• Virginia A. Flynn (Independent)
• Joseph M. Mercurio (Independent)
• Mike Pappas, Somerset County Freeholder and former mayor of Franklin (Republican)

Campaign

Del Vecchio, a relatively nonpartisan candidate, ran on his support of the Brady Bill, won the endorsement of the Sierra Club, and opposed prayer in schools. Pappas supported welfare reform and tax reform.

In a reversal of typical party positions, Del Vecchio supported the death penalty while Pappas opposed it. However, the candidates were most sharply divided on abortion rights, which Del Vecchio supported and Pappas strongly condemned. Pappas defended himself against accusations that he was a single-issue candidate or radical, arguing, "The radical positions of the Democrats are what is out of the mainstream."

Results

District 13

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Christopher Curioli
• Bob Menendez, incumbent Representative from Union City since 1993

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Dick Hester
• Carlos E. Munoz, nominee for state senate in 1982 and 1991 and freeholder in 1990
• Kenneth Suria

Results

General election

Candidates

• Mike Buoncristiano (Independent)
• William P. Estrada (Independent)
• Bob Menendez, incumbent Representative from Union City since 1993 (Democratic)
• Carlos E. Munoz, Republican nominee for state senate in 1982 and 1991 and freeholder in 1990 (Republican)
• Rupert Ravens (Independent)
• Herbert H. Shaw, perennial candidate (Independent)

Campaign

Although Munoz was well-known from his prior campaigns for office, he had never won a race. The typically Democratic district was expected to favor Menendez, who had strong cross-party support from Hispanic voters in the district.

Results

References

References

1. "General Election Data - 1924 to 2022".
2. Carle, Robin H.. (July 29, 1997). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 5, 1996".
3. (July 2, 1996). "Official List: Primary Election Returns for the Office of U.S. House of Representatives for Election Held June 4, 1996".
4. TIME. (1996-11-04). "A GUIDE TO THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES: NEW JERSEY".
5. (January 31, 1997). "Official List: Candidate Returns for House of Representatives for Election Held November 5, 1996".
6. Wildstein, David. (2024-02-23). "Roger Bacon is back again, taking on Kean in GOP primary".
7. (1996-11-03). "Guide to New Jersey Elections for the Senate and 13 Seats in the House". The New York Times.
8. Preston, Jennifer. (1996-05-19). "ON POLITICS;Who Needs June 4? These Candidates Do". The New York Times.