2008 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

Overview

District 1

This district contains all or parts of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Camille Andrews, wife of incumbent U.S. Representative Rob Andrews "Wife bows out, so Rep. Andrews can run", UPI, September 4, 2008.
• John Caramanna
• David G. Evans
• Mahdi Ibn-Ziyad

Declined

• Rob Andrews, incumbent Representative from Haddon Heights since 1990 (ran for U.S. Senate)

Incumbent Democrat Rob Andrews, in a surprise move on April 2, 2008, announced that he would challenge incumbent United States Senator Frank Lautenberg in the June primary. His House seat, which was reliably Democratic (CPVI D+14), thus became an open seat. However, the filing deadline for primary candidates was April 7, leaving only a few days for candidates to declare. As a result, Andrews's wife Camille, who had the organizational support of all three county parties within the district, was the lone candidate to join the race following his withdrawal.

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Dale Glading, founder of Saints Prison Ministry
• Fernando Powers

Results

General election

Candidates

• Rob Andrews, incumbent Representative from Haddon Heights since 1990 (Democratic)
• Margaret M. Chapman (Back to Basics)
• Dale Glading, founder of Saints Prison Ministry (Republican)
• Alvin Lindsay Jr. (Lindsay for Congress)
• Matthew Thieke (Green)
• Everitt M. Williams III (Think Independently)

Withdrew

• Camille Andrews, wife of incumbent U.S. Representative Rob Andrews (Democratic) (withdrew September 3)

After his defeat in the U.S. Senate primary, Rob Andrews decided to run for re-election to his House seat. His wife Camille, who had won the Democratic nomination in the June primary, withdrew on September 3, and Rob Andrews announced on September 4 that he would take her place as the Democratic candidate. He maintained that his wife had not been merely a placeholder candidate and said that he had only decided to run one week before his announcement. According to Andrews, his change of heart was a result of personal reflection.

Predictions

Results

District 2

This district lies in the southern part of the state, containing all or portions of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May: Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Frank LoBiondo, incumbent Representative from Millville since 1995
• Donna M. Ward

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Dave Kurkowski, Cape May councilman

Results

General election

Candidates

• Peter F. Boyce (Constitution)
• Jason M. Grover (Green)
• Dave Kurkowski, Cape May councilman (Democratic)
• Frank LoBiondo, incumbent Representative from Millville since 1995 (Republican)
• Costantino Rozzo (Socialist)
• Gary Stein (Rock the Boat) Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Predictions

Results

District 3

Republican primary

Candidates

• John P. Kelly, Ocean County Freeholder
• Justin Michael Murphy, deputy mayor of Tabernacle
• Chris Myers, mayor of Medford and vice president at Lockheed Martin

Withdrew

• Virginia E. Haines, member of the Republican National Committee, former executive director of the New Jersey Lottery, and former assemblywoman from Toms River
• Maurice Hill, member of the Toms River Township Council
• Joe Vicari, Ocean County Freeholder

Declined

• Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative from Mount Holly since 1984

Endorsements

• Ocean County Republican Party}}{{Endorsements box|title=Justin Michael Murphy|list=;Individuals
• Bret Schundler, former mayor of Jersey City and nominee for governor in 2001}}{{Endorsements box|title=Chris Myers|list=;County party organizations
• Burlington County Republican Party
• Camden County Republican Party}}

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John Adler, state senator from Cherry Hill

Results

General election

Candidates

• John Adler, state senator from Cherry Hill (Democratic)
• Chris Myers, mayor of Medford (Republican)

Campaign

Incumbent Republican Jim Saxton announced that he would retire at the end of his term. A mid-September internal poll by McLaughlin & Associates showed Myers defeating Adler by a margin of 33% to 29%, with a 37% plurality of voters undecided. The poll attributed Myers' lead to a general dissatisfaction among voters towards Adler's negative ads and negative mailers from various political committees supporting the Democrat. It also indicated that Adler's low approval ratings were partially due to the perception that he is a "career politician" and the fact that he is an Ivy League-educated lawyer. Adler's association with unpopular Democratic governor Jon Corzine also hurt him, while Myers was helped from his endorsement by incumbent Rep. Jim Saxton, who held a 53 percent favorable rating. However, later polls indicated that the race was too close to call.

Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Predictions

Results

District 4

This district lies in the central part of the state, including all or portions of Burlington County, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Joshua Zeitz, author and historian

Results

General election

Candidates

• Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981 (Republican)
• Steven Welzer (Green)
• Joshua Zeitz, author and historian (Democratic) Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Predictions

Results

District 5

This district contains most of the Northern New Jersey Skylands Region of Sussex and Warren counties and stretches along the New York border into Northern Passaic and Bergen Counties, including the townships of Paramus and Ridgewood.

Republican incumbent Scott Garrett had been elected by safe margins in the past but in 2006 he only won by 10 points against Paul Aronsohn, the smallest margin of his career. Garrett was the only incumbent in the state thought to possibly be at risk.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Scott Garrett, incumbent Representative from Wantage since 2003

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Carmen Abate, Glen Rock lawyer and candidate for this seat in 2006
• Roger Bacon, perennial candidate
• Dennis Shulman, psychologist, public speaker, and rabbi

Results

General election

Candidates

• Ed Fanning (Green)
• Scott Garrett, incumbent Representative from Wantage since 2003 (Republican)
• Dennis Shulman, psychologist, public speaker, and rabbi (Democratic) Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Predictions

Results

District 6

Incumbent Frank Pallone defeated Republican challenger Robert McLeod, a municipal judge. Between 2003 and 2013, this district covered parts of Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset and Union counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Frank Pallone, incumbent Representative from Long Branch since 1988

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Peter Cerrato
• James P. Hogan
• Robert E. McLeod, municipal judge

Results

General election

Candidates

• Robert McLeod, municipal judge (Republican)
• Frank Pallone, incumbent Representative from Long Branch since 1988 (Democratic)
• Herb Tarbous, candidate for this seat in 2006 (Regular Independent) Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Predictions

Results

District 7

The incumbent, Republican Representative Mike Ferguson, announced on November 19, 2007, that he would not seek re-election, citing family obligations.

Republican primary

Candidates

• A.D. Amar, Seton Hall University professor
• Kate Whitman, former ice hockey player and daughter of former Governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman
• P. Kelly Hatfield, former Summit council president
• Leonard Lance, State Senator from Clinton and former Senate Minority Leader (Republican)
• Martin Marks, mayor of Scotch Plains
• Thomas Roughneen, former Union and Essex assistant county prosecutor
• Darren Young, Libertarian nominee for this seat in 2006

Withdrew

• Michael P. Hsing, Bridgewater councilman (withdrew following loss at Somerset County convention; ran in general election as independent)
• Chris Venis, former deputy mayor of Hillsborough

Declined

• Jon Bramnick, Assemblyman from Westfield
• Mike Ferguson, incumbent Representative from Union since 2001

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Linda Stender, Assemblywoman from Fanwood and nominee for this seat in 2006

Results

General election

Candidates

• Thomas D. Abrams, perennial candidate (Prosperity Not War)
• Dean Greco, Clinton schoolteacher (All-Day Breakfast Party)
• Michael P. Hsing, Bridgewater councilman (Hsing for Congress)
• Leonard Lance, State Senator and former Senate Minority Leader (Republican)
• Linda Stender, Assemblywoman from Fanwood and nominee for this seat in 2006 (Democratic)

Campaign

The district was considered to lean Republican, but the 2008 election was expected to be highly competitive, considering the closeness of the previous election.

Lance and Stender debated each other twice during the campaign. In September, they met in Scotch Plains for a debate hosted at the Jewish Community Campus of Central New Jersey. The candidates met in October in Edison for a second debate, which was televised on News 12 New Jersey.

Both major-party candidates campaigned with prominent politicians of their party in the months before the election. Lance campaigned with then U.S. President George W. Bush and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Stender campaigned with former U.S. president Bill Clinton and U.S. House of Representatives majority leader Steny Hoyer.

Predictions

District 8

This district lies in the north-east part of the state, including portions of Essex and Passaic counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bill Pascrell, incumbent Representative from Paterson since 1997

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Roland Straten, engineer and U.S. Navy veteran

Results

General election

Candidates

• Derek DeMarco (Libertarian)
• Bill Pascrell, incumbent Representative from Paterson since 1997 (Democratic)
• Roland Straten, engineer and U.S. Navy veteran (Republican) Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Predictions

Results

District 9

This district lies in the north-east part of the state, including all or portions of Bergen and Hudson and Passaic counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Steve Rothman, incumbent Representative from Fair Lawn since 1997

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Vincent Micco, nominee for this seat in 2006

Results

General election

Candidates

• Michael Perrone Jr. (Independent/Progressive)
• Vincent Micco, nominee for this seat in 2006 (Republican)
• Steve Rothman, incumbent Representative from Fair Lawn since 1997 (Democratic)

Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Predictions

Results

District 10

This district lies in the north-east part of the state, including all or portions of Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Republicans again failed to nominate a candidate to oppose Payne, but the Socialist Workers Party nominated Michael Taber, an editor.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Donald M. Payne, incumbent Representative from Newark since 1989

Results

General election

Candidates

• Donald M. Payne, incumbent Representative from Newark since 1989 (Democratic)
• Michael Taber, editor (Socialist Workers) Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Predictions

Results

District 11

This district lies in the north-central part of the state, including all of Morris County and portions of Essex, Passaic, Somerset and Sussex counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Kate Erber
• Rodney Frelinghuysen, incumbent Representative from Harding since 1995

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Ellen Greenberg
• Garry Hager
• Tom Wyka, information technology manager and nominee for this seat in 2006

Results

General election

Candidates

• Rodney Frelinghuysen, incumbent Representative from Harding since 1995 (Republican)
• Chandler Tedholm (For the People)
• Tom Wyka, information technology manager and nominee for this seat in 2006 (Democratic) Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Predictions

Results

District 12

This district lies in the central part of the state, including portions of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Somerset counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Rush Holt Jr., incumbent Representative from Pennington since 1999

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Alan Bateman, deputy mayor of Holmdel

Results

General election

Candidates

• Alan Bateman, deputy mayor of Holmdel (Republican)
• David Corsi Jr. (Common Sense Ideas)
• Rush Holt Jr., incumbent Representative from Pennington since 1999 (Democratic) Campaign Contributions from OpenSecrets.org

Predictions

Results

District 13

This district lies in the north-east part of the state, including portions of Essex, Hudson, Middlesex and Union counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Albio Sires, incumbent Representative from West New York since 2006

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joseph Turula, former Pompton Lakes councilman and lawyer

Results

General election

Candidates

• Julio A. Fernandez (No Slogan Provided)
• Albio Sires, incumbent Representative from West New York since 2006 (Democratic)
• Joseph Turula, former Pompton Lakes councilman and lawyer (Republican)
• Louis Vernotico (Eliminate the Primary) Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Predictions

Results

References

References

1. "General Election Data - 1924 to 2022".
2. [http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2008/2008Stat.htm#21 2008 Election Statistics]
3. David W. Chen, [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/02/nyregion/02cnd-senate.html?hp Lautenberg to face Primary Challenge] ''The New York Times'', April 2, 2008
4. (July 11, 2008). "Official List: Candidate Returns for House of Representatives for June 2008 Primary Election".
5. (6 November 2006). "2008 Competitive House Race Chart". [[The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.
6. (2 November 2006). "2008 House Ratings". The Rothenberg Political Report.
7. (6 November 2008). "2008 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball.
8. (7 November 2008). "Battle for the House of Representatives". Real Clear Politics.
9. "Race Ratings Chart: House". Congressional Quarterly Inc.
10. (December 29, 2008). "Official List: Candidate Returns for House of Representatives for November 2008 General Election".
11. Wildstein, David. (2023-12-20). "Justin Michael Murphy planning to enter GOP U.S. Senate race in N.J.".
12. (2007-12-07). "Haines bows out in Ocean County".
13. [http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20071109_N_J_s_Congressman_Saxton_to_retire.html philly.com]
14. "Poll: Myers, Adler in close race for 3rd District seat (phillyBurbs.com) {{!}} Burlington County Times".
15. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080918072115/http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/myers-leads-adler-in-internal-2008-09-15.html Campaign. The Hill]
16. link. (2008-02-29 , ''[[Home News Tribune]]'', November 19, 2007. Accessed November 19, 2007. "Rep. Mike Ferguson, R-Warren Township, said today he won’t seek reelection next year to a fifth term... The next elections are in November 2008; Stender is again a Democratic candidate for the 7th district seat Ferguson currently occupies.")