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1992 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey
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The 1992 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 3, 1992, to determine who would represent the people of New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives. This election coincided with national elections for U.S. House and U.S. Senate. New Jersey had thirteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1990 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms.
Due to legislative redistricting, New Jersey lost one seat in the House. Four incumbent representatives, three Democrats and one Republican, chose to retire; each was succeeded by a member of their own party.
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Overview
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Background
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1985–92

1993–2002
New Jersey congressional districts before (left) and after (right) the 1990 census decennial redistricting
The elections followed the 1991 state elections, in which Republicans gained veto-proof majorities in both chambers of the New Jersey legislature as the result of backlash against Governor Jim Florio's legislative priorities, particularly a large tax increase. Several Republican legislators, including both newly elected and veteran lawmakers, sought seats in Congress in the 1992 election.[2] Due to their large veto-proof majorities, the Republican Party controlled the redistricting process for congressional elections.
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.[2]
The deadline for candidates to file petitions for the primary election was April 9. Primary elections were held on June 2.[3]
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District 1
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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
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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.[6] 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.[6]
Endorsements
Frank LoBiondo (R)
- Organizations
- Coalition of New Jersey Sportsmen
- National Rifle Association
Results
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District 3
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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
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District 4
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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[3]
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[3] (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.[6]
Results
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District 5
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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
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District 6
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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[3]
- 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[3]
- Paul Danielczyk, nominee for this district in 1990[3]
- Joe Kyrillos, state senator from Middletown[3]
- 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[3] (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
Frank Pallone (D)
- Newspaper editorial boards
Results
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District 7
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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
Rinaldo withdrew after the primary and was replaced by Bob Franks.
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.[7]
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[7] (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.[8]
Endorsements
Leonard Sendelsky (D)
- Newspaper editorial boards
Results
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District 8
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Incumbent Robert Roe, the dean of the congressional delegation and a two-time candidate for governor, surprised observers by announcing his retirement.[3] 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[9]
- Harry McEnroe, assemblyman from South Orange[9]
Declined
- Richard Codey, state senator from West Orange[3]
- Bill Pascrell, assemblyman and mayor of Paterson[3]
- Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969[3]
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.[9]
Endorsements
Claire Lagermasini
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[6] (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.[6]
Endorsements
Herb Klein (D)
- Newspaper editorial boards
Results
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District 9
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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.[6]
Results
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District 10
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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
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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
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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
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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.[2] Menendez became the first Hispanic elected to represent New Jersey in Congress.[10]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Robert P. Haney Jr., Jersey City lawyer and candidate for this district in 1988[11]
- Bob Menendez, state senator and mayor of Union City[11]
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.[10] 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.[11]
Endorsements
Robert P. Haney Jr.
- Local officials
- 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
Bob Menendez
- State legislators
- Raymond Lesniak, state senator from Elizabeth and chair of the New Jersey Democratic Party
- Local officials
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Fred J. Theemling Jr., former Hudson County assistant prosecutor and candidate for this district in 1988 and 1990[10]
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[10] (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.[10] He claimed to campaign eighteen hours per day to reach voters in areas where his name was less recognized.[10]
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.[10]
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.[10] Menendez also proposed tax incentives for new business in areas of high unemployment and improved federal job training programs.[10]
By the end of the election, Menendez estimated that he would spend $200,000 on his campaign.[10]
Endorsements
Bob Menendez (D)
- Newspaper editorial boards
Results
References
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