1996 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

The 1996 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 5, 1996, to determine who would represent the people of New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives. This election coincided with national elections for President of the United States, 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.

1996 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

← 1994 November 5, 1996 (1996-11-05) 1998 →
All 13 New Jersey seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Republican Democratic Last election 8 5 Seats won 7 6 Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 1,398,888 1,351,774 Percentage 49.6% 47.9% Swing 4.87pp 4.00pp
District results Republican   50–60%   60–70%   70–80% Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%

This is the last time Republicans won a majority of seats from New Jersey, and Republicans have only won the popular vote once since in the state, in 2010.

Overview

1996 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey[1]
Party		Votes	Percentage	Candidates	Seats	+/–
	Republican	1,398,900	49.55%	13	7	1
	Democratic	1,351,762	47.88%	13	6	1
	Independents	72,497	2.57%	40	0
Totals		2,823,159	100.00%	66	13	—

District 1

See also: New Jersey's 1st congressional district

1996 New Jersey's 1st congressional district election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

Nominee Rob Andrews Mel Suplee Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 160,415 44,286 Percentage 76.1% 21.0%

U.S. Representative before election Rob Andrews Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Rob Andrews Democratic

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Rob Andrews, incumbent Representative from Haddon Heights since 1990

Results

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Rob Andrews (incumbent)	22,414	100.00%
Total votes			22,414	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• William Henry Harris
• Sophia A. Nelson

Results

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Sophia A. Nelson	7,967	77.70%
	Republican	William Henry Harris	2,286	22.30%
Total votes			10,253	100.00%

After the primary election, Nelson resigned from the race for personal reasons and was replaced as Republican nominee by Mel Suplee.^[3]

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^[3] (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.^[3]

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Rob Andrews (incumbent)	160,415	76.12%	3.85
	Republican	Mel Suplee	44,286	21.02%	6.71
	Independent	Michael Edmondson	2,668	1.27%	N/A
	Independent	Patricia A. Bily	1,873	0.89%	N/A
	Independent	Norman E. Wahner	1,493	0.71%	N/A
Total votes			210,735	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 2

See also: New Jersey's 2nd congressional district

1994 New Jersey's 2nd congressional district election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

Nominee Frank LoBiondo Ruth Katz Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 133,130 83,912 Percentage 60.3% 38.0%

U.S. Representative before election Frank LoBiondo Republican Elected U.S. Representative Frank LoBiondo Republican

Incumbent Republican Frank A. LoBiondo 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.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Frank LoBiondo, incumbent Representative since 1995

Results

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank LoBiondo (incumbent)	22,385	100.00%
Total votes			22,385	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Ruth Katz, public health program director and candidate for this district in 1994^[3]

Results

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ruth Katz	12,200	100.00%
Total votes			12,200	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Judith Lee Azaren (Independent)
• David Rodger Headrick (Independent)
• Ruth Katz, public health program director and candidate for this district in 1994^[3] (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.^[3]

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Frank LoBiondo (incumbent)	133,130	60.31%	4.31
	Democratic	Ruth Katz	83,912	38.01%	2.63
	Independent	David Rodger Headrick	1,429	0.65%	N/A
	Independent	Judith Lee Azaren	1,174	0.53%	N/A
	Independent	Andrea Lippi	1,084	0.49%	N/A
Total votes			220,739	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 3

See also: New Jersey's 3rd congressional district

1996 New Jersey's 3rd congressional district election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

Nominee Jim Saxton John Leonardi Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 157,503 81,590 Percentage 64.2% 33.3%

U.S. Representative before election Jim Saxton Republican Elected U.S. Representative Jim Saxton Republican

Incumbent Republican Jim Saxton won. This district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative from Mount Holly since 1984

Results

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Saxton (incumbent)	18,949	100.00%
Total votes			18,949	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John Leonardi, Cherry Hill businessman^[3]

Results

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Leonardi	13,189	100.00%
Total votes			13,189	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Eugene B. Ashworth (Independent)
• Ken Feduniewicz (Independent)
• Agnes A. James (Independent)
• John Leonardi, Cherry Hill businessman^[3] (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.^[3]

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Saxton (incumbent)	157,503	64.21%	2.19
	Democratic	John Leonardi	81,590	33.26%	2.03
	Independent	Janice Presser	3,037	1.24%	N/A
	Independent	Agnes A. James	1,355	0.55%	N/A
	Independent	Eugene B. Ashworth	1,134	0.46%	N/A
	Independent	Ken Feduniewicz	659	0.27%
Total votes			245,278	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 4

See also: New Jersey's 4th congressional district

1994 New Jersey's 4th congressional district election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

Nominee Chris Smith Kevin Meara Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 146,404 77,565 Percentage 63.6% 33.7%

U.S. Representative before election Chris Smith Republican Elected U.S. Representative Chris Smith Republican

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

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Smith (incumbent)	17,080	100.00%
Total votes			17,080	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Kevin John Meara, former member of the Hamilton Township Council^[3]

Results

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kevin John Meara	14,217	100.00%
Total votes			14,217	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Robert Figueroa (Independent)
• Arnold Kokans (Independent)
• Kevin John Meara, former member of the Hamilton Township Council^[3] (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.^[3]

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Chris Smith (incumbent)	146,404	63.62%	4.27
	Democratic	Kevin John Meara	77,565	33.71%	3.09
	Independent	Robert Figueroa	3,000	1.30%	N/A
	Independent	J. Morgan Strong	2,034	0.88%	N/A
	Independent	Arnold Kokans	1,111	0.48%	0.03
Total votes			230,114	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 5

See also: New Jersey's 5th congressional district

1996 New Jersey's 5th congressional district election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

Nominee Marge Roukema Bill Auer Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 181,323 62,956 Percentage 71.3% 24.8%

U.S. Representative before election Marge Roukema Republican Elected U.S. Representative Marge Roukema Republican

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

Republican primary

Candidates

• Roger Bacon, Libertarian nominee for this district in 1994^[5]
• George Matreyek
• Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981

Results

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Marge Roukema (incumbent)	20,682	74.99%
	Republican	George Matreyek	5,076	18.41%
	Republican	Roger Bacon	1,820	6.60%
Total votes			27,578	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bill Auer, Allendale advertising businessman and nominee for this district in 1994^[3]

Results

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Auer	8,227	100.00%
Total votes			8,227	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Bill Auer, Allendale advertising businessman and nominee for this district in 1994^[3] (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.^[3]

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Marge Roukema (incumbent)	181,323	71.29%	2.96
	Democratic	Bill Auer	62,956	24.75%	2.65
	Independent	Lorraine L. La Neve	4,093	1.61%	N/A
	Independent	Dan Karlan	2,118	0.83%	N/A
	Independent	Helen Hamilton	1,678	0.66%	0.32
	Independent	Barry Childers	1,266	0.50%	N/A
	Independent	E. Gregory Kresge	899	0.35%	N/A
Total votes			254,333	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 6

See also: New Jersey's 6th congressional district

1996 New Jersey's 6th congressional district election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

Nominee Frank Pallone Steve Corodemus Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 124,635 73,402 Percentage 61.3% 36.1%

U.S. Representative before election Frank Pallone Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Frank Pallone Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Frank Pallone won. This district included parts of Middlesex and Monmouth counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Frank Pallone, incumbent Representative from Long Branch since 1988

Results

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank Pallone (incumbent)	24,475	100.00%
Total votes			24,475

Republican primary

Candidates

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

Results

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steve Corodemus	7,106	89.63%
	Republican	Karen Anne Zaletel	822	10.37%
Total votes			7,928	100.00%

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.^[3]

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Frank Pallone Jr. (incumbent)	124,635	61.25%	0.89
	Republican	Steve Corodemus	73,402	36.07%	1.46
	Independent	Keith Quarles	2,044	1.00%	N/A
	Independent	Richard Sorrentino	1,509	0.74%	N/A
	Independent	Susan H. Normandin	1,247	0.61%	N/A
	Independent	Stefanie C. Trice	641	0.32%	N/A
Total votes			203,478	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 7

See also: New Jersey's 7th congressional district

1996 New Jersey's 7th congressional district election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

Nominee Bob Franks Larry Lerner Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 128,817 97,283 Percentage 55.4% 41.8%

U.S. Representative before election Bob Franks Republican Elected U.S. Representative Bob Franks Republican

Incumbent Bob Franks won. This district included parts of Essex, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Bob Franks, incumbent Representative from Summit since 1993

Results

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Franks (incumbent)	14,193	100.00%
Total votes			14,193	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Larry Lerner, Union Township attorney and civil rights activist^[3]

Results

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Larry Lerner	12,760	100.00%
Total votes			12,760	100.00%

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^[3] (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.^[3]

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Bob Franks (incumbent)	128,817	55.39%	4.19
	Democratic	Larry Lerner	97,283	41.83%	3.10
	Independent	Dorothy De Laura	4,076	1.75%	N/A
	Independent	Nicholas W. Gentile	1,693	0.73%	N/A
	Independent	Robert G. Robertson	696	0.30%	N/A
Total votes			232,565	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 8

See also: New Jersey's 8th congressional district

1996 New Jersey's 8th congressional district election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

Nominee Bill Pascrell Bill Martini Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 98,853 92,604 Percentage 51.2% 48.0%

U.S. Representative before election Bill Martini Republican Elected U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell Democratic

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

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bill Martini (incumbent)	6,871	100.00%
Total votes			6,871	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bill Pascrell, mayor of Paterson and assemblyman

Declined

• Herb Klein, former Representative for this district (1993–95)

Results

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Pascrell	14,135	100.00%
Total votes			14,135	100.00%

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.^[6]

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.^[6]

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.^[6] Given his efforts to prevent development of the 17,500-acre Sterling Forest in New York, he won the endorsement of the Sierra Club.^[3]

Both candidates supported a balanced-budget amendment and an overall reduction in the capital gains tax rate.^[6]

Endorsements

Bill Martini

Organizations

• Sierra Club

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Bill Pascrell Jr.	98,853	51.20%	2.63
	Republican	Bill Martini (incumbent)	92,604	47.96%	1.91
	Independent	Jeffrey Levine	1,621	0.84%	N/A
Total votes			193,078	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 9

See also: New Jersey's 9th congressional district

1996 New Jersey's 9th congressional district election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1996 →

Nominee Steve Rothman Kathleen Donovan Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 117,646 89,005 Percentage 56.2% 42.5%

U.S. Representative before election Bob Torricelli Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Steve Rothman Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Bob Torricelli did not run for re-election, choosing instead to run for the open U.S. Senate seat vacated by Bill Bradley. In the race to succeed him, Steve Rothman defeated Kathleen Donovan.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Lynne Athay Dow, Teaneck psychologist^[7]
• Robert Gordon, healthcare management consultant and former mayor of Fair Lawn^[7]
• Steve Rothman, Bergen County Surrogate and former mayor of Englewood

Declined

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

Endorsements

Steve Rothman

U.S. representatives

• Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative for this district

Political parties

• Bergen County Democratic Party
• Hudson County Democratic Party

Results

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Steve Rothman	17,016	79.47%
	Democratic	Robert Gordon	3,715	17.35%
	Democratic	Lynne Athay Dow	680	3.18%
Total votes			21,411	100.00%

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

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kathleen Donovan	8,152	100.00%
Total votes			8,152	100.00%

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.^[6]

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.^[6] She won the endorsement of Local 346, a laborers union.^[3]

Endorsements

Kathleen Donovan (R)

Labor unions

• Laborers Union Local 346

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Steve Rothman	117,646	56.19%	6.34
	Republican	Kathleen Donovan	89,005	42.51%	6.46
	Independent	Arthur B. Rosen	2,730	1.30%	N/A
	Independent	Leon Myerson	1,549	0.74%	N/A
Total votes			209,381	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 10

See also: New Jersey's 10th congressional district

1996 New Jersey's 10th congressional district election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

Nominee Donald M. Payne Vanessa Williams Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 127,126 22,086 Percentage 84.2% 14.6%

U.S. Representative before election Donald M. Payne Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne Democratic

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

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

Results

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Donald M. Payne (incumbent)	35,002	82.39%
	Democratic	Brian Connors	4,421	10.41%
	Democratic	Cecil J. Banks	3,062	7.21%
Total votes			42,485	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Vanessa Williams, Newark attorney^[3]

Results

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Vanessa Williams	2,483	100.00%
Total votes			2,483	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Toni M. Jackson (Independent)
• Donald M. Payne, incumbent Representative from Newark since 1989 (Democratic)
• Harley Tyler (Independent)
• Vanessa Williams, Newark attorney^[3] (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."^[3]

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Donald M. Payne (incumbent)	127,126	84.16%	9.29
	Republican	Vanessa Williams	22,086	14.62%	7.26
	Independent	Harley Tyler	1,192	0.79%	N/A
	Independent	Toni M. Jackson	656	0.43%	N/A
Total votes			151,060	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 11

See also: New Jersey's 11th congressional district

1996 New Jersey's 11th congressional district election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

Nominee Rodney Frelinghuysen Chris Evangel Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 169,091 78,742 Percentage 66.3% 30.9%

U.S. Representative before election Rodney Frelinghuysen Republican Elected U.S. Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen Republican

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

Republican primary

Candidates

• Rodney Frelinghuysen, incumbent Representative since 1995

Results

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Rodney Frelinghuysen (incumbent)	27,440	100.00%
Total votes			27,440	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Chris Evangel, Morristown municipal bond analyst^[3]
• John Kucek, Holocaust revisionist and candidate for this district in 1994

Results

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Chris Evangel	8,421	92.56%
	Democratic	John Kucek	677	7.44%
Total votes			9,098	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Ed de Mott (Independent)
• Chris Evangel, Morristown municipal bond analyst^[3] (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.^[3]

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Rodney Frelinghuysen (incumbent)	169,091	66.27%	4.93
	Democratic	Chris Evangel	78,742	30.86%	2.90
	Independent	Ed de Mott	2,870	1.12%	N/A
	Independent	Austin S. Lett	2,618	1.03%	N/A
	Independent	Victoria S. Spruiell	1,837	0.72%	N/A
Total votes			255,158	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 12

See also: New Jersey's 12th congressional district

1996 New Jersey's 12th congressional district election

← 1996 November 5, 1996 1998 →

Nominee Mike Pappas David Del Vecchio Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 135,811 125,594 Percentage 51.2% 47.3%

U.S. Representative before election Dick Zimmer Republican Elected U.S. Representative Mike Pappas Republican

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

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Pappas	11,069	38.07%
	Republican	John O. Bennett	9,894	34.03%
	Republican	Leonard Lance	7,630	26.24%
	Republican	Luis de Agustin	481	1.65%
Total votes			29,074	100.00%

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

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	David Del Vecchio	9,157	45.11%
	Democratic	Carl J. Mayer	6,373	31.39%
	Democratic	Rush Holt Jr.	4,771	23.50%
Total votes			20,301	100.00%

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.^[3]

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.^[3] 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."^[3]

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Pappas	135,811	51.20%	17.14
	Democratic	David Del Vecchio	125,594	47.35%	16.97
	Independent	Virginia A. Flynn	3,955	1.49%	N/A
	Independent	Joseph M. Mercurio	2,650	1.00%	N/A
	Independent	Philip G. Cenicola	1,211	0.46%	N/A
Total votes			265,266	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 13

See also: New Jersey's 13th congressional district

1996 New Jersey's 13th congressional district election

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

Nominee Bob Menendez Carlos E. Munoz Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 115,457 25,426 Percentage 78.8% 17.4%

U.S. Representative before election Bob Menendez Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Bob Menendez Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Bob Menendez won. This district included parts of Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, and Union counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

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

Results

1996 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bob Menendez (incumbent)	34,685	92.82%
	Democratic	Christopher Curioli	2,685	7.18%
Total votes			37,370	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Dick Hester
• Carlos E. Munoz, nominee for state senate in 1982 and 1991 and freeholder in 1990^[3]
• Kenneth Suria

Results

1996 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Carlos E. Munoz	2,482	58.66%
	Republican	Kenneth C. Suria	1,284	30.35%
	Republican	Dick Hester	465	10.99%
Total votes			4,231	100.00%

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^[3] (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.^[3]

Results

1996 U.S. House election^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Bob Menendez (incumbent)	115,457	78.83%	7.93
	Republican	Carlos E. Munoz	25,426	17.36%	7.85
	Independent	Herbert Shaw	2,136	1.46%	0.08
	Independent	Mike Buoncristiano	2,094	1.43%	N/A
	Independent	William P. Estrada	720	0.49%	N/A
	Independent	Rupert Ravens	637	0.43%	N/A
Total votes			146,470	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}