The 1981 New Jersey Senate elections were held on November 3. The New Jersey legislature reapportioned its state legislative districts in advance of the 1981 election. The new districts resulted in many senators running for re-election in newly re-numbered districts. The election coincided with a tightly contested gubernatorial election between Thomas Kean and James Florio. Republicans gained five seats, narrowing the Democratic majority to 22–18. Democrats flipped districts 10, 14, and 15, while Republicans flipped districts 9, 12, 13, 21, 26, 34, 38, and 39.

A Federal Bureau of Investigation investigation resulted in the retirements of Senators Joseph A. Maressa and Angelo Errichetti, both of whom accepted bribes from the FBI under the guise of Arab oil sheikhs. Errichetti was convicted; Maressa was not prosecuted but opted to retire.[2]

Contents
Incumbents not running • Summary of results
By District: 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 • 39 • 40

Incumbents not running for re-election

Democratic

Republican

1974–82
1982–1992
New Jersey Legislature before (left) and after (right) the 1981 redistricting

Summary of results by State Senate district

District Incumbent Party Elected Senator Party
1st Legislative District James Cafiero Rep James R. Hurley Rep
2nd Legislative District Steven P. Perskie Dem Steven P. Perskie Dem
3rd Legislative District Raymond Zane Dem Raymond Zane Dem
4th Legislative District Joseph A. Maressa Dem Daniel Dalton Dem
5th Legislative District Vacant[a] Walter Rand Dem
6th Legislative District Lee Laskin Rep Lee Laskin Rep
7th Legislative District Charles B. Yates Dem Herman T. Costello Dem
8th Legislative District Barry T. Parker Rep H. James Saxton Rep
9th Legislative District John F. Russo[b] Dem Leonard T. Connors Rep
10th Legislative District Brian T. Kennedy[c] Rep John F. Russo Dem
11th Legislative District S. Thomas Gagliano[d] Rep Brian T. Kennedy Rep
12th Legislative District Eugene Bedell[e] Dem S. Thomas Gagliano Rep
13th Legislative District Joseph P. Merlino[f] Dem John P. Gallagher Rep
14th Legislative District Walter E. Foran[g] Rep Francis J. McManimon Dem
15th Legislative District Wayne Dumont[h] Rep Gerald R. Stockman Dem
16th Legislative District John H. Ewing Rep John H. Ewing Rep
17th Legislative District William J. Hamilton Dem John A. Lynch Jr. Dem
18th Legislative District Vacant[i] James Bornheimer Dem
19th Legislative District Laurence Weiss Dem Laurence Weiss Dem
20th Legislative District Anthony E. Russo[j] Dem John Gregorio Dem
21st Legislative District John Gregorio[k] Dem C. Louis Bassano Rep
22nd Legislative District Donald DiFrancesco Rep Donald DiFrancesco Rep
23rd Legislative District John H. Dorsey[l] Rep Walter E. Foran Rep
24th Legislative District James P. Vreeland[m] Rep Wayne Dumont Rep
25th Legislative District James Wallwork Rep John H. Dorsey Rep
26th Legislative District Frank J. Dodd Dem James P. Vreeland Rep
27th Legislative District Carmen Orechio[n] Dem Richard Codey Dem
28th Legislative District John P. Caufield Dem John P. Caufield Dem
29th Legislative District Wynona Lipman Dem Wynona Lipman Dem
30th Legislative District Frank E. Rodgers[o] Dem Carmen Orechio Dem
31st Legislative District Wally Sheil Dem Edward T. O'Connor Jr. Dem
32nd Legislative District James A. Galdieri Dem Frank E. Rodgers Dem
33rd Legislative District William Musto Dem William Musto Dem
34th Legislative District Joseph Hirkala[p] Dem Joseph Bubba Rep
35th Legislative District Frank X. Graves Jr. Dem Frank X. Graves Jr. Dem
36th Legislative District Vacant[q] Joseph Hirkala Dem
37th Legislative District Matthew Feldman Dem Matthew Feldman Dem
38th Legislative District John Skevin Dem John Paolella Rep
39th Legislative District Frank Herbert Dem Gerald Cardinale Rep
40th Legislative District Garrett W. Hagedorn Rep Garrett Hagedorn Rep
  1. ↑ The seat was left vacant by the expulsion of Angelo Errichetti following his conviction for federal bribery charges.
  2. ↑ Redistricted to 10th district.
  3. ↑ Redistricted to 11th district.
  4. ↑ Redistricted to 12th district.
  5. ↑ Redistrict to 13th district.
  6. ↑ Redistricted to 15th district.
  7. ↑ Redistricted to 23rd district.
  8. ↑ Redistricted to 24th district.
  9. ↑ The seat had been vacant since Bernard J. Dwyer resigned to take his seat in the United States House of Representatives.
  10. ↑ Redistricted to 21st district.
  11. ↑ Redistricted to 20th district.
  12. ↑ Redistricted to 25th district.
  13. ↑ Redistricted to 26th district.
  14. ↑ Redistricted to 30th district.
  15. ↑ Redistricted to 32nd district.
  16. ↑ Redistricted to 36th district.
  17. ↑ This seat had been vacant since the resignation of Anthony Scardino to join the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission.

Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  1. District 30, 1.7%
  2. District 33, 3.2%
  3. District 2, 3.4%
  4. District 21, 3.8% gain
  5. District 18, 4.2%
  6. District 38, 4.5% gain
  7. District 20, 4.6%
  8. District 34, 5.4% gain
  9. District 1, 7.6%

District 1

The first district consisted of all of Cape May County and the Cumberland municipalities of Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Upper Deerfield, Deerfield, and Maurice River. Prior to redistricting, it had contained all of Cumberland County.

Incumbent Senator James Cafiero retired.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James R. Hurley 11,809 100.00%
Total votes 11,809 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edward H. Salmon 6,961 100.00%
Total votes 6,961 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James R. Hurley 32,443 53.8%
Democratic Edward H. Salmon 27,862 46.2%
Total votes 60,305 100.0%

District 2

The second district consisted of Atlantic County except for the municipalities of Folsom, Buena, and Buena Vista, which were removed in redistricting. Redistricting also removed Bass River and Washington in Burlington County and Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor in Ocean County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Richard "Reds" Lavin, labor organizer and state government liaison for the Atlantic City Department of Parks and Public Property (The Alternative)[6]
  • Steven Perskie, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Endorsed By Atlantic County Democratic Convention)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Steven P. Perskie (inc.) 5,400 83.79%
Democratic Reds Lavin 1,045 16.21%
Total votes 6,445 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph McGahn 8,941 100.00%
Total votes 8,941 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Steven P. Perskie (incumbent) 29,843 51.7
Republican Joseph L. McGahn 27,890 48.3
Total votes 57,733 100.0

District 3

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Raymond Zane, incumbent Senator (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raymond Zane (inc.) 13,337 100.00%
Total votes 13,337 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • D. Paul McMahon Jr., owner of a Woodbury electrical contracting firm[7]

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican D. Paul McMahon Jr. 8,015 100.00%
Total votes 8,015 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • D. Paul McMahon Jr., owner of a Woodbury electrical contracting firm (Republican)[7]
  • Raymond Zane, incumbent Senator (Democratic)

Results

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raymond J. Zane (incumbent) 37,613 63.2
Republican D. Paul McMahon, Jr. 21,903 36.8
Total votes 59,516 100.0

District 4

Democratic primary

Candidates

This primary was a rematch of the 1979 Assembly election, in which Dalton and running mate Dennis L. Riley, who ran with the support of Congressman Jim Florio, unseated Gewertz and Francis J. Gorman, who had the support of Camden mayor and State Senator Angelo Errichetti.[8] Each candidate had the support of their respective county party; Dalton in Camden and Gewertz in Gloucester.[9]

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Daniel J. Dalton 10,448 65.63%
Democratic Kenneth A. Gewertz 5,471 34.37%
Total votes 15,919 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Connie B. Roggio, Gloucester Township councilwoman (Regular Republican Organization)[9]
  • Frank B. Smith (Organization of Regular Republicans)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frank B. Smith 2,766 60.12%
Republican Connie Roggio 1,835 39.88%
Total votes 4,601 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Daniel J. Dalton 32,386 63.3
Republican Frank B. Smith 18,755 36.7
Total votes 51,141 100.0

District 5

Democratic primary

Candidates

Unlike the neighboring fourth district, both Assemblymen Rand and Schuck were considered allies of Errichetti and shared a legislative office. Their friendly relations were maintained throughout a "kid-gloves" campaign, despite the close margin.[9]

Ultimately, Florio struck an alliance with Rand which propelled him over the top as Florio ran up large numbers in the gubernatorial race.[9]

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Walter Rand 9,595 54.27%
Democratic Ernest F. Schuck 8,085 45.73%
Total votes 17,680 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • John H. Lyons Jr. (Regular Republican Organization of Camden County)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John H. Lyons Jr. 2,338 100.00%
Total votes 2,338 100.00%

General election

Candidates

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Walter Rand 32,866 72.0
Republican John H. Lyons, Jr. 12,800 28.0
Total votes 45,666 100.0

District 6

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lee B. Laskin (incumbent) 7,777 100.00%
Total votes 7,777 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • James Greenberg (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Greenberg 11,663 100.00%
Total votes 11,663 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • James Greenberg (Democratic)
  • Lee Laskin, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lee B. Laskin (incumbent) 36,279 56.7
Democratic James Greenberg 27,735 43.3
Total votes 64,014 100.0

District 7

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Herman T. Costello 11,723 100.00%
Total votes 11,723 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Michael J. Conda (Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael J. Conda 6,807 100.00%
Total votes 6,807 100.00%

General election

Candidates

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Herman T. Costello 31,172 57.1
Republican Michael J. Conda 23,391 42.9
Total votes 54,563 100.0

District 8

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican H. James Saxton 10,384 100.00%
Total votes 10,384 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Raymond J. Storck (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raymond J. Storck 7,328 100.00%
Total votes 7,328 100.00%

General election

Candidates

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican H. James Saxton 33,132 65.7
Democratic Raymond J. Storck 17,314 34.3
Total votes 50,446 100.0

District 9

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Leonard T. Connors 13,697 100.00%
Total votes 13,697 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Wesley K. Bell, former mayor of Stafford Township and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1978 (Official Regular Democrat Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wesley K. Bell 6,822 100.00%
Total votes 6,822 100.00%

General election

Candidates

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Leonard T. Connors, Jr. 40,656 64.4
Democratic Wesley K. Bell 22,441 35.6
Total votes 63,097 100.0

District 10

All of the new tenth district had previously been contained within the boundaries of the ninth district in Ocean County. It consisted of Lakewood, Brick, and Toms River, and the shore towns of Lavallette, Mantoloking, Bay Head, Seaside Park, Seaside Heights, Ocean Gate, Point Pleasant Beach, and Point Pleasant.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John F. Russo (incumbent) 7,941 100.00%
Total votes 7,941 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Hazel Gluck 11,728 100.00%
Total votes 11,728 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John F. Russo (incumbent) 38,166 58.6
Republican Hazel S. Gluck 26,933 41.4
Total votes 65,099 100.0

District 11

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Leonard T. Connors 13,697 100.00%
Total votes 13,697 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • George Callas (Regular Democratic Organization of Monmouth County)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George Callas 6,506 100.00%
Total votes 6,506 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • George Callas (Democratic)
  • Stan Johnson (Citizens)
  • Brian T. Kennedy, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brian T. Kennedy (incumbent) 32,063 57.8
Democratic George Callas 22,807 41.1
Citizens Stan Johnson 574 1.0
Total votes 55,444 100.0

District 12

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican S. Thomas Gagliano (incumbent) 8,456 100.00%
Total votes 8,456 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Roger J. Kane (Regular Democratic Organization of Monmouth County)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Roger J. Kane 7,755 100.00%
Total votes 7,755 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican S. Thomas Gagliano (incumbent) 33,521 59.1
Democratic Roger J. Kane 23,169 40.9
Total votes 56,690 100.0

District 13

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Eugene J. Bedell, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Regular Democratic Organization of Monmouth County)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eugene J. Bedell (incumbent) 8,143 100.00%
Total votes 8,143 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John P. Gallagher 5,930 100.00%
Total votes 5,930 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John P. Gallagher 27,988 51.6
Democratic Eugene J. Bedell (incumbent) 26,268 48.4
Total votes 54,256 100.0

District 14

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Francis J. McManimon 9,180 100.00%
Total votes 9,180 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Thomas Colitsas

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thomas Colitsas 4,986 100.00%
Total votes 4,986 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Francis J. McManimon 31,742 57.7
Republican Thomas Colitsas 23,296 42.3
Total votes 55,038 100.0

District 15

Incumbent Senator Joseph Merlino, who had been redistricted from the 13th district, opted to run for Governor of New Jersey.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Sollami had the support of county party chair and power broker Richard J. Coffee.[9]

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gerald Stockman 10,709 54.53%
Democratic Paul J. Sollami 8,831 45.47%
Total votes 19,640 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Carmen Armenti 5,394 100.00%
Total votes 5,394 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gerald R. Stockman 30,243 56.4
Republican Carmen J. Armenti 23,410 43.6
Total votes 53,653 100.0

District 16

Republican primary

Candidates

  • John H. Ewing, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Somerset County Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John H. Ewing (incumbent) 14,485 100.00%
Total votes 14,485 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • John F. Guerrera (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John F. Guerrera 4,326 100.00%
Total votes 4,326 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • John H. Ewing, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
  • John F. Guerrera (Regular Democratic Organization)
Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John H. Ewing (incumbent) 38,026 65.5
Democratic John F. Guerrera 20,068 34.5
Total votes 58,094 100.0

District 17

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John A. Lynch 9,578 100.00%
Total votes 9,578 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Donald J. Douglas (Middlesex County Republican Organization, Inc.)
  • John Giammarco (Middlesex County Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Donald J. Douglas 2,210 66.93%
Republican John Giammarco 1,092 33.07%
Total votes 3,302 100.00%

General election

Candidates

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John A. Lynch 25,761 60.6
Republican Donald J. Douglas 15,280 35.9
Citizens Paul Lennon 1,484 3.5
Total votes 42,525 100.0

District 18

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Bornheimer 8,620 53.96%
Democratic Samuel V. Convery Jr. 7,354 46.04%
Total votes 15,974 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Joseph M. Cooperstein (Middlesex County Republican Organization, Inc.)
  • Peter Garibaldi, former Assemblyman from Monroe Township (Middlesex County Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Peter Garibaldi 4,371 74.00%
Republican Joseph M. Cooperstein 1,536 26.00%
Total votes 5,907 100.00%

General election

Candidates

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Bornheimer 31,383 52.1
Republican Peter P. Garibaldi 28,853 47.9
Total votes 60,236 100.0

District 19

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Laurence S. Weiss (incumbent) 10,616 100.00%
Total votes 10,616 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Edmund S. Kaboski (Middlesex County Republican Organization, Inc.)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edmund S. Kaboski 1,750 100.00%
Total votes 1,750 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Edmund S. Kaboski (Republican)
  • Laurence S. Weiss, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Democratic)
Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Laurence S. Weiss (incumbent) 31,446 60.4
Republican Edmund S. Kaboski 20,582 39.6
Total votes 52,028 100.0

District 20

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • John T. Gregorio, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Linden (Regular Democratic Organization of Union County)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John T. Gregorio (incumbent) 13,122 100.00%
Total votes 13,122 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • John Fenick (Regular Organization Republican of Union County)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Fenick 3,519 100.00%
Total votes 3,519 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John T. Gregorio (incumbent) 25,340 52.3%
Republican John Fenick 23,087 47.7%
Total votes 48,427 100.0

District 21

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anthony E. Russo (incumbent) 9,516 100.00%
Total votes 9,516 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • C. Louis Bassano, Assemblyman from Union Township (Regular Organization Republican of Union County)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican C. Louis Bassano 10,693 100.00%
Total votes 10,693 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican C. Louis Bassano 36,957 51.9
Democratic Anthony E. Russo (incumbent) 34,252 48.1
Total votes 71,209 100.0

District 22

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Anthony J. Crincoli (Regular Republican Party)
  • Donald DiFrancesco, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Regular Organization Republican of Union County)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Donald DiFrancesco (incumbent) 13,752 77.46%
Republican Anthony J. Crincoli 4,002 22.54%
Total votes 17,754 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Frank Fiorito (Democratic Party—Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank Fiorito 6,997 100.00%
Total votes 6,997 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Donald DiFrancesco (incumbent) 46,330 67.9
Democratic Frank Fiorito 21,876 32.1
Total votes 68,206 100.0

District 23

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Walter Foran, incumbent Senator since 1977 (Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Walter Foran (incumbent) 11,291 100.00%
Total votes 11,291 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Samuel J. Gugliemini (Regular Democratic Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Samuel J. Gugliemini 4,868 100.00%
Total votes 4,868 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Walter Foran, incumbent Senator since 1977 (Republican)
  • Samuel J. Gugliemini (Democratic)
Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Walter E. Foran (incumbent) 37,494 75.1
Democratic Samuel J. Gugliemini 12,431 24.9
Total votes 49,925 100.0

District 24

Republican primary

Candidates

The campaign between Albanese and Dumont was possibly the most bitter in the state. Dumont had supported Albanese in his short-lived campaign for governor, only for Albanese to withdraw from that race and challenge Dumont.[9]

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wayne Dumont (incumbent) 7,588 59.98%
Republican Donald J. Albanese 5,062 40.02%
Total votes 12,650 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Edward Gaffney (Regular Democratic Party Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank Fiorito 6,997 100.00%
Total votes 6,997 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Wayne Dumont, incumbent Senator since 1968[a] (Republican)
  • Edward Gaffney (Democratic)
Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wayne Dumont, Jr. 37,467 77.4
Democratic Edward Gaffney 10,953 22.6
Total votes 48,420 100.0

District 25

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John H. Dorsey (incumbent) 12,675 100.00%
Total votes 12,675 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Horace Chamberlain (Democrat)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Horace Chamberlain 4,737 100.00%
Total votes 4,737 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Horace Chamberlain (Democratic)
  • John H. Dorsey, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John H. Dorsey 36,433 68.0
Democratic Horace Chamberlain 17,137 32.0
Total votes 53,570 100.0

District 26

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James P. Vreeland (incumbent) 12,829 100.00%
Total votes 12,829 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Benjamin Steltzer (Regular Democrat)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Benjamin Steltzer 5,016 100.00%
Total votes 5,016 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Benjamin Steltzer (Democratic)
  • James P. Vreeland, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Republican)
Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James P. Vreeland 38,141 69.9
Democratic Benjamin Steltzer 16,414 30.1
Total votes 54,555 100.0

District 27

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • James J. Brown ("Think" Democratic)
  • Richard Codey, Assemblyman from Orange (Democratic Party Organization)
  • Gayle Brody Rosen

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Codey 12,263 54.76%
Democratic Gayle Brody Rosen 7,347 32.80%
Democratic James J. Brown 2,786 12.44%
Total votes 22,396 100.00%

Republican primary

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard E. Koehler (write-in) 22 100.00%
Total votes 22 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard J. Codey 30,403 73.9
Republican Richard E. Koehler 10,737 26.1
Total votes 41,140 100.0

District 28

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Democratic Party—Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John P. Caufield (incumbent) 7,437 100.00%
Total votes 7,437 100.00%

Republican primary

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Herta B. Tully (write-in) 70 100.00%
Total votes 70 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Democratic)
  • Herta B. Tully (Republican)
Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John P. Caufield 20,786 75.0
Republican Herta B. Tully 6,913 25.0
Total votes 27,699 100.0

District 29

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator since 1972 (Democratic Party—Organization)

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wynona Lipman (incumbent) 11,479 100.00%
Total votes 11,479 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Louis J. Smith (Essex Republican Party Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Louis J. Smith 514 100.00%
Total votes 514 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator since 1972 (Democratic)
  • Louis J. Smith (Republican)
Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wynona M. Lipman 23,598 88.3
Republican Louis J. Smith 3,125 11.7
Total votes 26,723 100.0

District 30

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carmen Orechio (incumbent) 9,000 100.00%
Total votes 9,000 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • John I. Crecco (Essex Republican Party Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John I. Crecco 9,920 100.00%
Total votes 9,920 100.00%

General election

Candidates

  • John I. Crecco (Republican)
  • Arthur Kinoy (Citizens)
  • Carmen Orechio, incumbent Senator since 1974 and mayor of Nutley (Democratic)
Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carmen A. Orechio 30,990 49.4
Republican John I. Crecco 29,930 47.7
Citizens Arthur Kinoy 1,765 2.8
Total votes 62,685 100.0

District 31

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edward T. O'Connor Jr. 16,020 52.08%
Democratic Wally Sheil (incumbent) 13,021 42.33%
Democratic James J. Richardson 1,718 5.59%
Total votes 30,759 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Jean C. Lane (Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jean C. Lane 1,505 100.00%
Total votes 1,505 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edward T. O'Connor, Jr. 37,863 75.4
Republican Jean C. Lane 12,348 24.6
Total votes 50,211 100.0

District 32

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1981 Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank E. Rodgers (incumbent) 15,813 68.51%
Democratic Michael J. Marino 7,268 31.49%
Total votes 23,081 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Joseph F. Ward (Regular Republican Organization)

Results

1981 Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph F. Ward 2,543 100.00%
Total votes 2,543 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results
1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank E. Rodgers 34,150 63.4
Republican Joseph F. Ward 18,551 34.4
Politicians Are Crooks Herbert H. Shaw 1,171 2.2
Total votes 53,872 100.0

District 33

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William V. Musto 24,012 62.0
Republican Ralph A. Montanez 14,707 38.0
Total votes 38,719 100.0

District 34

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph Bubba 31,044 52.7
Democratic William J. Bate 27,843 47.3
Total votes 58,887 100.0

District 35

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank X. Graves Jr. 28,439 74.6
Republican Frank E. Gorman 9,693 25.4
Total votes 38,132 100.0

District 36

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph Hirkala 30,422 55.4
Republican Philip R. Gervato 23,049 42.0
Bergen Home Rule Edna M. Perrotta 1,395 2.5
Total votes 54,866 100.0

District 37

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew Feldman 39,299 61.7
Republican Barbara L. deMare 24,416 38.3
Total votes 63,715 100.0

District 38

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John B. Paolella 30,670 51.0
Democratic John M. Skevin 27,968 46.5
Citizens For Progress Bernard J. Focarino 1,473 2.5
Total votes 60,111 100.0

District 39

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gerald Cardinale 38,929 58.2
Democratic Francis X. Herbert 27,948 41.8
Total votes 66,877 100.0

District 40

1981 general election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Garrett W. Hagedorn 42,014 66.8
Democratic Mitchell Kahn 20,835 33.2
Total votes 62,849 100.0

Notes

  1. 1 2 Senator Dumont previously served in the Senate from 1952 to 1966 but gave up his seat for one term in order to run for Governor in 1965.

References

  1. ↑ "General Election Data - 1924 to 2022" (PDF). NJ.gov.
  2. 1 2 Tinney, Kathleen (November 1, 2012). "Joseph A. Maressa, 89, former state Senator". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sullivan, Joseph F. (June 7, 1981). "A NEW LOOK FOR THE LEGISLATURE". The New York Times. p. NJ1.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 "Candidates for the Offices of State Senate and General Assembly" (PDF). Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 "Candidates for the Offices of State Senate and General Assembly" (PDF). Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  6. ↑ Prendergast, Frank J. (May 13, 1981). "Lavin Criticizes Perskie". Press of Atlantic City. p. 40. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Micko, Lillian (October 27, 1981). "Money becomes main issue in 3rd district race". Courier-Post. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  8. ↑ Staff. "County Voters Shun Primary - Heavily", Asbury Park Press, June 6, 1979. Accessed September 15, 2016. "Elsewhere in the state, candidates running on a ticket fielded by Florio won the Democratic nominations in two Camden County Assembly districts over an opposing ticket backed by Errichetti.... Four-term Assemblymen Kenneth Gewertz and Francis Gorman were upset by Florio's team of Daniel Dalton and Dennis Riley in the fourth district, which takes in parts of Gloucester and Burlington counties as well as part of Camden."
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "One incumbent fails to hold Senate seat". The Daily Register. Associated Press. June 3, 1981. p. 9. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_New_Jersey_Senate_election