1991 New Jersey General Assembly election

The 1991 New Jersey General Assembly election was held on November 5, 1991.

1991 New Jersey General Assembly election

← 1989November 5, 19911993 →

All 80 seats in the New Jersey General Assembly
41 seats needed for a majority
 Majority partyMinority party
 
LeaderChuck HaytaianJoe Doria
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Leader's seat24th31st
Last election3644
Seats before3743
Seats won5822
Seat changeIncrease 21Decrease 21

Speaker before election

Joe Doria
Democratic

Elected Speaker

Chuck Haytaian
Republican

The elections took place midway through Jim Florio's term as Governor of New Jersey. As in the State Senate elections, the Republican Party won a historic landslide, gaining 21 seats to win control of both chambers of the state legislature. As of 2024, the Republican Assembly majority of 58 seats is the largest for either party since 1973.

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

Background

Redistricting

1982–92
1992–2002
New Jersey Legislature before (left) and after (right) the 1991 redistricting

As required, the New Jersey legislature redistricted its state legislative districts in advance of the 1991 election. Redistricting was on balance considered to have favored Republicans.[1]

Tax increase

A centerpiece of the Florio administration's legislative agenda was the passage of a $2.8 billion tax increase. Republicans centered their 1991 campaign on opposition to the increase, as did even some incumbent Democrats, such as Senator Paul Contillo.[1]

According to the Florio administration, the tax increase was designed to aid blue-collar workers, who were "also the people most upset by enactment of the taxes."[1]

Gun control

Another major legislative achievement of the Florio administration was a strict gun control measure. The bill's passage led the National Rifle Association of America to spend nearly $250,000 in the 1991 elections targeting candidates in both parties who had voted in favor of the bill and supporting those who pledged to repeal it.[2]

Incumbents not running for re-election

Democratic

Additionally, several Democrats resigned their seats late in the 1991 campaign to join the Florio administration, including Joseph D. Patero, Edward H. Salmon, Frank M. Pelly.

Republican

Summary of races

Voters in each legislative district elect two members to the New Jersey General Assembly.

DistrictIncumbentPartyElectedParty
1st Legislative DistrictFrank LoBiondoRepFrank LoBiondoRep
Raymond A. Batten[a]DemJohn C. GibsonRep
2nd Legislative DistrictFred ScerniDemJohn F. GaffneyRep
Dolores G. CooperRepFrederick P. NicklesRep
3rd Legislative DistrictJack CollinsRepJack CollinsRep
Gary StuhltragerRepGary StuhltragerRep
4th Legislative DistrictAnthony S. MarsellaDemGinny WeberRep
Ann A. MullenDemGeorge GeistRep
5th Legislative DistrictJoseph J. Roberts[b]DemJoseph J. RobertsDem
Wayne R. BryantDemWayne R. BryantDem
6th Legislative DistrictJohn A. RoccoRepJohn A. RoccoRep
Lee Solomon[c]RepLee SolomonRep
7th Legislative DistrictBarbara KalikDemPriscilla B. AndersonRep
Jack Casey[d]DemJosé F. SosaRep
8th Legislative DistrictHarold L. Colburn Jr.RepHarold L. Colburn Jr.Rep
Robert C. Shinn Jr.RepRobert C. Shinn Jr.Rep
9th Legislative DistrictChristopher ConnorsRepChristopher ConnorsRep
Jeffrey MoranRepJeffrey MoranRep
10th Legislative DistrictJohn Paul DoyleDemGinny HainesRep
Marlene Lynch FordDemDavid W. WolfeRep
11th Legislative DistrictDaniel P. JacobsonDemTom SmithRep
John VillapianoDemSteve CorodemusRep
12th Legislative DistrictClare FarragherRepClare FarragherRep
Michael ArnoneRepMichael ArnoneRep
13th Legislative DistrictJoe KyrillosRepJoseph AzzolinaRep
Joann H. SmithRepJoann H. SmithRep
14th Legislative DistrictPeter A. Cantu[e]DemPaul KramerRep
Anthony CiminoDemBarbara WrightRep
15th Legislative DistrictJohn S. WatsonDemJohn S. WatsonDem
Gerald S. NaplesDemJohn HartmannRep
16th Legislative DistrictWalter J. KavanaughRepWalter J. KavanaughRep
John S. PennRepJohn S. PennRep
17th Legislative DistrictDavid C. SchwartzDemJerry GreenDem
Bob SmithDemBob SmithDem
18th Legislative DistrictGeorge A. SpadoroDemHarriet DermanRep
Michael J. Baker[f]DemJeff WarshRep
19th Legislative DistrictGeorge OtlowskiDemStephen A. MikulakRep
Jim McGreeveyDemErnest L. OrosRep
20th Legislative DistrictGeorge HudakDemGeorge HudakDem
Thomas J. Deverin[g]DemTom DunnDem
21st Legislative DistrictChuck HardwickRepMonroe Jay LustbaderRep
Neil M. CohenDemMaureen OgdenRep
22nd Legislative DistrictBob FranksRepBob FranksRep
Maureen Ogden[h]RepRichard BaggerRep
23rd Legislative DistrictBill Schluter[i]RepChuck HaytaianRep
Dick Kamin[j]RepLeonard LanceRep
24th Legislative DistrictScott Garrett[k]RepScott GarrettRep
Chuck Haytaian[l]RepDick KaminRep
25th Legislative DistrictRodney FrelinghuysenRepRodney FrelinghuysenRep
Arthur R. AlbohnRepArthur R. AlbohnRep
26th Legislative DistrictRobert J. MartinRepRobert J. MartinRep
Alex DeCroceRepAlex DeCroceRep
27th Legislative DistrictHarry A. McEnroe[m]DemRobert L. BrownDem
Mildred Barry GarvinDemStephanie R. BushDem
28th Legislative DistrictMichael AdubatoDemHarry McEnroeDem
James ZangariDemJames ZangariDem
29th Legislative DistrictWillie B. BrownDemWillie B. BrownDem
Eugene H. ThompsonDemJackie MattisonDem
30th Legislative DistrictJohn V. Kelly[n]RepRobert SingerRep
Marion Crecco[o]RepMelvin CottrellRep
31st Legislative DistrictJoe DoriaDemJoe DoriaDem
Joseph CharlesDemJoseph CharlesDem
32nd Legislative DistrictAnthony ImprevedutoDemAnthony ImprovedutoDem
David C. KronickDemDavid C. KronickDem
33rd Legislative DistrictBernard KennyDemBernard KennyDem
Bob MenendezDemLouis RomanoDem
34th Legislative DistrictGerald ZeckerRepGerald ZeckerRep
Joseph MeccaDemMarion CreccoRep
35th Legislative DistrictFrank Catania[p]RepFrank CataniaRep
Bill PascrellDemBill PascrellDem
36th Legislative DistrictLouis J. GillDemJohn V. KellyRep
Thomas J. Duch[q]DemPaul DiGaetanoRep
37th Legislative DistrictD. Bennett MazurDemD. Bennett MazurDem
Byron BaerDemByron BaerDem
38th Legislative DistrictRose Marie HeckRepRose Marie HeckRep
Patrick J. RomaRepPatrick J. RomaRep
39th Legislative DistrictJohn E. RooneyRepJohn E. RooneyRep
Charlotte Vandervalk[r]RepCharlotte VandervalkRep
40th Legislative DistrictDavid C. RussoRepDavid C. RussoRep
Nicholas FeliceRepNicholas FeliceRep

District 1

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanFrank A. LoBiondo (incumbent) 32,063 31.7%
RepublicanJohn C. Gibson 28,402 28.1%
DemocraticJennifer R. Lookabaugh20,87220.6%
DemocraticRaymond A. Batten (incumbent)19,80319.6%
Total votes101,140 100.0

District 2

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanJohn F. Gaffney 21,833 26.5%
RepublicanFredrick P. Nickles 20,948 25.4%
DemocraticFred Scerni (incumbent)20,50324.9%
DemocraticTom Foley19,09523.2%
Total votes82,379 100.0

District 3

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanJack Collins (incumbent) 30,117 29.4%
RepublicanGary W. Stuhltrager (incumbent) 29,314 28.6%
DemocraticBenjamin W. Timberman20,24119.8%
DemocraticNancy L. Sungenis20,14719.7%
PopulistJames H. Orr Jr.1,3541.3%
PopulistAlbert S. Fogg, III1,3021.3%
Total votes102,475 100.0

District 4

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMary Virginia "Ginny" Weber 21,262 26.2%
RepublicanGeorge F. Geist 20,455 25.2%
DemocraticAnn A. Mullen (incumbent)20,14324.8%
DemocraticTimothy D. Scaffidi19,28523.8%
Total votes81,145 100.0

District 5

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticWayne R. Bryant (incumbent) 24,592 32.3%
DemocraticJoe Roberts (incumbent) 24,322 31.9%
RepublicanWalter Jost14,12418.5%
RepublicanRev. John Randall13,19717.3%
Total votes76,235 100.0

District 6

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanJohn A. Rocco (incumbent) 31,533 28.5%
RepublicanLee A. Solomon (incumbent) 31,095 28.1%
DemocraticLewis “Robbie” Friedner24,23121.9%
DemocraticDr. Leonard P. Krivy23,92021.6%
Total votes110,779 100.0

District 7

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanPriscilla B. Anderson 25,989 26.2%
RepublicanJose F. Sosa 25,925 26.1%
DemocraticBarbara Faith Kalik (incumbent)23,95324.2%
DemocraticJohn “Jack” Casey (incumbent)23,30723.5%
Total votes99,174 100.0

District 8

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanRobert C. Shinn (incumbent) 27,834 32.5%
RepublicanHarold L. Colburn (incumbent) 27,631 32.3%
DemocraticJames S. Brophy15,37418.0%
DemocraticArthur J. Zeichner14,72617.2%
Total votes85,565 100.0

District 9

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanChristopher J. Connors (incumbent) 41,977 34.7%
RepublicanJeffrey W. Moran (incumbent) 41,928 34.6%
DemocraticLen Morano18,82115.5%
DemocraticEdward W. Frydendahl Jr.18,38815.2%
Total votes121,114 100.0

District 10

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanVirginia “Ginny” Haines 35,093 31.6%
RepublicanDavid W. Wolfe 34,368 30.9%
DemocraticMarlene Lynch Ford (incumbent)21,38419.2%
DemocraticPaul C. Brush20,31118.3%
Total votes111,156 100.0

District 11

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanTom Smith 27,024 25.5%
RepublicanSteve Corodemus 26,966 25.4%
DemocraticJohn A. Villapiano (incumbent)23,70322.4%
DemocraticDaniel P. Jacobson (incumbent)21,86420.6%
Truth in GovernmentJames W. Manning3,7503.5%
I Represent YouRobert J. Furlong, Sr.2,6532.5%
Total votes105,960 100.0

District 12

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMichael J. Arnone (incumbent) 33,772 32.0%
RepublicanClare M. Farragher (incumbent) 33,657 31.9%
DemocraticMichael A. Ferguson17,16816.3%
DemocraticArnold Bellush16,62515.8%
Accountable IndependentJames H. Dorn1,8671.8%
LibertarianVirginia A. Flynn1,3961.3%
LibertarianDonald W. Jamison9710.9%
Total votes105,456 100.0

District 13

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanJoseph M. Kyrillos Jr. (incumbent) 31,934 27.9%
RepublicanJoann H. Smith (incumbent) 30,259 26.4%
DemocraticRichard A. Cooper26,39123.0%
DemocraticIrvin B. Beaver25,70022.4%
LibertarianClaudia Montelione3450.3%
Total votes'114,629' '100.0'

District 14

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanPaul Kramer 31,944 29.1%
RepublicanBarbara Wright 29,655 27.0%
DemocraticAnthony J. “Skip” Cimino (incumbent)21,53719.6%
DemocraticPeter A. Cantu (incumbent)18,16816.6%
Regular Independent OrganizationKevin John Meara5,1454.7%
Senior PowerPaul Rizzo3,2312.9%
Total votes109,680 100.0

District 15

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanJohn Hartmann 22,091 25.2%
DemocraticJohn S. Watson (incumbent) 18,713 21.33%
RepublicanChannell Wilkins18,57821.18%
DemocraticGerard S. Naples (incumbent)17,08119.5%
Making Government WorkSteven Schlossstein5,1485.9%
Making Government WorkW. Oliver “Bucky” Leggett4,6555.3%
Coalition of OneRobert Gunderman1,4481.7%
Total votes87,714 100.0

District 16

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanWalter J. Kavanaugh (incumbent) 33,849 35.5%
RepublicanJohn S. Penn (incumbent) 32,108 33.7%
DemocraticJames C. Walker14,94015.7%
DemocraticJulia Pepe Cino14,36515.1%
Total votes95,262 100.0

District 17

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticBob Smith (incumbent) 17,206 26.1%
DemocraticJerry Green 16,449 24.9%
RepublicanBarbara “Bobbie” Weigel15,16523.0%
RepublicanFrank A. Santoro14,82722.5%
Equal Justice CommitteeMoses Williams8181.2%
PopulistAl Olszewski7591.2%
The People's VoiceJoseph S. Ginn7281.1%
Total votes65,952 100.0

District 18

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanHarriet Derman 30,946 29.6%
RepublicanJeff Warsh 29,631 28.4%
DemocraticGeorge A. Spadoro (incumbent)22,13221.2%
DemocraticMichael Baker (incumbent)21,67420.8%
Total votes104,383 100.0

District 19

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanStephen A. Mikulak 24,761 27.8%
RepublicanErnest L. Oros 23,908 26.8%
DemocraticThomas J. Deverin20,67323.2%
DemocraticJay Ziznewski19,77422.2%
Total votes89,116 100.0

District 20

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticGeorge Hudak (incumbent) 15,032 26.7%
DemocraticTom Dunn 14,442 25.7%
RepublicanRichard E. Hunt13,55524.1%
RepublicanPhilip G. Gentile13,18823.5%
Total votes56,217 100.0

District 21

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMaureen Ogden (incumbent) 34,282 32.4%
RepublicanMonroe Jay Lustbader 33,914 32.1%
DemocraticNeil M. Cohen (incumbent)20,46019.3%
DemocraticFrank Covello15,92815.1%
PopulistBill Ciccone1,2121.1%
Total votes105,796 100.0

District 22

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanBob Franks (incumbent) 37,087 37.9%
RepublicanRichard H. Bagger 36,704 37.5%
DemocraticEdward Kahn12,24112.5%
DemocraticRichard Kress11,90012.2%
Total votes97,932 100.0

District 23

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanGarabed “Chuck” Haytaian (incumbent) 31,372 32.8%
RepublicanLeonard Lance 28,879 30.2%
DemocraticRosemarie A. Albanese14,62115.3%
DemocraticDiane Bowman12,27812.8%
Citizen Not PoliticianCharles D. Meyer5,1635.4%
Reduce Insurance RatesFrederick P. Cook2,3732.5%
PopulistJoseph J. Notarangelo9191.0%
Total votes95,605 100.0

District 24

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanE. Scott Garrett (incumbent) 31,174 39.6%
RepublicanDick Kamin (incumbent) 30,944 39.3%
DemocraticMichael J. Larose13,10616.7%
PopulistStuart Bacha1,9572.5%
PopulistCompton C. Pakenham1,5231.9%
Total votes78,704 100.0

District 25

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanRodney P. Frelinghuysen (incumbent) 31,792 37.2%
RepublicanArthur R. Albohn (incumbent) 29,461 34.5%
DemocraticAnn Avram Huber12,82215.0%
DemocraticMarc N. Pindus11,40513.3%
Total votes85,480 100.0

District 26

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanRobert J. Martin (incumbent) 32,337 37.6%
RepublicanAlex DeCroce (incumbent) 32,303 37.6%
DemocraticPatricia Pilson Scott10,36312.1%
DemocraticJerry Vitiello9,80911.4%
PopulistRichard Hrazanek1,0781.3%
Total votes85,890 100.0

District 27

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticStephanie R. Bush 18,308 38.0%
DemocraticRobert L. Brown 17,614 36.6%
RepublicanDorcas O’Neal-Williams9,97620.7%
Direct RepresentativeDaniel L. Tindall Jr.2,2474.7%
Total votes48,145 100.0

District 28

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticHarry McEnroe (incumbent) 14,892 33.3%
DemocraticJames Zangari (incumbent) 14,470 32.4%
RepublicanPhyllis C. Cedola6,93315.5%
RepublicanConsiglia Amato-DeMeo6,90315.5%
Socialist WorkersAl Duncan7621.7%
Socialist WorkersMarlene Karen Kopperud6941.6%
Total votes44,654 100.0

District 29

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticWillie B. Brown (incumbent) 12,519 36.4%
DemocraticJackie R. Mattison 11,687 34.0%
RepublicanJanie R. Thomas4,00811.7%
RepublicanKurt A. Culbreath3,79911.1%
Proven LeadershipDelores W. Battle1,7205.0%
Socialist WorkersDon Mackle3621.1%
Socialist WorkersJason Redrup2740.8%
Total votes34,369 100.0

District 30

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanRobert W. Singer 27,704 34.6%
RepublicanMelvin Cottrell 26,553 33.1%
DemocraticRalph Adinolfe13,07016.3%
DemocraticMichael G. Tamn12,80416.0%
Total votes80,131 100.0

District 31

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticJoseph V. Doria Jr. (incumbent) 17,189 28.8%
DemocraticJoseph Charles Jr. (incumbent) 17,047 28.5%
RepublicanMichael D. Webb12,88121.6%
RepublicanJames Patrick White12,59621.1%
Total votes59,713 100.0

District 32

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticAnthony Impreveduto (incumbent) 20,911 29.0%
DemocraticDavid Kronick (incumbent) 19,764 27.5%
RepublicanRobert MacMillan14,53620.2%
RepublicanGaston Delgado14,14519.6%
Politicians Are CrooksEdith M. Shaw1,3601.9%
Politicians Are CrooksVivian L. Shaw1,2781.8%
Total votes71,994 100.0

District 33

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticBernard F. Kenny Jr. (incumbent) 18,522 34.5%
DemocraticLouis A. Romano 18,220 33.9%
RepublicanAntonio Miguelez8,55815.9%
RepublicanA. Lazaro Guas8,43515.7%
Total votes53,735 100.0

District 34

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanGerald H. Zecker (incumbent) 32,153 34.3%
RepublicanMarion Crecco (incumbent) 32,014 34.1%
DemocraticSabina O’Brien14,91415.9%
DemocraticVictor Rabbat14,79115.8%
Total votes93,872 100.0

District 35

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticWilliam J. Pascrell Jr. (incumbent) 17,394 28.8%
RepublicanFrank Catania (incumbent) 14,894 24.7%
DemocraticEli M. Burgos14,26623.6%
RepublicanMartin G. Barnes13,84822.9%
Total votes60,402 100.0

District 36

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanJohn V. Kelly 24,356 30.1%
RepublicanPaul DiGaetano 23,819 29.5%
DemocraticAlfred R. Restaino16,36620.2%
DemocraticLouis J. Gill (incumbent)16,31020.2%
Total votes80,851 100.0

District 37

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticD. Bennett Mazur (incumbent) 23,456 26.1%
DemocraticByron Baer (incumbent) 23,308 25.9%
RepublicanJohn R. Smith20,60122.9%
RepublicanHarvey Salb19,95522.2%
Independent PartyJoseph Marino1,4171.6%
Independent PartyJohn Gramuglia1,2701.4%
Total votes90,007 100.0

District 38

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanPatrick J. Roma (incumbent) 31,958 32.0%
RepublicanRose Marie Heck (incumbent) 28,552 28.6%
DemocraticFrank Biasco19,81619.9%
DemocraticThomas J. Duch19,39819.5%
Total votes99,724 100.0

District 39

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanCharlotte Vandervalk (incumbent) 40,864 41.7%
RepublicanJohn E. Rooney (incumbent) 37,573 38.3%
DemocraticAndrew Vaccaro16,60917.0%
PopulistPatricia Rainsford1,4981.5%
PopulistRobert Reiss1,4401.5%
Total votes97,984 100.0

District 40

General election

New Jersey general election, 1991[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanNicholas R. Felice (incumbent) 36,573 38.3%
RepublicanDavid C. Russo (incumbent) 35,650 37.4%
DemocraticWilliam J. Branagh11,74112.3%
DemocraticMartin Etler11,45912.0%
Total votes95,423 100.0

Notes

References