1984 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

The 1984 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 6, 1984, 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 fourteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1980 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms.

1984 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)
All 14 New Jersey seats to the United States House of Representatives
Turnout	79% ( 17pp)
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Last election 9 5 Seats won 8 6 Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 1,508,320 1,470,836 Percentage 50.4% 49.2% Swing 5.8% 6.5%
Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90% Republican   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%

Overview

1984 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey
Party		Votes	Percentage	Candidates	Seats	+/–
	Democratic	1,508,320	50.42%	14	8	1
	Republican	1,470,836	49.16%	14	6	2
	Libertarian	6,524	0.22%	5	0
	Socialist Labor	524	0.02%	1	0
	Independents	5,454	0.18%	4	0
Totals		2,991,658	100.00%	38	14

Redistricting

1983–84

1985–1992

New Jersey congressional districts before (left) and after (right) the Karcher v. Daggett decision and court-ordered redistricting

Following the 1980 United States census, the New Jersey Legislature had conducted decennial redistricting. The resulting map, which was considered heavily favorable to the Democratic Party and approved by Democratic governor Brendan Byrne, was used for the 1982 elections. However, Republicans challenged the map under the "equal representation" clause of Article One, Section 2 of the United States Constitution. In Karcher v. Daggett, 462 U.S. 725 (1983), the Supreme Court of the United States (in an opinion written by former New Jersey judge William J. Brennan Jr.) ruled that the 1982 map violated the equal representation clause because its districts were not drawn to achieve as close to population equality as practicable. The Court ruled that all deviations, no matter how minimal, must be justified by a legitimate government interest. New Jersey was given a deadline of February 3, 1984 to draw a new U.S. Supreme Court-approved map for the 1984 House elections.

Efforts to redraw the map pitted Governor Thomas Kean, a Republican, against the Democratic legislative majority. The initial replacement map, which passed the Assembly on January 6 and had a population variance of 0.06 percent, was advocated by Newark assemblyman Willie B. Brown as protecting the black-majority tenth district, while Republican counterproposals reduced the population variance further at the expense of the state's lone majority-minority district. Brown cited the Court's position that preserving minority voting strength "was a legitimate justification for including population deviations in redistricting plans."

However, Kean vetoed the legislature's map, arguing that it was designed to preserve Democratic chances in the upcoming election, and no compromise was reached ahead of the February 3 deadline. As a result, a three-judge federal court panel (John Joseph Gibbons, Clarkson Sherman Fisher and Stanley Brotman) considered five proposals, including the vetoed legislative map. The panel selected a map proposed by four of the five incumbent Republican U.S. representatives, citing its low population differences and compact districts. Only twenty-five people separated the most and least populous districts, and the majority-black tenth district was preserved. Kean said the result was not "an ideal solution" and called for a bipartisan or nonpartisan commission for future redistricting, which was eventually established by constitutional amendment in November 1995.

The most significant political change on the map in 1984 was in the eleventh district, represented by Democratic incumbent Joseph Minish since 1963. The new map removed several strongly Democratic urban areas in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties and added suburban and rural areas in Morris, Sussex, and Warren, favoring Republicans. As a result, Minish was expected to draw a significant challenge in the 1984 elections.

District 1

See also: New Jersey's 1st congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 1st congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee James Florio Fred Busch Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 152,125 58,800 Percentage 71.9% 27.8%

U.S. Representative before election James Florio Democratic Elected U.S. Representative James Florio Democratic

Incumbent Democrat James Florio won. The district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975
• Patrick A. Miller, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James Florio (incumbent)	42,509	93.42%
	Democratic	Patrick A. Miller	2,992	6.58%
Total votes			45,501	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Fred A. Busch, chemical sales representative and former member of the Camden County Republican Committee

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Fred A. Busch	11,111	100.00%
Total votes			11,111	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Fred A. Busch, chemical sales representative and former member of the Camden County Republican Committee (Republican)
• James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Republican)
• Jerry Zeldin (Libertarian)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	James Florio (incumbent)	152,125	71.86%
	Republican	Fred A. Busch	58,800	27.77%
	Libertarian	Jerry Zeldin	786	0.37%
Total votes			211,711	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 2

See also: New Jersey's 2nd congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 2nd congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee William J. Hughes Raymond Massie Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 132,841 77,231 Percentage 63.4% 36.6%

U.S. Representative before election William J. Hughes Democratic Elected U.S. Representative William J. Hughes Democratic

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 Gloucester County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William J. Hughes (incumbent)	25,023	100.00%
Total votes			25,023	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Raymond G. Massie, Stockton State College professor of business law

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Raymond G. Massie	19,293	100.00%
Total votes			19,293	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Raymond G. Massie, Stockton State College professor of business law (Republican)
• William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	William J. Hughes (incumbent)	132,841	63.41%
	Republican	Raymond G. Massie	77,231	36.59%
Total votes			211,072	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 3

1984 New Jersey's 3rd congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee James J. Howard Brian T. Kennedy Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 122,291 105,028 Percentage 53.3% 45.8%

U.S. Representative before election James J. Howard Democratic Elected U.S. Representative James J. Howard Democratic

See also: New Jersey's 3rd congressional district

Incumbent Democrat James J. Howard won.

This district included parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Dorothy J. Eaton, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• James J. Howard, incumbent Representative since 1965

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James J. Howard (incumbent)	23,278	90.60%
	Democratic	Dorothy J. Eaton	2,315	9.40%
Total votes			25,693	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Brian T. Kennedy, former state senator from Sea Girt

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Brian T. Kennedy	15,737	100.00%
Total votes			15,737	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Lawrence D. Erickson (Citizens-Socialist)
• James J. Howard, incumbent Representative since 1965 (Democratic)
• Brian T. Kennedy, former state senator from Sea Girt (Republican)
• Frank Krushinski Jr. (Christian American)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	James J. Howard (incumbent)	122,291	53.30%
	Republican	Brian T. Kennedy	105,028	45.78%
	Independent	Frank Krushinski Jr.	1,196	0.52%
	Independent	Lawrence D. Erickson	907	0.40%
Total votes			229,422	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 4

See also: New Jersey's 4th congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 4th congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee Chris Smith James Hedden Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 139,295 87,908 Percentage 61.3% 38.7%

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, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Smith (incumbent)	13,049	100.00%
Total votes			13,049	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• James C. Hedden, political director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and former Mercer County freeholder
• Jeffrey Laurenti, former executive director of the New Jersey Senate Democratic majority
• Janet C. Sare, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James C. Hedden	20,640	53.07%
	Democratic	Jeffrey Laurenti	15,823	40.68%
	Democratic	Janet C. Sare	2,430	6.25%
Total votes			38,893	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• James C. Hedden, political director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (Democratic)
• Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981 (Republican)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Chris Smith (incumbent)	139,295	61.31%
	Democratic	James C. Hedden	87,908	38.69%
Total votes			227,203	100.00%
Turnout			132,360	45.35%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 5

See also: New Jersey's 5th congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 5th congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee Marge Roukema Rose Brunetto Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 171,979 69,666 Percentage 71.2% 28.8%

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.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Marge Roukema (incumbent)	19,799	100.00%
Total votes			19,799	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Rose Brunetto, former aide to U.S. senator Bill Bradley
• John P. Kilroy Jr., supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• Mark Rohrlich, former newspaper reporter

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Rose Brunetto	18,951	83.56%
	Democratic	John P. Kilroy Jr.	1,974	8.70%
	Democratic	Mark Rohrlich	1,755	7.74%
Total votes			22,680	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Rose Brunetto, former aide to U.S. senator Bill Bradley (Democratic)
• Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981 (Republican)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Marge Roukema (incumbent)	171,979	71.17%
	Democratic	Rose Brunetto	69,666	28.83%
Total votes			241,645	100.00%
Turnout			134,220	46.32%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 6

See also: New Jersey's 6th congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 6th congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee Bernard J. Dwyer Dennis Adams Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 118,532 90,862 Percentage 55.9% 42.8%

U.S. Representative before election Bernard J. Dwyer Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Bernard J. Dwyer Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Bernard J. Dwyer won. This district included parts of Middlesex, Monmouth and Union counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981
• Alex Plechocki, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bernard J. Dwyer (incumbent)	27,414	86.38%
	Democratic	Alex Plechocki	4,323	13.32%
Total votes			31,737	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Dennis Adams, retired car dealer

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Dennis Adams	5,785	100.00%
Total votes			5,785	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Dennis Adams, retired car dealer (Republican)
• Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981 (Democratic)
• Stephen Friedlander (Libertarian)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Bernard J. Dwyer (incumbent)	118,532	55.89%
	Republican	Dennis Adams	90,862	42.84%
	Libertarian	Stephen Friedlander	2,686	1.27%
Total votes			212,080	100.00%
Turnout			103,110	37.54%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 7

See also: New Jersey's 7th congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 7th congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee Matt Rinaldo John Feeley Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 165,685 56,798 Percentage 74.2% 25.4%

U.S. Representative before election Matt Rinaldo Republican Elected U.S. Representative Matt Rinaldo Republican

Incumbent Matt Rinaldo won. This district included parts of Essex, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Matt Rinaldo (incumbent)	19,847	100.00%
Total votes			19,847	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• James J. Cleary, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• John F. Feeley, data processing consultant
• Dwight Gatling

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John F. Feeley	14,317	63.01%
	Democratic	Dwight Gatlino	4,911	21.61%
	Democratic	James J. Cleary	3,493	15.37%
Total votes			22,721	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• John F. Feeley, data processing consultant (Democratic)
• Paul Nelson (Libertarian)
• Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973 (Republican)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Matt Rinaldo (incumbent)	165,685	74.20%
	Democratic	John F. Feeley	56,798	25.44%
	Libertarian	Paul Nelson	799	0.36%
Total votes			223,282	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 8

See also: New Jersey's 8th congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 8th congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee Robert A. Roe Marguerite Page Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 118,793 69,973 Percentage 62.7% 36.9%

U.S. Representative before election Robert A. Roe Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Robert A. Roe Democratic

Incumbent Robert Roe won. This district included parts of Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969 and candidate for governor in 1977 and 1981
• Ronald H. Taylor, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Robert A. Roe (incumbent)	30,352	95.76%
	Democratic	Ronald H. Taylor	3,794	4.24%
Total votes			34,046	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• William R. Cleveland, Clifton advertising executive
• Marguerite A. Page, Newark schoolteacher

Withdrew

• James Irvin Glover

Endorsements

William R. Cleveland

Party officials

• Rocco Motta, chair of the Passaic County Republican Party

Marguerite A. Page

State legislators

• Joseph Bubba, state senator from Wayne and former chair of the Passaic County Republican Party

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Marguerite A. Page	12,167	83.47%
	Republican	William R. Cleveland	2,409	16.53%
Total votes			14,576	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Daniel A. Maiullo Jr. (Libertarian)
• Marguerite A. Page, Newark schoolteacher (Republican)
• Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969 (Democratic)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert A. Roe (incumbent)	118,793	62.72%
	Republican	Marguerite A. Page	69,973	36.95%
	Libertarian	Daniel A. Maiullo Jr.	629	0.33%
Total votes			189,395	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 9

See also: New Jersey's 9th congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 9th congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee Bob Torricelli Neil Romano Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 149,493 89,166 Percentage 62.6% 37.4%

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

Incumbent Democrat Bob Torricelli won. This district consisted of parts of Bergen and Hudson counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John Graverholz, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bob Torricelli (incumbent)	36,937	93.62%
	Democratic	John Graverholz	2,519	6.38%
Total votes			39,456	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Neil Romano, former executive director of the Monmouth County Republican Party

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Neil Romano	9,839	100.00%
Total votes			9,839	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Neil Romano, former executive director of the Monmouth County Republican Party (Republican)
• Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983 (Democratic)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Bob Torricelli (incumbent)	149,493	62.64%
	Republican	Neil Romano	89,166	37.36%
Total votes			238,659	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 10

See also: New Jersey's 10th congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 10th congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee Peter W. Rodino Howard Berkeley Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 111,244 21,712 Percentage 83.7% 16.3%

U.S. Representative before election Peter W. Rodino Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Peter W. Rodino Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Peter W. Rodino won. The district included parts of Essex and Union counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Arthur S. Jones, minister of St. Mark's African Methodist Episcopal Church in East Orange
• Peter W. Rodino, incumbent Representative since 1949
• Thelma I. Tyree, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Peter W. Rodino (incumbent)	42,109	76.31%
	Democratic	Arthur S. Jones	10,294	18.65%
	Democratic	Thelma I. Tyree	2,779	5.04%
Total votes			55,182	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Howard E. Berkeley

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Howard E. Berkeley	2,582	100.00%
Total votes			2,582	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Howard E. Berkeley (Republican)
• Peter W. Rodino, incumbent Representative since 1949 (Democratic)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Peter W. Rodino (incumbent)	111,244	83.67%
	Republican	Howard E. Berkeley	21,712	16.33%
Total votes			132,956	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 11

See also: New Jersey's 11th congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 11th congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee Dean Gallo Joseph Minish Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 133,662 106,038 Percentage 55.8% 44.2%

U.S. Representative before election Joseph Minish Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Dean Gallo Republican

Republican Dean Gallo defeated Democratic incumbent Joseph Minish. This district, which had been significantly revised as the result of Karcher v. Daggett, consisted of parts of Essex, Morris, Sussex and Warren counties.

The Republican Party would continue to hold this seat until 2018.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Mary Frueholz, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• Joseph Minish, incumbent Representative from West Orange since 1963

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph Minish (incumbent)	25,688	87.68%
	Democratic	Mary Frueholz	3,609	12.32%
Total votes			29,297	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Dean Gallo, assemblyman from Parsippany–Troy Hills and assembly minority leader

Declined

• John H. Dorsey, state senator from Boonton
• Rodney Frelinghuysen, assemblyman from Morristown, candidate for the 12th district in 1982, and son of former Representative Peter Frelinghuysen
• Rey Redington, former president of the Montclair Chamber of Commerce and nominee for this seat in 1982

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Dean Gallo	21,225	100.00%
Total votes			21,225	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Dean Gallo, assemblyman from Parsippany–Troy Hills and assembly minority leader (Republican)
• Joseph Minish, incumbent Representative from West Orange since 1963 (Democratic)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Dean Gallo	133,662	55.76%
	Democratic	Joseph Minish (incumbent)	106,038	44.24%
Total votes			239,700	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 12

See also: New Jersey's 12th congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 12th congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee Jim Courter Peter Bearse Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 148,042 78,167 Percentage 65.0% 34.3%

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

Incumbent Republican Jim Courter won. This sprawling district included all of Hunterdon County and parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Courter, incumbent Representative since 1979

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Courter (incumbent)	21,887	100.00%
Total votes			21,887	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Peter Bearse, economist and member of the Princeton Township Council
• Richard Forbes, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• Ray Rollinson, salesman and perennial candidate
• Norman J. Weinstein, former president of the Somerville Borough Council

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Peter Bearse	10,477	42.50%
	Democratic	Norman J. Weinstein	6,951	28.20%
	Democratic	Richard Forbes	3,838	15.57%
	Democratic	Ray Rollinson	3,386	13.74%
Total votes			24,652	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Peter Bearse, economist and member of the Princeton Township Council (Democratic)
• Jim Courter, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Republican)
• Joseph R. Kerr III (Libertarian)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Courter (incumbent)	148,042	64.98%
	Democratic	Peter Bearse	78,167	34.31%
	Libertarian	Joseph R. Kerr III	1,624	0.71%
Total votes			227,833	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 13

See also: New Jersey's 13th congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 13th congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee Jim Saxton Jim Smith Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 141,136 89,307 Percentage 60.7% 38.4%

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

This seat had been vacant since incumbent Republican Edwin Forsythe died on March 29, 1984. Republican Jim Saxton won the open seat, as well as the special election to complete Forsythe's term.

This district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• M. Dean Haines, Ocean County Clerk and former mayor of Barnegat
• Jim Saxton, state senator from Bordentown Township
• John A. Rocco, assemblyman and former mayor of Cherry Hill

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Saxton (incumbent)	16,143	44.71%
	Republican	M. Dean Haines	14,955	41.42%
	Republican	John A. Rocco	5,012	13.88%
Total votes			36,110	100.00%

Special primary results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Saxton (incumbent)	13,877	46.01%
	Republican	M. Dean Haines	12,178	40.38%
	Republican	John A. Rocco	4,107	13.62%
Total votes			30,162	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Herbert J. Buehler, former state senator from Point Pleasant Beach
• Eugene Allan Creech, nuclear disarmament advocate
• Michael DiMarco, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• James B. Smith, mayor of Mount Holly

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James B. Smith	15,557	56.20%
	Democratic	Herbert J. Buehler	5,288	19.10%
	Democratic	Eugene Creech	3,637	13.14%
	Democratic	Michael Di Marco	3,200	11.56%
Total votes			27,682	100.00%

Special primary results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James B. Smith	15,154	64.35%
	Democratic	Herbert J. Buehler	8,396	35.65%
Total votes			23,550	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Bernardo Doganiero, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
• Jim Saxton, state senator from Bordentown Township (Republican)
• Don Smith (Constitutional Freedom)
• James B. Smith, mayor of Mount Holly (Democratic)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Saxton (incumbent)	141,136	60.71%
	Democratic	Jim Smith	89,307	38.41%
	Independent	Don Smith	1,516	0.65%
	Socialist Labor	Bernardo S. Doganiero	524	0.23%
Total votes			232,483	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 14

See also: New Jersey's 14th congressional district

1984 New Jersey's 14th congressional district election

November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06)

Nominee Frank Guarini Edward Magee Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 115,117 58,265 Percentage 65.7% 33.3%

U.S. Representative before election Frank J. Guarini Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Frank J. Guarini Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Frank J. Guarini won. This district included parts Hudson County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979
• Edward Malik, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• Anthony Peduto, Jersey City lawyer

Endorsements

Frank J. Guarini

Local officials

• Gerald McCann, mayor of Jersey City

Results

1984 Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank J. Guarini (incumbent)	50,775	71.65%
	Democratic	Anthony P. Peduto	19,856	24.21%
	Democratic	Edward Malik	3,398	4.14%
Total votes			82,029	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Edward T. Magee

Results

1984 Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Edward T. Magee	5,746	100.00%
Total votes			5,746	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Democratic)
• Edward T. Magee (Republican)
• Herbert Shaw, perennial candidate (Politicians are Crooks)

Results

1984 U.S. House election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Frank J. Guarini (incumbent)	115,117	65.70%
	Republican	Edward T. Magee	58,265	33.25%
	Independent	Herbert Shaw	1,835	1.05%
Total votes			175,217	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}