The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, and elected the 12 U.S. representatives from the state of New Jersey, a loss of one seat following the 2010 United States census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate.
Overview United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey, 2012PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/– Democratic 1,794,301 54.67% 6 -1 Republican 1,430,325 43.58% 6 - Green 11,183 0.34% 0 - Libertarian 9,396 0.29% 0 - Others 36,573 1.11% 0 - Totals 3,281,778 100.00% 12 -1
Redistricting Redistricting in New Jersey is the responsibility of the New Jersey Redistricting Commission, comprising six Democrats and six Republicans. If a majority of the 12 cannot reach an agreement, a neutral 13th person serves as a mediator or tie-breaker. On December 23, 2011, the commission voted 7–6 for a map supported by Republicans.
District 1
In redistricting, Cherry Hill Township was added to the 1st district, while Riverton and parts of East Greenwich Township and Mantua Township were removed from the district. Democrat Rob Andrews, who had represented the 1st district since 1990, ran for re-election.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Rob Andrews, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary Francis Tenaglio, former Pennsylvania state Representative and candidate for Governor in 2005
Declined Frank Minor, Mayor of Logan Township Donald Norcross, state senator
Primary results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Gregory Horton, athletic director of Clearview Regional High School
Primary results
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call, November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal BallCrystal Ball , November 5, 2012 NY TimesHouse Race Ratings, The New York Times, November 4, 2012RCP, November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
By county County Rob AndrewsDemocratic Gregory HortonRepublican Various candidatesOther parties Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Burlington (part) 7,241 69.0% 3,162 30.1% 86 0.8% 4,079 38.9% 10,489 Camden (part) 148,085 71.1% 56,670 27.2% 3,384 1.6% 91,415 43.9% 208,149 Gloucester (part) 55,144 61.4% 32,627 36.3% 2,110 2.4% 22,517 25.1% 89,881Totals210,47068.2%92,45930.0%5,5901.8%118,01138.2%308,519
District 2
In redistricting, Barnegat Light, Bass River Township, Beach Haven, Eagleswood Township, Harvey Cedars, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom, Stafford Township, Surf City, Tuckerton, Washington Township and part of Mantua Township were added to the district. Republican Frank LoBiondo, who represented the 2nd district since 1995, sought re-election.
David W Bowen Sr., a businessman, a real estate investor and public speaker, ran as an independent.
Cassandra Shober, an office manager, won the Democratic nomination.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Frank LoBiondo, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary Mike Assad, Absecon Board of Education member
Primary results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Cassandra Shober, office manager
Eliminated in primary Viola Hughes, former mayor of Fairfield Township and nominee for this seat in 2006 Gary Stein, candidate for the General Assembly in 2011
Declined Lou Greenwald, Majority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly Jeff Van Drew, state senator Jim Whelan, state senator
Primary results
General election Endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror FrankLoBiondo (R) CassandraShober (D) Other UndecidedStockton CollegeStockton College September 19–24, 2012 614±4.0 55% 35% 1% 10%
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
By county County Frank LoBiondoRepublican Cassandra ShoberDemocratic Various candidatesOther parties Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Atlantic 56,473 53.6% 46,854 44.5% 1,958 1.9% 9,619 9.1% 105,285 Burlington (part) 629 68.4% 274 29.8% 16 1.7% 355 38.6% 919 Camden (part) 2,479 53.9% 2,066 44.9% 53 1.1% 413 9.0% 4,597 Cape May 29,705 67.8% 13,209 30.1% 922 2.1% 16,496 37.7% 43,836 Cumberland 26,150 52.9% 22,258 45.0% 1,060 2.2% 3,892 7.9% 49,468 Gloucester (part) 22,151 56.9% 15,960 41.0% 792 2.0% 6,191 15.9% 38,903 Ocean (part) 10,943 63.3% 6,080 35.2% 268 1.6% 4,863 28.1% 17,291 Salem 18,147 63.1% 9,761 33.9% 862 3.0% 8,386 29.2% 28,770Totals166,67757.7%116,46240.3%5,9302.1%50,21517.4%289,069
District 3
In redistricting, the 3rd district was made more favorable to Republicans. Parts of Burlington County, including Riverton and Shamong Township, and Brick Township and Mantoloking in Ocean County were added to the district, while Cherry Hill and Bass River were removed. Republican Jon Runyan, who had represented the 3rd district since January 2011, sought re-election.
Frederick John LaVergne of Delanco, New Jersey, ran as a "Democratic-Republican" - the party designation of Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and John Quincy Adams.
Robert Witterschein, an accountant, ran as an Independent.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jon Runyan, incumbent U.S. Representative
Declined Justin Murphy, former Tabernacle Township Committee Member and candidate for this seat in 2010
Primary results
Democratic primary Former U.S. Representative John Adler, who represented the 3rd district from 2009 until 2011 but lost re-election in 2010, had planned to run again; however, he died in April 2011. Shelley Adler, an of counsel attorney and the widow of the former congressman, ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Thomas Sacks-Wilner, a medical doctor who was considering a bid for the Democratic nomination, declined to run.
Candidates Nominee Shelley Adler, attorney and the widow of former U.S. Representative John Adler
Declined Thomas Sacks-Wilner, physician
Primary results
General election Endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror Jon Runyan (R) ShelleyAdler (D) Other UndecidedStockton CollegeStockton College September 28–October 2, 2012 614 ±4.0 49% 39% 3% 9%McLaughlin and Associates (R-Runyan)McLaughlin and Associates (R-Runyan) September 17–18, 2012 400 ±? 54% 34% — 16%
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
By county County Jon RunyanRepublican Shelley AdlerDemocratic Various candidatesOther parties Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Burlington (part) 97,739 50.5% 94,178 48.6% 1,736 0.8% 3,561 1.9% 193,653 Ocean (part) 76,514 58.5% 51,328 39.3% 2,904 2.3% 25,186 19.2% 130,746Totals174,25353.7%145,50644.9%4,6401.4%28,7478.8%324,399
District 4
In redistricting, the district lost all of its share of Burlington County, while gaining more of Republican-leaning Monmouth. Republican Chris Smith, who had represented the 4th congressional district since 1981, sought re-election.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Chris Smith, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary Terrence McGowan, retired firefighter, police officer, and Navy SEAL
Primary results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Brian Froelich, retired executive and business consultant
Withdrew Patricia Bennett, attorney Doug DeMeo
Primary results
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
By county County Chris SmithRepublican Brian FroelichDemocratic Leonard MarshallIndependent Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Mercer (part) 27,751 61.8% 16,727 37.3% 418 0.9% 11,024 24.5% 44,896 Monmouth (part) 109,506 61.6% 66,420 37.4% 1,762 1.0% 43,086 24.2% 177,688 Ocean (part) 57,888 69.2% 24,844 29.7% 931 1.1% 33,044 39.5% 83,663Totals195,14563.7%107,99135.3%3,1111.0%87,15428.4%306,247
District 5
Republican Scott Garrett, who had represented the 5th district since 2003, successfully sought re-election. Michael Cino, an oil executive who challenged Garrett in the Republican primary in 2006, ran again. Garret won the Republican primary by a fairly comfortable margin.
Jason Castle, an it executive and Marine; Adam Gussen, the deputy mayor of Teaneck; and Diane Sare, all ran for the Democratic nomination to challenge Garrett. Gussen eventually won the primary.
Patricia Alessandrini ran as a candidate of the Green Party for the seat.
Mark Quick, a former member of the Warren County Republican Committee who challenged Garrett as an Independent in 2010, had stated that he would run as a candidate of the Reform Party of New Jersey. He withdrew from the race and did not qualify for the ballot.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Scott Garrett, incumbent U.S. Representative
Eliminated in primary Michael Cino, oil executive and candidate for this seat in 2006 Bonnie Somer, chorus director and LaRouche political organizer
Primary results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Adam Gussen, deputy mayor of Teaneck
Eliminated in primary Jason Castle, IT executive and Marine Diane Sare, LaRouche movement activist
Withdrew Terry Duffy, director of Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders (withdrew March 12)
Declined Harry Carson, former New York Giants linebacker Robert M. Gordon, state senator Leo McGuire, former Bergen County Sheriff Jim McQueeny, public relations executive and former News12 anchor Steve Rothman, incumbent U.S. Representative for the 9th district (running in the 9th district) Connie Wagner, Member of the General Assembly
Primary results
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
By county County Scott GarrettRepublican Adam GussenDemocratic Patricia AlessandriniGreen Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Bergen (part) 110,351 50.9% 102,491 47.3% 4,051 1.9% 7,860 3.6% 216,893 Passaic (part) 10,026 61.6% 5,921 36.4% 321 2.0% 4,105 25.2% 16,268 Sussex (part) 28,984 66.5% 12,779 29.3% 1,832 4.2% 16,205 37.2% 43,595 Warren (part) 18,140 65.7% 8,909 32.3% 566 2.0% 9,231 33.4% 27,615Totals167,50155.0%130,10042.7%6,7702.2%37,40112.3%304,371
District 6
Democrat Frank Pallone, who had represented the 6th district since 1993 (and previously represented the 3rd district from 1988 until 1993), sought re-election.
Anna Little, the former mayor of Highlands, who unsuccessfully challenged Pallone as the Republican nominee in 2010, won the Republican nomination to challenge Pallone.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Frank Pallone, incumbent U.S. Representative
Primary results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Anna Little, former mayor of Highlands and nominee for this seat in 2010
Eliminated in primary Ernesto Cullari, small-business owner and orthopedic practitioner
Primary results
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
By county