The 1992 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 3, 1992, to determine who would represent the people of New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives. This election coincided with national elections for U.S. House and U.S. Senate. New Jersey had thirteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1990 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms.
Due to legislative redistricting, New Jersey lost one seat in the House. Four incumbent representatives, three Democrats and one Republican, chose to retire; each was succeeded by a member of their own party.
Overview 1992 United States House of Representatives elections in New JerseyPartyVotesPercentageCandidatesSeats+/– Democratic 1,354,915 45.29%13 7 1 Republican1,503,14550.24%13 6 Libertarian27,3780.92%130America First Populist10,5610.35%110Conservative3,3580.11%20Socialist Workers3,3240.11%40Communist1,5250.05%10 Independents 87,533 2.93%32 0 Totals 2,991,739 100.00%76 13 1
Background The elections followed the 1991 state elections, in which Republicans gained veto-proof majorities in both chambers of the New Jersey legislature as the result of backlash against Governor Jim Florio's legislative priorities, particularly a large tax increase. Several Republican legislators, including both newly elected and veteran lawmakers, sought seats in Congress in the 1992 election. Due to their large veto-proof majorities, the Republican Party controlled the redistricting process for congressional elections.
Following the 1990 United States census, New Jersey undertook decennial redistricting, resulting in the loss of one seat. To account for the reduction in apportionment, the third and sixth districts on the northern Jersey Shore were combined; Bernard J. Dwyer retired rather than run against fellow incumbent Frank Pallone. In addition to Dwyer, three representatives of populous North Jersey districts (Robert Roe, Frank Guarini, and Matt Rinaldo) chose to retire rather than run for re-election in their newly configured seats.
The deadline for candidates to file petitions for the primary election was April 9. Primary elections were held on June 2.
District 1
Incumbent Democrat Rob Andrews won. The district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Rob Andrews, incumbent Representative from Bellmawr since 1990
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Lee Solomon, assemblyman from Haddon Heights
Results
General election
Candidates
Rob Andrews, incumbent Representative from Bellmawr since 1990 (Democratic) Kenneth L. Lowndes (Pro-Life Independent Conservative) Nicholas Pastuch (America First Populist) James E. Smith (Pro-Life Pro-Family Veteran) Lee Solomon, assemblyman from Haddon Heights (Republican) Jerry Zeldin (Libertarian)
Results
District 2
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 Burlington and Gloucester counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Joseph L. Breeden Frank LoBiondo, assemblyman from Vineland
Results
General election Candidates
Roger Bacon (Libertarian) William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic) Andrea Lippi (Freedom Equality Prosperity) Frank LoBiondo, assemblyman from Vineland (Republican) Joseph Ponczek (Anti-Tax)
Campaign Despite Hughes's popularity in the district, LoBiondo waged an aggressive challenge, criticizing Hughes for taking full advantage of Congressional mailing and automobile privileges. LoBiondo, a leading sponsor of legislation to repeal the state's strict ban on "assault-type firearms," received strong support from the National Rifle Association and Coalition of New Jersey Sportsmen.
Endorsements
Results
District 3
Incumbent Republican Jim Saxton won. This district, which had previously been numbered as the thirteenth district, included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Frank W. Drake Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative from Mount Holly since 1984
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Howard Scott Pearlman Timothy E. Ryan
Results
General election
Candidates
Frank Burke (Basic Reformed Government) Martin T. King (Independent) William Donald McMahon ("Donald of Moorestown") Michael S. Permuko (NJ Conservative) Joseph A. Plonski (America First Populist) Helen L. Radder (Libertarian) James Reilly (Independent) Timothy E. Ryan (Democratic) Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative from Mount Holly since 1984 (Republican) Anthony J. Verderese (Independent)
Results
District 4
Incumbent Republican Chris Smith won. This district, in Central Jersey, consisted of parts of Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Michael DiMarco Brian M. Hughes, social worker and son of former governor and Supreme Court chief justice Richard J. Hughes
Results
General election
Candidates
Benjamin Grindlinger (Libertarian) Brian M. Hughes, social worker and son of former governor and Supreme Court chief justice Richard J. Hughes (Democratic) Agnes A. James (NJ Conservative) Joseph J. Notarangelo (America First Populist) Patrick C. Pasculli (Independent) Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981 (Republican)
Campaign Hughes sought to capitalize on Smith's reputation as a national anti-abortion leader.
Results
District 5
Incumbent Marge Roukema won. This district included parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties and all of Warren County.
Republican primary
Candidates
C. Larry Fischer Ira M. Marlowe Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981 Lou Sette
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Frank R. Lucas John Scully
Results
General election
Candidates
Stuart Bacha (America First Populist) George Lahood (Equality, Brotherhood, Justice) William J. Leonard (Independent) Michael V. Pierone (Libertarian) Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981 (Republican)
Results
District 6
Incumbent Democrat Frank Pallone won; fellow incumbent Bernard J. Dwyer declined to run. This district included parts of Middlesex and Monmouth counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Jeffrey R. Gorman, New Brunswick systems analyst Barbara Jensen Frank Pallone, incumbent Representative from Long Branch since 1988 Bob Smith, assemblyman and former mayor of Piscataway
Declined
Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Grace C. Applegate, Occupational Safety and Health Administration official and former assistant New Jersey Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Paul Danielczyk, nominee for this district in 1990 Joe Kyrillos, state senator from Middletown James R. Sheldon
Results
General election
Candidates
Simone Berg (Socialist Workers) Peter Cerrato (Independent for Freedom) Charles H. Dickson (Capitalist) Joe Kyrillos, state senator from Middletown (Republican) Kenneth Matto (America First Populist) Frank Pallone, incumbent Representative from Long Branch since 1988 (Democratic) George P. Predham (You Gotta Believe) Joseph Spalletta (The People's Candidate) Bill Stewart (Libertarian)
Endorsements
Results
District 7
Incumbent Matt Rinaldo withdrew from the race after winning renomination, and Republican assemblyman Bob Franks won the open seat. This district included parts of Essex, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973
Results
Rinaldo withdrew after the primary and was replaced by Bob Franks.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Karen Carroll, Bridgewater activist Leonard R. Sendelsky, Woodbridge real estate developer
Results
Republican replacement convention Following Rinaldo's withdrawal in September, Republicans met in a special convention to choose a replacement nominee. Assemblyman Bob Franks defeated Somerset County freeholder Michael Pappas.
Candidates
Bob Franks, chair of the New Jersey Republican Party and assemblyman from Summit Mike Pappas, Somerset County Freeholder
General election
Candidates
Bill Campbell (No Nonsense Government) Kevin Michael Criss (People's Congressional Preference) Bob Franks, chair of the New Jersey Republican Party and assemblyman from Summit (Republican) Eugene J. Gillespie Jr. (Independent) John Kucek (America First Populist) Spencer Layman (Libertarian) Leonard R. Sendelsky, Woodbridge real estate developer (Democratic)
Withdrew
Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973 (Republican)
Campaign Rinaldo withdrew from the race just ahead of the September general election filing deadline.
Endorsements
Results
District 8
Incumbent Robert Roe, the dean of the congressional delegation and a two-time candidate for governor, surprised observers by announcing his retirement. This district included parts of Essex and Passaic counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Roger P. Ham Joseph C. Iozia Herb Klein, former assemblyman from Clifton Claire I. Lagermasini, former aide to Hugh Carey and staffer for Eugene McCarthy's 1968 presidential campaign Harry McEnroe, assemblyman from South Orange
Declined
Richard Codey, state senator from West Orange Bill Pascrell, assemblyman and mayor of Paterson Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969
Campaign In the Essex County portion of the district, the campaign was connected to an ongoing feud between county party chair Raymond Durkin and county executive Thomas D'Alessio; McEnroe, a late entry to the race, was allied with Durkin.
Endorsements
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Joseph Bubba, state senator from Wayne Bob Davis Bernard George Norman M. Robertson, Passaic County Freeholder and nominee for this district in 1982
Results
General election
Candidates
Joseph Bubba, state senator from Wayne (Republican) Thomas Caslander (Independents for Change) Rob Dominianni (Restore Public Trust) Gregory E. Dzula (America First Populist) Neal A. Gorfinkle (New Jersey Independents) Herb Klein, incumbent Representative since 1993 (Democratic) Gloria Kolodziej, former mayor of Clifton (Independent for Change) Carmine O. Pelossie (Independent People's Network) Jason Redrup (Socialist Workers) Louis M. Stefanelli (Libertarian)
Campaign Entering the general election, Bubba was considered the favorite over Klein, who had not held elected office since 1978.
Endorsements
Results
District 9
Incumbent Democrat Bob Torricelli won.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Matt Guice Nany Harrigan Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Patrick J. Roma, assemblyman from Palisades Park
Results
General election
Candidates
Joseph D'Alessio (America First Populist) Shel Haas (An Independent Voice) Daniel M. Karlan (Libertarian) Gary Novosielski (New Jersey Independents) Patrick J. Roma, assemblyman from Palisades Park (Republican) Peter J. Russo, former assemblyman from Lyndhurst and candidate for this district in 1990 (Clean Up Congress) Herbert Shaw (Politicians are Crooks) Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983 (Democratic)
Campaign