The 1963 New Jersey Senate elections were held on November 5. The elections took place midway through the first term of Governor Richard J. Hughes. Eleven of New Jersey's 21 counties elected Senators. Republicans gained four seats by flipping one seat each in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Essex counties.
Incumbents not running for re-election Democratic Donal C. Fox (Essex) (lost support of county organization)
Republican All five Republican incumbents stood for re-election.
Summary of results by county CountyIncumbentPartyElected SenatorPartyAtlanticFrank S. FarleyRepNo electionBergenPierce DeamerRepNo electionBurlingtonHenry S. HainesDemEdwin B. ForsytheRepCamdenJoseph W. CowgillDemFrederick J. ScholzRepCape MayCharles W. SandmanRepCharles W. SandmanRepCumberlandRobert H. WeberDemNo electionEssexDonal C. FoxDemC. Robert SarconeRepGloucesterThomas F. Connery Jr.DemJohn E. HuntRepHudsonWilliam F. Kelly Jr.DemNo electionHunterdonRaymond E. BowkleyRepNo electionMercerSido RidolfiDemNo electionMiddlesexJohn A. LynchDemJohn A. LynchDemMonmouthRichard R. StoutRepRichard R. StoutRepMorrisThomas J. HilleryRepNo electionOceanW. Steelman MathisRepNo electionPassaicAnthony J. GrossiDemNo electionSalemJohn A. WaddingtonDemJohn A. WaddingtonDemSomersetWilliam E. OzzardRepWilliam E. OzzardRepSussexGeorge B. HarperRepNo electionUnion Nelson StamlerRepNelson StamlerRepWarrenWayne DumontRepWayne DumontRep
Close races Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
gain gain
gain
Burlington Democratic primary Candidates Henry S. Haines, incumbent Senator Edward J. Hulse, director of the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders and brother-in-law of Governor Hughes
Campaign The campaign was bitter, with Hulse criticizing Haines's record in the Senate. Haines was aligned with Grover C. Richman Jr., the former Attorney General whom Governor Hughes had outmaneuvered for the 1961 Democratic nomination.
Results
Hulse and his four-man ticket won the primary by carrying the heavily Democratic towns of Burlington, Florence, Levittown, and Maple Shade. Haines was strongest in Bordentown and also received a large majority in Palmyra.
Both Haines and Hulse lost their own home towns, Burlington and Edgewater Park, respectively.
General election Candidates Bernardo S. Doganiero, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor) Edward J. Hulse, director of the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders (Democratic) Edwin B. Forsythe, former mayor of Moorestown (Republican) John V. Mahalchik (Independent)
Results
Camden Democratic primary Candidates Joseph F. Carroll, college professor of education Joseph W. Cowgill, incumbent Senator
Results
Cowgill won the city of Camden with a 5–1 margin.
General election Candidates Joseph W. Cowgill, incumbent Senator (Democratic) Julius Levin (Socialist Labor) Frederick J. Scholz, senior vice president of First Camden National Bank and Trust Co. (Republican)
Results
Cape May
Essex
General election
Candidates
Elmer Matthews, Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly (Democratic) George C. Richardson, Democratic Assemblyman at-large for Essex County (New Frontier) C. Robert Sarcone, Assemblyman at-large for Essex County (Republican) David E. Wilson (Conservative) Paul J. Wolek (Legalized Gambling Bonus) Murray Zuckoff (Socialist Workers)
Results
Gloucester
Middlesex
Monmouth
Salem
Somerset
Union
Warren
References