1969 New Jersey gubernatorial election

The 1969 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1969. Republican nominee William T. Cahill defeated Democratic nominee Robert B. Meyner with 59.66% of the vote. This was the only gubernatorial election that Republicans won between 1953 and 1977.

Primary elections were held on June 3. Cahill won the Republican nomination narrowly over fellow South Jersey Congressman Charles W. Sandman Jr., while Meyner finished with nearly twice the vote of his closest competitor.

This is the first gubernatorial election since the 19th century, in which a Republican won Hudson County.

Candidates

 * Henry Helstoski, U.S. Representative from East Rutherford
 * John L. Hennessey, Sea Bright tavern owner
 * William F. Kelly, State Senator from Hudson County
 * Robert B. Meyner, former Governor
 * Ned J. Parsekian, former State Senator from Bergen County
 * D. Louis Tonti, director of the New Jersey Highway Authority

Candidates

 * William T. Cahill, U.S. Representative from Camden County
 * Frank X. McDermott, State Senator from Union County
 * William E. Ozzard, former State Senator from Somerset County
 * Charles W. Sandman Jr., U.S. Representative from Cape May County
 * Harry L. Sears, State Senator from Morris County

Candidates

 * William T. Cahill (Republican)
 * Robert B. Meyner (Democratic)
 * James E. Johnson (Independent)
 * Jack D. Alvino (Independent)
 * Winifred O. Perry (Conservative)
 * Louis Vanderplate (Independent)
 * Jules Levin (Socialist Labor)