1978 United States Senate election in New Jersey

The 1978 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Senator Clifford P. Case ran for re-election to a fifth term in office, narrowly losing the Republican primary by anti-tax conservative Jeff Bell, who lost the general election to Democrat Bill Bradley. Bell was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for this seat again in 2014.

Primary elections were held on June 6, 1978. This was the first time Democrats won this seat since 1936, and the first time since 1938 that Democrats held both seats in the state.

Candidates

 * Jeff Bell, political aide and speechwriter for Ronald Reagan's 1976 presidential campaign
 * Clifford P. Case, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results
[[File:1978 United States Senate Republican primary election in New Jersey results map by county.svg|thumb|center|280px|Republican primary results by county {{legend|#f9d440|Bell}}

{{legend|#f9d440|50-60%}}

{{legend|#f4c200|60–70%}} {{legend|#e27f7f|Case}}

{{legend|#e27f7f|50–60%}}

{{legend|#d75d5d|60–70%}} ]]

Candidates

 * Wesley K. Bell, former Mayor of Stafford Township
 * Bill Bradley, former professional basketball player
 * Richard Leone, former New Jersey State Treasurer
 * Alexander J. Menza, State Senator from Hillside
 * Kenneth C. McCarthy
 * Ray Rollinson

Results
[[File:1978 United States Senate Democratic primary election in New Jersey results map by county.svg|thumb|center|280px|Democratic primary results by county {{legend|#7996e2ff|Bradley}}

{{legend|#7996e2ff|50–60%}}

{{legend|#6674deff|60–70%}}

{{legend|#584cdeff|70–80%}} {{legend|#5bc75b|Leone}}

{{legend|#87de87|40–50%}} ]]

Candidates

 * Jeff Bell, political aide and speechwriter for Ronald Reagan's 1976 presidential campaign (Republican)
 * Robert Bowen (Labor)
 * Bill Bradley, former professional basketball player (Democratic)
 * J.M. Carter (God We Trust)
 * Alice Conner (Socialist Workers)
 * Bill Gahres (Down With Lawyers)
 * Paul Ferguson (Socialist Labor)
 * Jasper C. Gould (Independent)
 * Jack Moyers (Libertarian)
 * Herbert H. Shaw, perennial candidate (Politicians are Crooks)
 * William R. Thorn (Independent)

Polling

 * with Case
 * with Bell