1981 New Jersey Senate election

The 1981 New Jersey State Senate elections were held on November 3. The New Jersey legislature reapportioned its state legislative districts in advance of the 1981 election. The new districts resulted in many senators running for re-election in newly re-numbered districts. The election coincided with a tightly contested gubernatorial election between Thomas Kean and James Florio. Republicans gained five seats, narrowing the Democratic majority to 22-18.

A Federal Bureau of Investigation investigation resulted in the retirements of Senators Joseph A. Maressa and Angelo Errichetti, both of whom accepted bribes from the FBI under the guise of Arab oil sheikhs. Errichetti was convicted; Maressa was not prosecuted but opted to retire.

Democratic

 * Joseph A. Maressa (District 4)
 * Angelo Errichetti (District 5)
 * Charles B. Yates (District 7)
 * Joseph P. Merlino (District 13) (ran for governor)
 * William J. Hamilton (District 17) (ran for governor)
 * Frank J. Dodd (District 26) (ran for governor)
 * James A. Galdieri (District 32)

Republican

 * James Cafiero (District 1)
 * Barry T. Parker (District 8) (ran for governor)
 * James Wallwork (District 25) (ran for governor)

Close races
Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:


 * 1) District 30, 1.7%
 * 2) District 33, 3.2%
 * 3) District 2, 3.4%
 * 4) District 21, 3.8%
 * 5) District 18, 4.2%
 * 6) District 38, 4.5%
 * 7) District 20, 4.6%
 * 8) District 34, 5.4%
 * 9) District 1, 7.6%

District 1
The first district consisted of all of Cape May County and the Cumberland municipalities of Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Upper Deerfield, Deerfield, and Maurice River. Prior to redistricting, it had contained all of Cumberland County.

Incumbent Senator James Cafiero retired.

Candidates

 * James R. Hurley, Assemblyman from Millville (Regular Organization Republican-Pat Kramer Team)

Candidates

 * Edward H. Salmon, Cumberland County Freeholder and former mayor of Millville (Sound Off for South Jersey)

Candidates

 * James R. Hurley, Assemblyman from Millville (Republican)
 * Edward H. Salmon, Cumberland County Freeholder and former mayor of Millville (Democratic)

District 2
The second district consisted of Atlantic County except for the municipalities of Folsom, Buena, and Buena Vista, which were removed in redistricting. Redistricting also removed Bass River and Washington in Burlington County and Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor in Ocean County.

Candidates

 * Richard "Reds" Lavin, labor organizer and state government liaison for the Atlantic City Department of Parks and Public Property (The Alternative)
 * Steven Perskie, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Endorsed By Atlantic County Democratic Convention)

Candidates

 * Joseph McGahn, former Democratic Senator (Regular Republican)

Candidates

 * Joseph McGahn, former Democratic Senator (Republican)
 * Steven Perskie, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Raymond Zane, incumbent Senator (Regular Democratic Organization)

Candidates

 * D. Paul McMahon Jr., owner of a Woodbury electrical contracting firm

Candidates

 * D. Paul McMahon Jr., owner of a Woodbury electrical contracting firm (Republican)
 * Raymond Zane, incumbent Senator (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Daniel J. Dalton, Assemblyman from Laurel Springs (Regular Democratic Organization)
 * Kenneth A. Gewertz, former Assemblyman from Deptford Township (Regular Democrat Organization)

This primary was a rematch of the 1979 Assembly election, in which Dalton and running mate Dennis L. Riley, who ran with the support of Congressman Jim Florio, unseated Gewertz and Francis J. Gorman, who had the support of Camden mayor and State Senator Angelo Errichetti. Each candidate had the support of their respective county party; Dalton in Camden and Gewertz in Gloucester.

Candidates

 * Connie B. Roggio, Gloucester Township councilwoman (Regular Republican Organization)
 * Frank B. Smith (Organization of Regular Republicans)

Candidates

 * Daniel J. Dalton (Democratic)
 * Frank B. Smith (Republican)

Candidates
Unlike the neighboring fourth district, both Assemblymen Rand and Schuck were considered allies of Errichetti and shared a legislative office. Their friendly relations were maintained throughout a "kid-gloves" campaign, despite the close margin.
 * Walter Rand, Assemblyman from Camden (Regular Democratic Organization)
 * Ernest F. Schuck, Assemblyman from Barrington (Camden County Democrat Organization)

Ultimately, Florio struck an alliance with Rand which propelled him over the top as Florio ran up large numbers in the gubernatorial race.

Candidates

 * John H. Lyons Jr. (Regular Republican Organization of Camden County)

Candidates

 * John H. Lyons Jr. (Republican)
 * Walter Rand, Assemblyman from Camden (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Lee Laskin, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Organization of Regular Republicans)

Candidates

 * James Greenberg (Regular Democratic Organization)

Candidates

 * James Greenberg (Democratic)
 * Lee Laskin, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)

Candidates

 * Herman T. Costello, Assemblyman from Burlington and mayor of Burlington since 1964 (Regular Democratic Organization)

Candidates

 * Michael J. Conda (Regular Republican Organization)

Candidates

 * Michael J. Conda (Republican)
 * Herman T. Costello, Assemblyman from Burlington and mayor of Burlington since 1964 (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Jim Saxton, Assemblyman from Mount Holly (Regular Republican Organization)

Candidates

 * Raymond J. Storck (Regular Democratic Organization)

Candidates

 * Jim Saxton, Assemblyman from Mount Holly (Republican)
 * Raymond J. Storck (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Leonard T. Connors, Ocean County Freeholder and mayor of Surf City since 1966 (Regular Republican Organization of Ocean County)

Candidates

 * Wesley K. Bell, former mayor of Stafford Township and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1978 (Official Regular Democrat Organization)

Candidates

 * Wesley K. Bell, former mayor of Stafford Township and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1978 (Democratic)
 * Leonard T. Connors, Ocean County Freeholder and mayor of Surf City since 1966 (Republican)

District 10
All of the new tenth district had previously been contained within the boundaries of the ninth district in Ocean County. It consisted of Lakewood, Brick, and Toms River, and the shore towns of Lavallette, Mantoloking, Bay Head, Seaside Park, Seaside Heights, Ocean Gate, Point Pleasant Beach, and Point Pleasant.

Candidates

 * John F. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Hazel Gluck, Assemblywoman from Lakewood (Republican)

Candidates

 * Hazel Gluck, Assemblywoman from Lakewood (Republican)
 * John F. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Brian T. Kennedy, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Regular Republican)

Candidates

 * George Callas (Regular Democratic Organization of Monmouth County)

Candidates

 * George Callas (Democratic)
 * Stan Johnson (Citizens)
 * Brian T. Kennedy, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)

Candidates

 * S. Thomas Gagliano, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Regular Republican)

Candidates

 * Roger J. Kane (Regular Democratic Organization of Monmouth County)

Candidates

 * S. Thomas Gagliano, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
 * Roger J. Kane (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Eugene J. Bedell, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Regular Democratic Organization of Monmouth County)

Candidates

 * John P. Gallagher, investment banker and former executive director of the New Jersey Highway Authority (Regular Republican)

Candidates

 * Eugene J. Bedell, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)
 * John P. Gallagher, investment banker and former executive director of the New Jersey Highway Authority (Republican)

Candidates

 * Francis J. McManimon, Assemblyman from Hamilton Township (Regular Democrat Organization)

Candidates

 * Thomas Colitsas

Candidates

 * S. Thomas Gagliano, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
 * Roger J. Kane (Democratic)

District 15
Incumbent Senator Joseph Merlino, who had been redistricted from the 13th district, opted to run for Governor of New Jersey.

Candidates
Sollami had the support of county party chair and power broker Richard J. Coffee.
 * Paul J. Sollami, Mercer County Freeholder (Regular Democratic Organization)
 * Gerald R. Stockman, Assemblyman from Trenton (Regular Organization Democrat)

Candidates

 * Carmen J. Armenti, former Democratic mayor of Trenton

Candidates

 * Carmen J. Armenti, former mayor of Trenton (Republican)
 * Gerald R. Stockman, Assemblyman from Trenton (Democratic)

Candidates

 * John H. Ewing, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Somerset County Republican Organization)

Candidates

 * John F. Guerrera (Regular Democratic Organization)

Candidates

 * John H. Ewing, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
 * John F. Guerrera (Regular Democratic Organization)

Candidates

 * John A. Lynch Jr., mayor of New Brunswick and son of former Senator John A. Lynch (Regular Democratic Organization)

Candidates

 * Donald J. Douglas (Middlesex County Republican Organization, Inc.)
 * John Giammarco (Middlesex County Regular Republican Organization)

Candidates

 * Donald J. Douglas (Republican)
 * Paul Lennon (Citizens)
 * John A. Lynch Jr., mayor of New Brusnwick and son of former Senator John A. Lynch (Democratic)

Candidates

 * James Bornheimer, Assemblyman from East Brunswick (Regular Democratic Organization)
 * Samuel V. Convery Jr. (Responsible Democrat)

Candidates

 * Joseph M. Cooperstein (Middlesex County Republican Organization, Inc.)
 * Peter Garibaldi, former Assemblyman from Monroe Township (Middlesex County Regular Republican Organization)

Candidates

 * James Bornheimer, Assemblyman from East Brunswick (Democratic)
 * Peter Garibaldi, former Assemblyman from Monroe Township (Republican)

Candidates

 * Laurence S. Weiss, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Regular Democratic Organization)

Candidates

 * Edmund S. Kaboski (Middlesex County Republican Organization, Inc.)

Candidates

 * Edmund S. Kaboski (Republican)
 * Laurence S. Weiss, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Democratic)

Candidates

 * John T. Gregorio, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Linden (Regular Democratic Organization of Union County)

Candidates

 * John Fenick (Regular Organization Republican of Union County)

Candidates

 * John Fenick (Republican)
 * John T. Gregorio, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Linden (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Anthony E. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Union Township (Regular Democratic Organization of Union County)

Candidates

 * C. Louis Bassano, Assemblyman from Union Township (Regular Organization Republican of Union County)

Candidates

 * C. Louis Bassano, Assemblyman from Union Township (Republican)
 * Anthony E. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Union Township (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Anthony J. Crincoli (Regular Republican Party)
 * Donald DiFrancesco, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Regular Organization Republican of Union County)

Candidates

 * Frank Fiorito (Democratic PartyOrganization)

Candidates

 * Donald DiFrancesco, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Republican)
 * Frank Fiorito (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Walter Foran, incumbent Senator since 1977 (Regular Republican Organization)

Candidates

 * Samuel J. Gugliemini (Regular Democratic Organization)

Candidates

 * Walter Foran, incumbent Senator since 1977 (Republican)
 * Samuel J. Gugliemini (Democratic)

Candidates
The campaign between Albanese and Dumont was possibly the most bitter in the state. Dumont had supported Albanese in his short-lived campaign for governor, only for Albanese to withdraw from that race and challenge Dumont.
 * Donald J. Albanese, Assemblyman from Belvidere (Conservative Republican)
 * Wayne Dumont, incumbent Senator since 1968 (Regular Republican Organizational Candidate)

Candidates

 * Edward Gaffney (Regular Democratic Party Organization)

Candidates

 * Wayne Dumont, incumbent Senator since 1968 (Republican)
 * Edward Gaffney (Democratic)

Candidates

 * John H. Dorsey, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Regular Republican)

Candidates

 * Horace Chamberlain (Democrat)

Candidates

 * Horace Chamberlain (Democratic)
 * John H. Dorsey, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)

Candidates

 * James P. Vreeland, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Incumbent Republican Senator)

Candidates

 * Benjamin Steltzer (Regular Democrat)

Candidates

 * Benjamin Steltzer (Democratic)
 * James P. Vreeland, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Republican)

Candidates

 * James J. Brown ("Think" Democratic)
 * Richard Codey, Assemblyman from Orange (Democratic Party Organization)
 * Gayle Brody Rosen

Candidates

 * Richard Codey, Assemblyman from Orange (Democratic)
 * Richard E. Koehler (Republican)

Candidates

 * John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Democratic Party—Organization)

Candidates

 * John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Democratic)
 * Herta B. Tully (Republican)

Candidates

 * Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator since 1972 (Democratic Party—Organization)

Candidates

 * Louis J. Smith (Essex Republican Party Organization)

Candidates

 * Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator since 1972 (Democratic)
 * Louis J. Smith (Republican)

Candidates

 * Carmen Orechio, incumbent Senator since 1974 and mayor of Nutley (Democratic Party—Organization)

Candidates

 * John I. Crecco (Essex Republican Party Organization)

Candidates

 * John I. Crecco (Republican)
 * Arthur Kinoy (Citizens)
 * Carmen Orechio, incumbent Senator since 1974 and mayor of Nutley (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Wally Sheil, incumbent Senator since 1978 and president of Hudson County Community College (Regular Democratic Organization)
 * Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (Democratic Solidarity Coalition Team)
 * James J. Richardson

Candidates

 * Jean C. Lane (Regular Republican Organization)

Candidates

 * Jean C. Lane (Republican)
 * Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (Democratic)

Candidates

 * Michael J. Marino, former Assemblyman (Democratic Solidarity Coalition Team)
 * Frank E. Rodgers, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Harrison (Regular Democratic Organization)

Candidates

 * Joseph F. Ward (Regular Republican Organization)

Candidates

 * Frank E. Rodgers, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Harrison (Democratic)
 * Herbert H. Shaw, perennial candidate (Politicians are Crooks)
 * Joseph F. Ward (Republican)