1991 New Jersey General Assembly election

The 1991 New Jersey General Assembly election was held on November 5, 1991.

The elections took place midway through Jim Florio's term as Governor of New Jersey. As in the State Senate elections, the Republican Party won a historic landslide, gaining 21 seats to win control of both chambers of the state legislature. As of 2024, the Republican Assembly majority of 58 seats is the largest for either party since 1973.

Redistricting
As required, the New Jersey legislature redistricted its state legislative districts in advance of the 1991 election. Redistricting was on balance considered to have favored Republicans.

Tax increase
A centerpiece of the Florio administration's legislative agenda was the passage of a $2.8 billion tax increase. Republicans centered their 1991 campaign on opposition to the increase, as did even some incumbent Democrats, such as Senator Paul Contillo.

According to the Florio administration, the tax increase was designed to aid blue-collar workers, who were "also the people most upset by enactment of the taxes."

Gun control
Another major legislative achievement of the Florio administration was a strict gun control measure. The bill's passage led the National Rifle Association of America to spend nearly $250,000 in the 1991 elections targeting candidates in both parties who had voted in favor of the bill and supporting those who pledged to repeal it.

Democratic

 * Anthony S. Marsella (District 4) (ran for State Senate)
 * John Paul Doyle (District 10) (ran for State Senate)
 * David C. Schwartz (District 17)
 * Jim McGreevey (District 19) (lost party support, ran for Mayor of Woodbridge )
 * Michael F. Adubato (District 28)
 * Bob Menendez (District 31) (ran for State Senate)
 * Joseph Mecca (District 34) (ran for State Senate)
 * John Girgenti (District 35) (ran for State Senate)

Additionally, several Democrats resigned their seats late in the 1991 campaign to join the Florio administration, including Joseph D. Patero, Edward H. Salmon, Frank M. Pelly.

Republican

 * Dolores Cooper (District 2) (ran for State Senate as independent, but dropped out )
 * Joe Kyrillos (District 13) (ran for State Senate)
 * Chuck Hardwick (District 21)
 * Bill Schluter (District 23) (redistricted to District 24, ran for State Senate)
 * Louis F. Kosco (District 38) (ran for State Senate)

Summary of races
Voters in each legislative district elect two members to the New Jersey General Assembly.