1996 United States Senate election in New Jersey

The 1996 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Bradley decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. The seat was won by Democratic congressman Robert Torricelli.

Candidates

 * Robert Torricelli, U.S. Representative from Englewood

Declined

 * Rob Andrews, U.S. Representative from Bellmawr
 * Bill Bradley, incumbent Senator since 1979 (declined August 17, 1995)
 * Ray Lesniak, State Senator from Elizabeth
 * Jim McGreevey, State Senator and mayor of Woodbridge
 * Bob Menendez, U.S. Representative from Union City (declined October 21, 1995)

Campaign
Senator Bill Bradley announced on August 17, 1995 that he would not stand for a fourth term.

Initial speculation in the Democratic Party centered on two North Jersey congressmen, Robert Torricelli and Robert Menendez. Torricelli, who had over $1.2 million in campaign funds on hand and had been contacting key players for several weeks in anticipation that Bradley would retire, immediately issued a statement claiming several prominent party members had urged him to run for the seat.

Menendez, who had roughly $165,000 in funds, likewise issued a statement that he would give the race "serious consideration" and "look at it in terms of what's in the best interest of the party and the state." Menendez's decision was further complicated by the fact that Torricelli's district also included part of Hudson County, and many local politicians immediately endorsed Torricelli. In September, he requested that Hudson County politicians refrain from taking sides, given the potential for a competitive primary. Menendez ultimately announced he would not challenge Torricelli in October 1995, fueling immediate speculation that he would campaign for Governor in 1997.

Candidates

 * Richard DuHaime, Passaic County Freeholder
 * Dick LaRossa, State Senator from Ewing
 * Dick Zimmer, U.S. Representative from Delaware Township

Declined

 * Michael Chertoff, former United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey
 * Thomas Kean, former Governor
 * Marge Roukema, U.S. Representative from Ridgewood
 * Bret Schundler, mayor of Jersey City

Campaign
Zimmer announced his campaign before Bradley's announced retirement and was the front-runner from the start, getting endorsements from Republican leaders across the state, including Governor Christine Todd Whitman. Bradley's retirement shook up the race, as several serious contenders, including the popular former Governor Thomas Kean, reconsidered whether to run.

Both DuHaime, a pro-life candidate, and La Rossa, a pro-gun candidate, attempted to portray Zimmer as too liberal, but Zimmer largely ignored his opponents and won the primary easily.

Candidates

 * Robert Torricelli, U.S. Representative from Englewood (Democratic)
 * Dick Zimmer, U.S. Representative from Delaware Township (Republican)

Campaign
Democratic U.S. Representative Robert Torricelli won his party's primary unopposed, and Republican U.S. Representative Dick Zimmer won his party's nomination easily. Torricelli defeated Zimmer in the general election by 10 points, while President Bill Clinton simultaneously carried New Jersey by almost 18% in his reelection bid. Third-party and independent candidates carried 4.8% of the vote.

Like other Democratic candidates around the country, Torricelli tried to tie "Zig-Zag Zimmer" to House Speaker Newt Gingrich and attacked him for flip flopping on his positions on issues like Medicare, gun control and an increase in the minimum wage during the campaign. Zimmer tried to cast his opponent as a tax-and-spend liberal with ethical flaws. Military morale was also a part of the campaign.