2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 6, 2018, to elect the 12 U.S. representatives from the state of New Jersey, one from each of the state's 12 congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

Democrats won four seats from Republicans and changed control from 7–5 for Democrats to 11–1 for Democrats, the fewest seats Republicans had won in the state since 1912. This was the first time since the 1912 elections that Republicans failed to hold any seat in North Jersey.

However, Representative Jeff Van Drew of the 2nd district would later change his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican in December 2019, bringing it down to 10–2.

By district
Results of the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey by district:

District 1
The 1st district is based in South Jersey and includes most of Camden County along with parts of Burlington County and Gloucester County. Incumbent Democrat Donald Norcross, who had represented the district since 2014, ran for reelection. He was reelected with 60% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+13.

Nominee

 * Donald Norcross, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Robert Lee Carlson
 * Scot John Tomaszewski

Candidates

 * Paul Dilks

District 2
The 2nd district is based in South Jersey and is the biggest Congressional District in the state. It includes all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem Counties and parts of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Ocean counties. Incumbent Republican Frank LoBiondo, who had represented the district since 1995, announced in November 2017 that he would not run for re-election in 2018 making the 2nd an open seat. He was re-elected with 59% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+1.

Nominee

 * Seth Grossman, attorney, former Atlantic County Freeholder and candidate for governor in 2013

Eliminated in primary

 * Sam Fiocchi, former state assembly member
 * Hirsh Singh, aerospace engineer and candidate for governor in 2017
 * Robert Turkavage, former FBI agent and independent candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012

Withdrawn

 * Brian T. Fitzherbert, defense contractor, project manager, engineer
 * Mark McGovern, activist
 * James Toto, Somers Point City Council member
 * John Zarych, attorney

Declined

 * Chris A. Brown, state senator
 * Don Guardian, former Mayor of Atlantic City
 * Frank LoBiondo, incumbent U.S. Representative
 * Vincent J. Polistina, former state assembly member
 * Mike Torrissi, Hammonton Town Council member

Democratic primary
This was one of 80 Republican-held House districts targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.

Nominee

 * Jeff Van Drew, state senator

Eliminated in primary

 * William Cunningham, former aide to U.S. Senator Cory Booker
 * Nathan Kleinman, farmer and activist
 * Tanzie Youngblood, retired teacher

Withdrawn

 * Sean Thom, school administrator

Campaign
A month after the primaries, the National Republican Congressional Committee withdrew its support of Grossman, following the news that he had posted an article from the white nationalist website American Renaissance on his Facebook page stating that blacks represented "a threat to all who cross their paths, black and non-black alike." Grossman responded that he had not carefully read the article that he had posted in 2014 and did not believe its racist sentiments, although in explaining his actions he said many black teenagers are violent and dangerous. Grossman also posted comments that criticized "multi-culturalism" and "diversity".

District 3
The 3rd district is based in South Jersey and includes parts of Burlington and Ocean counties. Incumbent Republican Tom MacArthur, who had represented the district since 2015, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 59% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+2.

Nominee

 * Tom MacArthur, incumbent U.S. Representative

Democratic primary
This was one of 80 Republican-held House districts targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.

Nominee

 * Andy Kim, former United States National Security Council official and former diplomat

Withdrawn

 * Rich Dennison, attorney, funeral home director, and nominee for the state senate (LD-7) in 2007 (died on January 22, 2018)
 * Katherine Hartman, attorney

Declined

 * John G. Ducey, mayor of Brick
 * Pamela Rosen Lampitt, state assembly member
 * Betsy Ryan, president and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association
 * Troy Singleton, state senator

Results
The close result required a recount, with Kim ultimately winning by 3,973 votes.

District 4
The 4th district is based in Central Jersey and includes parts of Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties. Incumbent Republican Chris Smith, who had represented the district since 1981, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 64% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+8.

Nominee

 * Chris Smith, incumbent U.S. Representative

Nominee

 * Joshua Welle, Navy veteran

Eliminated in primary

 * Jim Keady, former Asbury Park Council member and candidate for the 3rd district in 2016

Withdrawn

 * Mike Keeling, music teacher

Declined

 * Kelly Stewart Maer, party operative

Results
Smith's showing of 55% was his lowest since 1982, when he defeated Joseph P. Merlino 53% to 47%.

District 5
The 5th district is based in North Jersey and includes parts of Bergen, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties. Incumbent Democrat Josh Gottheimer, who had represented the district since 2017, ran for re-election. He was elected with 51% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+3.

Nominee

 * Josh Gottheimer, incumbent U.S. Representative

Nominee

 * John McCann, attorney and former Cresskill Borough Council member

Eliminated in primary

 * Steve Lonegan, former mayor of Bogota, candidate for Governor in 2005 & 2009, for the 3rd District in 2014 and nominee for the 9th District in 1998 and for Senate in 2013

Declined

 * Robert Auth, state assembly member
 * Lou Dobbs, conservative political commentator, author, and television host
 * Michael J. Doherty, state senator
 * Scott Garrett, former U.S. Representative
 * Michael Ghassali, mayor of Montvale
 * Steve Oroho, state senator
 * Sam Raia, former mayor of Saddle River and former chair of the New Jersey Republican State Committee
 * Jason Sarnoski, Warren County Freeholder
 * Holly Schepisi, state assembly member
 * Chuck Shotmeyer, businessman
 * Parker Space, state assembly member
 * Harold J. Wirths, state assembly member, former commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and former Sussex County Freeholder

District 6
The 6th district is based in Central Jersey and includes parts of Middlesex and Monmouth counties. Incumbent Democrat Frank Pallone, who had represented the district since 1988, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 64% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+9.

Nominee

 * Frank Pallone, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Javahn Walker

Nominee

 * Richard Pezzullo, businessman and candidate for Senate in 2014

District 7
The 7th district includes all of Hunterdon County, and parts of Essex, Morris, Somerset, Union, and Warren Counties. Incumbent Republican Leonard Lance, who had represented the district since 2009, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 54% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+3.

Nominee

 * Leonard Lance, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Lindsay Brown, web developer

Declined

 * Rosemary Becchi, attorney
 * Craig Heard, marketing consultant and candidate for this seat in 2016

Democratic primary
This was one of 80 Republican-held House districts targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.

Three Democrats were on the Democratic primary ballot. They included former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Tom Malinowski; lawyer Goutam Jois; and social worker Peter Jacob. Green Party of New Jersey member Diane Moxley also announced her intent to run for the seat. Westfield teacher and attorney Lisa Mandelblatt withdrew in February 2017, as did Scotch Plains lawyer Scott Salmon. The Democratic County Parties in New Jersey's 7th District unanimously threw their support to Malinowski, and he received the county line for the June 5 primary in all counties.

Nominee

 * Tom Malinowski, former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

Eliminated in primary

 * Peter Jacob, social worker and nominee in 2016
 * Goutam Jois, attorney

Withdrawn

 * Lisa Mandelblatt, teacher and attorney (withdrew February 2018, endorsed Malinowski)
 * David Pringle, environmental activist
 * Scott Salmon, attorney (withdrew February 2018, endorsed Malinowski)
 * Linda Weber, bank executive

Declined

 * Christine Lui Chen, neuroscientist, healthcare executive and nominee for state senate (LD-23) in 2017
 * Zenon Christodoulou, businessman and vice chair of the Somerset County Democratic Party
 * Bill Knox, wealth management specialist
 * Colleen Mahr, mayor of Fanwood
 * Keiona Miller, North Plainfield Borough Council member
 * Kurt Perhach, teacher and Army prosecutor

Results
Malinowski won the Democratic nomination in the June primary.

District 8
The 8th district is based in North Jersey and includes parts of Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Incumbent Democrat Albio Sires, who had represented the district since 2006, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 77% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+27.

Nominee

 * Albio Sires, incumbent U.S. Representative

Nominee

 * John Muniz

District 9
The 9th district is based in North Jersey and includes parts of Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties. Incumbent Democrat Bill Pascrell, who had represented the district since 1997, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 70% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+16.

Nominee

 * Bill Pascrell Jr., incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * William Henry

Nominee

 * Eric Fisher

District 10
The 10th district is based in North Jersey and includes parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Incumbent Democrat Donald Payne Jr., who had represented the district since 2012, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 86% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+36.

Nominee

 * Donald Payne Jr., incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

 * Aaron Fraser

Nominee

 * Agha Khan

District 11
The 11th district is based in North Jersey and includes parts of Essex, Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties. Incumbent Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen, who had represented the district since 1995, announced in January 2018 that he will not seek re-election. He was re-elected with 58% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+3.

Nominee

 * Jay Webber, state assembly member and former chair of the New Jersey Republican State Committee

Eliminated in primary

 * Peter De Neufville, former executive chairman of Voltaix, Inc.
 * Antony Ghee, JAG officer, investment banker, and attorney
 * Martin Hewitt, attorney
 * Patrick S Allocco, concert promoter and political campaign operative

Declined

 * Kate Whitman Annis, daughter of former governor Christine Todd Whitman and candidate for the 7th district in 2008
 * Rosemary Becchi, attorney and former U.S. Senate Finance Committee staff member
 * Justin Bozonelis, investment banker
 * Tony Bucco, state assembly member (endorsed Jay Webber)
 * Joe Caruso, businessman
 * Kristin Corrado, state senator (endorsed Antony Ghee)
 * BettyLou DeCroce, state assembly assembly member (endorsed Antony Ghee)
 * Rodney Frelinghuysen, incumbent U.S. Representative
 * Jim Gannon, Morris County Sheriff
 * Jerry Langer, trucking company executive
 * Nick Mangold, former Jets center
 * Tom Mastrangelo, Morris County Freeholder
 * Paul Miller, car dealer
 * Christine Myers, Morris County Freeholder
 * Kevin J. O'Toole, chair of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and former state senator
 * Joseph Pennacchio, state senator
 * Sylvia Petillo, Sussex County Freeholder Deputy Director (endorsed Antony Ghee)
 * Nicolas Platt, Harding Township Committeeman
 * Steve Rogers, Nutley Commissioner of Public Affairs and candidate for governor in 2017

Democratic primary
This was one of 80 Republican-held House districts targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.

Nominee

 * Mikie Sherrill, retired Navy helicopter pilot and former federal prosecutor

Eliminated in primary

 * Mitchell Cobert, attorney
 * Jack Gebbia, Army National Guard veteran
 * Tamara Harris, divorce coach and college instructor
 * Mark Washburne, County College of Morris professor

Withdrawn

 * John Bartlett, Passaic County Freeholder (running for re-election)

Declined

 * Al Anthony, Livingston Township Councilman and former mayor of Livingston
 * Keith Kazmark, mayor of Woodland Park
 * John F. McKeon, state assembly member
 * Mike Venezia, mayor of Bloomfield

District 12
The 12th district is based in Central Jersey and includes parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties. The district is known for its research centers and educational institutions such as Princeton University, Institute for Advanced Study, Johnson & Johnson and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Incumbent Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman, who had represented the district since 2015, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 63% of the vote in 20. The district had a PVI of +.

Nominee

 * Bonnie Watson Coleman, incumbent U.S. Representative

Nominee

 * Daryl Kipnis, attorney and nominee for state senate (LD-17) in 2017