1986 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

1986 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)
All 14 New Jersey seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Last election 8 6 Seats won 8 6 Seat change Popular vote 811,066 730,596 Percentage 52.2% 47.0% Swing 1.8 2.2
District results Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   90–100% Republican   60–70%   70–80%

Elections in New Jersey
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The 1986 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 8, 1986, to determine who would represent the people of New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives. This election coincided with national elections for U.S. House and U.S. Senate. New Jersey had fourteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1980 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms.

All incumbents were re-elected to their seats.

1986 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey[1]
Party		Votes	Percentage	Candidates	Seats	+/–
	Democratic	811,066	52.21%	14	8
	Republican	730,596	47.03%	13	6
	Socialist Workers	1,977	0.13%	1	0
	Libertarian	931	0.06%	1	0
	Independents	8,974	0.58%	5	0
Totals		1,553,544	100.00%	34	14

1986 New Jersey's 1st congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee James Florio Fred Busch Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 93,497 29,175 Percentage 75.6% 23.6%

U.S. Representative before election James Florio Democratic Elected U.S. Representative James Florio Democratic

Incumbent Democrat James Florio won. The district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.

• James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975
• Charles W. Kahler

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James Florio (incumbent)	22,581	95.70%
	Democratic	Charles W. Kahler	1,015	4.30%
Total votes			23,596	100.00%

• Fred A. Busch

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Fred A. Busch	7,537	100.00%
Total votes			7,537	100.00%

• Fred A. Busch (Republican)
• James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Republican)
• Jerry Zeldin (Libertarian)

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	James Florio (incumbent)	93,497	75.64%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	Fred A. Busch	29,175	23.60%
	Libertarian	Jerry Zeldin	931	0.75%
Total votes			123,603	100.00%
Turnout			126,584	47.72%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 2nd congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee William J. Hughes Alfred Bennington Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 83,821 35,167 Percentage 68.3% 28.6%

U.S. Representative before election William J. Hughes Democratic Elected U.S. Representative William J. Hughes Democratic

Incumbent William J. Hughes won. This district, the largest in South Jersey, included all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties and parts of Gloucester County.

• William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975
• Robert Wesser

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William J. Hughes (incumbent)	12,113	95.11%
	Democratic	Robert Wesser	623	4.89%
Total votes			12,736	100.00%

• Alfred J. Bennington Jr., Northfield lawyer^[4]

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Alfred J. Bennington Jr.	13,315	100.00%
Total votes			13,315	100.00%

• Alfred J. Bennington Jr., Northfield lawyer^[4] (Republican)
• William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
• Len Smith (Pro Life, Anti-Abortion)

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	William J. Hughes (incumbent)	83,821	68.26%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	Alfred J. Bennington Jr.	35,167	28.64%
	Independent	Len Smith	3,812	3.10%
Total votes			122,800	100.00%
Turnout			129,479	47.79%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 3rd congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee James J. Howard Brian T. Kennedy Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 73,743 51,882 Percentage 58.7% 41.3%

U.S. Representative before election James J. Howard Democratic Elected U.S. Representative James J. Howard Democratic

Incumbent Democrat James J. Howard won.

This district included parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties.

• James J. Howard, incumbent Representative since 1965
• Jeanne Martines

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James J. Howard (incumbent)	11,684	95.22%
	Democratic	Jeanne Martines	586	4.78%
Total votes			12,270	100.00%

• Brian T. Kennedy, former state senator from Sea Girt and nominee for this district in 1984^[5]

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Brian T. Kennedy	12,431	100.00%
Total votes			12,431	100.00%

• James J. Howard, incumbent Representative since 1965 (Democratic)
• Brian T. Kennedy, former state senator from Sea Girt and nominee for this district in 1984^[5] (Republican)

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	James J. Howard (incumbent)	73,743	58.70%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	Brian T. Kennedy	51,882	41.30%
Total votes			125,625	100.00%
Turnout			129,110	45.06%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 4th congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee Chris Smith Jeffrey Laurenti Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 78,699 49,290 Percentage 61.1% 38.3%

U.S. Representative before election Chris Smith Republican Elected U.S. Representative Chris Smith Republican

Incumbent Republican Chris Smith won. This district, in Central Jersey, consisted of parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties.

• Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Smith (incumbent)	8,008	100.00%
Total votes			8,008	100.00%

• Stephen A. Koczak
• Jeffrey Laurenti, former executive director of the New Jersey Senate Democratic majority and candidate for this district in 1984^[4]

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jeffrey Laurenti	10,649	88.39%
	Democratic	Stephen A. Koczak	1,399	11.61%
Total votes			12,048	100.00%

• Earl G. Dickey (Stop Financing Communism)
• Jeffrey Laurenti, former executive director of the New Jersey Senate Democratic majority^[4] (Democratic)
• Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981 (Republican)

The fourth district campaign was considered the bitterest of the election cycle.^[4]

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Chris Smith (incumbent)	78,699	61.11%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	Jeffrey Laurenti	49,290	38.28%
	Independent	Earl G. Dickey	789	0.61%
Total votes			128,778	100.00%
Turnout			132,360	45.35%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 5th congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee Marge Roukema H. Vernon Jolley Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 85,949 40,499 Percentage 68.0% 32.0%

U.S. Representative before election Marge Roukema Republican Elected U.S. Representative Marge Roukema Republican

Incumbent Marge Roukema won. This district included parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties.

• William B. Grant, businessman, former member of the Montclair Township Commission and nominee for the eleventh district in 1974^[6]
• Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981

Grant challenged Roukema over fiscal issues, primarily her opposition to the Reagan administration's increased defense spending, arguing that his candidacy "[gave] Republican voters in the fifth district a choice between someone who supports the president on rebuilding national defense and someone who votes with the majority of Democrats against the majority of Republicans."^[6] He also criticized her vote in favor of the Boland Amendment, which restricted funding for the Nicaraguan Contra rebels and said he would have opposed the Gramm–Rudman–Hollings Balanced Budget Act and cuts to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments instead sought to reduce the deficit through domestic spending cuts, including the liquidation of the Amtrak passenger rail system.^[6]

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Marge Roukema (incumbent)	15,048	74.97%
	Republican	William B. Grant	5,023	25.03%
Total votes			20,071	100.00%

• Denise A. Ham, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• H. Vernon Jolley, Oradell lawyer^[4]

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	H. Vernon Jolley	6,353	83.37%
	Democratic	Denise A. Ham	1,267	16.63%
Total votes			7,620	100.00%

• H. Vernon Jolley, Oradell lawyer^[4] (Democratic)
• Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981 (Republican)

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Marge Roukema (incumbent)	85,949	68.00%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	H. Vernon Jolley	40,449	32.00%
Total votes			126,398	100.00%
Turnout			134,220	46.32%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 6th congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee Bernard J. Dwyer John Scalamonti Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 67,460 28,286 Percentage 69.0% 28.9%

U.S. Representative before election Bernard J. Dwyer Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Bernard J. Dwyer Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Bernard J. Dwyer won. This district included parts of Middlesex, Monmouth and Union counties.

• Anne DeGennaro
• Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bernard J. Dwyer (incumbent)	20,918	87.53%
	Democratic	Anne DeGennaro	2,981	12.47%
Total votes			23,899	100.00%

• John D. Scalamonti
• Ernest L. Oros, member of the Woodbridge Township Council^[7]

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John D. Scalamonti	2,439	58.63%
	Republican	Ernest L. Oros	1,721	41.37%
Total votes			4,160	100.00%

• Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981 (Democratic)
• Rose Zeidwerg Monyek ("Inflation Fighting Housewife")
• John D. Scalamonti (Republican)

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Bernard J. Dwyer (incumbent)	67,460	69.00%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	John D. Scalamonti	28,286	28.93%
	Independent	Rose Zeidwerg Monyek	2,023	2.07%
Total votes			97,769	100.00%
Turnout			103,110	37.54%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 7th congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee Matt Rinaldo June Fischer Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 92,254 24,462 Percentage 79.0% 21.0%

U.S. Representative before election Matt Rinaldo Republican Elected U.S. Representative Matt Rinaldo Republican

Incumbent Matt Rinaldo won. This district included parts of Essex, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties.

• Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Matt Rinaldo (incumbent)	10,541	100.00%
Total votes			10,541	100.00%

• James J. Cleary, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• June S. Fischer, member of the Democratic National Committee^[8]

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	June S. Fischer	9,799	86.41%
	Democratic	James J. Cleary	1,541	13.59%
Total votes			11,340	100.00%

• June S. Fischer, member of the Democratic National Committee^[8] (Democratic)
• Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973 (Republican)

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Matt Rinaldo (incumbent)	92,254	79.04%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	June S. Fischer	24,462	20.96%
Total votes			116,716	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 8th congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee Robert A. Roe Thomas Zampino Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 57,820 34,269 Percentage 62.8% 37.2%

U.S. Representative before election Robert A. Roe Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Robert A. Roe Democratic

Incumbent Robert Roe won without opposition. This district included parts of Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties.

• Arthur Fairchild, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Robert A. Roe (incumbent)	13,782	95.76%
	Democratic	Arthur Fairchild	610	4.24%
Total votes			14,392	100.00%

• Ronald Ruise
• Thomas P. Zampino, Belleville lawyer^[9]

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Thomas P. Zampino	6,699	85.19%
	Republican	Ronald Ruise	1,165	14.81%
Total votes			7,864	100.00%

• Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969 (Democratic)
• Thomas P. Zampino, Belleville lawyer^[9] (Republican)

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert A. Roe (incumbent)	57,820	62.79%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	Thomas P. Zampino	34,269	37.21%
Total votes			92,089	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 9th congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee Bob Torricelli Arthur F. Jones Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 89,634 40,226 Percentage 69.0% 31.0%

U.S. Representative before election Bob Torricelli Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Bob Torricelli Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Bob Torricelli won. This district consisted of parts of Bergen and Hudson counties.

• Elliot Greenspan, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Robert G. Torricelli (incumbent)	14,201	96.47%
	Democratic	Elliot Greenspan	520	3.53%
Total votes			14,721	100.00%

• Arthur F. Jones, Bergen County Freeholder^[4]

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Arthur F. Jones	6,265	100.00%
Total votes			6,265	100.00%

• Arthur F. Jones, Bergen County Freeholder^[4] (Republican)
• Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983 (Democratic)

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Bob Torricelli (incumbent)	89,634	69.02%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	Arthur F. Jones	40,226	30.98%
Total votes			129,860	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 10th congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee Peter W. Rodino Chris Brandlon Party Democratic Socialist Workers Popular vote 46,666 1,977 Percentage 95.9% 4.1%

U.S. Representative before election Peter W. Rodino Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Peter W. Rodino Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Peter W. Rodino won. The district included parts of Essex and Union counties.

• A. Pearl Hart, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• Arthur S. Jones
• Donald M. Payne, member of the Newark City Council and candidate for this district in 1980
• Peter W. Rodino, incumbent Representative since 1949

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Peter W. Rodino (incumbent)	25,138	59.50%
	Democratic	Donald M. Payne	15,216	35.80%
	Democratic	A. Pearl Hart	967	2.29%
	Democratic	Arthur S. Jones	931	2.20%
Total votes			42,252	100.00%

• Alvin K. Terry

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Alvin K. Terry	1,939	100.00%
Total votes			1,939	100.00%

After the primary, Terry withdrew his name from the general election ballot.^[10]

• Chris Brandlon (Socialist Workers)
• Peter W. Rodino, incumbent Representative since 1949 (Democratic)

• Alvin K. Terry^[10] (Republican)

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Peter W. Rodino (incumbent)	46,666	95.94%	{{{change}}}
	Socialist Workers	Chris Brandlon	1,977	4.06%
Total votes			48,643	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 11th congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee Dean Gallo Frank Askin Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 75,037 35,280 Percentage 68.0% 32.0%

U.S. Representative before election Dean Gallo Republican Elected U.S. Representative Dean Gallo Republican

Incumbent Republican Dean Gallo won. This district consisted of parts of Essex, Morris, Sussex and Warren counties.

• Dean Gallo, incumbent Representative since 1985
• Kevin E. Reid

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Dean Gallo (incumbent)	14,806	86.73%
	Republican	Kevin E. Reid	2,266	13.27%
Total votes			17,072	100.00%

• Frank Askin, West Orange attorney and civil rights activist^[4]
• Mary Frueholz, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank Askin	10,399	88.99%
	Democratic	Mary Frueholz	1,287	11.01%
Total votes			11,686	100.00%

• Frank Askin, West Orange attorney and civil rights activist^[4] (Democratic)
• Dean Gallo, incumbent Representative since 1985 (Republican)

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Dean Gallo (incumbent)	75,037	68.02%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	Frank Askin	35,280	31.98%
Total votes			110,317	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 12th congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee Jim Courter David Crabiel Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 72,966 41,967 Percentage 63.5% 36.5%

U.S. Representative before election Jim Courter Republican Elected U.S. Representative Jim Courter Republican

Incumbent Republican Jim Courter won. This sprawling district included all of Hunterdon County and parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties.

• Jim Courter, incumbent Representative since 1979

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Courter (incumbent)	15,037	100.00%
Total votes			15,037	100.00%

• David Crabiel, Middlesex County Freeholder and candidate for the fourth district in 1974
• Richard Forbes, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	David Crabiel	7,774	82.80%
	Democratic	Richard Forbes	1,615	17.20%
Total votes			9,389	100.00%

• David Crabiel, Middlesex County Freeholder and candidate for the fourth district in 1974 (Democratic)
• Jim Courter, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Republican)

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Courter (incumbent)	72,966	63.49%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	David Crabiel	41,967	36.51%
Total votes			114,933	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 13th congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee Jim Saxton John Wydra Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 82,866 43,920 Percentage 65.4% 34.6%

U.S. Representative before election Jim Saxton Republican Elected U.S. Representative Jim Saxton Republican

Incumbent Republican Jim Saxton won. This district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.

• Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative since 1984

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Saxton (incumbent)	16,928	100.00%
Total votes			16,928	100.00%

• Eugene Allan Creech
• Charles M. Grigley, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• John Wydra, Cherry Hill radio newscaster^[4]

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Wydra	10,042	91.35%
	Democratic	Charles M. Grigley	680	6.19%
	Democratic	Eugene Allan Creech	271	2.47%
Total votes			10,993	100.00%

• Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative since 1984 (Republican)
• John Wydra, Cherry Hill radio newscaster^[4] (Democratic)

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Saxton (incumbent)	82,866	65.36%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	John Wydra	43,920	34.64%
Total votes			126,786	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

1986 New Jersey's 14th congressional district election

November 4, 1986 (1986-11-04)

Nominee Frank Guarini Albio Sires Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 63,057 23,822 Percentage 70.7% 26.7%

U.S. Representative before election Frank J. Guarini Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Frank J. Guarini Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Frank J. Guarini won. This district included parts Hudson County.

• Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979
• Herbert D. Smith, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
• Marie R. Vaughan

1986 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank J. Guarini (incumbent)	30,043	87.42%
	Democratic	Marie R. Vaughan	3,844	11.19%
	Democratic	Herbert D. Smith	479	1.39%
Total votes			34,366	100.00%

• Octavio Alfonso
• Albio Sires, Memorial High School teacher

1986 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Albio Sires	3,203	56.96%
	Republican	Octavio Alonso	2,420	43.04%
Total votes			5,623	100.00%

• Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Democratic)
• William Link ("Let Freedom Ring")
• Herbert Shaw, perennial candidate (Port Authority = Crooks)
• Albio Sires, Memorial High School teacher (Republican)

In part to aid Sires, the National Republican Committee funded a $20,000 Hispanic voter registration drive in the district.^[10]

1986 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Frank J. Guarini (incumbent)	63,057	70.67%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	Albio Sires	23,822	26.70%
	Independent	Herbert Shaw	1,825	2.05%
	Independent	William Link	525	0.59%
Total votes			89,229	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

In 1995, Sires was elected mayor of West New York as an independent before switching to the Democratic Party. He was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1999 and represented the equivalent of this district in Congress from a 2006 special election until leaving office in 2023. In the 2006 race, Sires ironically defeated a Republican named John J. Guarini.