1994 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey|
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Majority party
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Minority party
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| Party
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Republican
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Democratic
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| Last election
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6
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7
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| Seats won
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8
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5
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| Seat change
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 2
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 2
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| Popular vote
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1,091,251
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879,855
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| Percentage
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54.4%
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43.9%
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| Swing
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4.18pp
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1.41pp
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District results
County results
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Republican
40–50%
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
80–90%
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Democratic
50–60%
60–70%
70–80%
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The 1994 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 8, 1994, 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 thirteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1990 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms.
By flipping the second and eighth districts, Republicans gained a majority in the House delegation for the first time since 1964.[1] These elections were part of a national shift toward the Republican Party in the 1994 elections which has become known as the "Republican Revolution", in which the party won the House for the first time since 1952.
Overview
| 1994 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey[2]
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| Party
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Votes
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Percentage
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Candidates
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Seats
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+/–
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Republican
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1,091,251
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54.42%
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13
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8
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2
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Democratic
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879,855
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43.88%
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13
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5
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2
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Conservative
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6,956
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0.35%
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4
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0
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Natural Law
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3,263
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0.16%
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5
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0
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Libertarian
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2,882
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0.14%
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1
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0
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Socialist Workers
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1,519
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0.08%
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2
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0
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Independents
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19,390
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0.97%
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11
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0
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| Totals
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2,005,116
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100.00%
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49
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13
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—
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District 1
1994 New Jersey's 1st congressional district election|
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Incumbent Democrat Rob Andrews won. The district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
Results
District 2
1994 New Jersey's 2nd congressional district election|
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Incumbent William J. Hughes did not run for re-election to an eleventh term in office. In the open race, Republican Frank LoBiondo easily defeated Louis Magazzu. This district, the largest in South Jersey, included all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties and parts of Burlington and Gloucester counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Ruth Katz
- George N. Lyne
- Louis N. Magazzu, Vineland city solicitor[7]
Declined
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Campaign
Because Hughes was retiring and the district was overwhelmingly conservative and Republican, the Republican primary would likely determine the ultimate victor and was the most closely watched in the state. Frank LoBiondo, an assemblyman, former freeholder, and nominee for this district in 1992, faced off against Bill Gormley, a state senator who had run for governor in 1989 and narrowly survived a primary and general election challenge in 1991.[8]
Gormley, though better known, was more moderate than LoBiondo, who campaigned on his strong opposition to taxes and support for reduction in the scope of the federal government, a platform similar to the one on which Governor Christine Todd Whitman had been elected one year prior.[8] Gormley aides later said that they were concerned that emphasizing conservative positions in the primary would make it difficult for their candidate to return to the middle of the political spectrum for the fall general election.[8]
Former governor Thomas Kean endorsed Gormley and campaigned for him in the final weeks.[8]
Endorsements
Bill Gormley
- State executive branch officials
Results
Kean commented on the result, saying, "I worry about the party ideologically, and I intend to get involved on that side, not on picking candidates. The party has got to get more comfortable with people, including blacks. I think this is the best time to begin addressing some things that are not being addressed."[8]
General election
Candidates
- Frank LoBiondo, assemblyman from Vineland and nominee for this district in 1992 (Republican)
- Louis N. Magazzu, Vineland city solicitor[9] (Democratic)
Campaign
Without Hughes, a popular and relatively conservative Democrat who had held the district since 1974, out of the race, the district was expected to support a Republican candidate. Republicans outnumbered Democrats in the district by about 85,000 to 75,000, with 150,000 unaffiliated voters.[9] However, party chair Tom Byrne cited Bill Clinton's narrow victory in the district in 1992 as evidence that Magazzu could hold the seat.[10]
LoBiondo campaigned on lower taxes, spending cuts, and a reduction of the federal government. Magazzu stressed crime reduction as the main theme of his campaign, including through stricter gun control legislation.[9] LoBiondo raised more than Magazzu by a 3-to-1 margin and polls showed him with at least a 30-point lead.[9]
Labor unions in the district supported LoBiondo, urging the public to "Vote for the Two Franks," referring to LoBiondo and Democratic U.S. senator Frank Lautenberg, who faced a tough re-election contest.[11]
Results
District 3
1994 New Jersey's 3rd congressional district election|
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Incumbent Republican Jim Saxton won. This district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
After the primary, Williams was replaced by James B. Smith.
General election
Candidates
- Anthony Fulvio Croce (Independent)
- D. James Hill (Independent)
- Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative from Mount Holly since 1984 (Republican)
- James B. Smith, former mayor of Mount Holly and nominee for this district in 1984 and 1988[12] (Democratic)
Results
District 4
1994 New Jersey's 4th congressional district election|
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Incumbent Republican Chris Smith won. This district, in Central Jersey, consisted of parts of Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Michael DiMarco
- Ralph Walsh
Results
General election
Candidates
- Arnold Kokans (Natural Law)
- Leonard P. Marshall (NJ Conservative)
- Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981 (Republican)
- Ralph Walsh (Democratic)
Results
District 5
1994 New Jersey's 5th congressional district election|
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Incumbent Marge Roukema won. This district included parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties and all of Warren County.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- Bill Auer, Allendale advertising businessman (Democratic)
- Roger Bacon (Libertarian)
- Helen Hamilton (Natural Law)
- William J. Leonard (Independent)
- Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981 (Republican)
Results
District 6
1994 New Jersey's 6th congressional district election|
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Incumbent Democrat Frank Pallone won. This district included parts of Middlesex and Monmouth counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
Results
District 7
1994 New Jersey's 7th congressional district election|
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Incumbent Bob Franks won. This district included parts of Essex, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Bob Franks, incumbent Representative from Summit since 1993
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Karen Carroll, Bridgewater activist and candidate for this district in 1992
Results
General election
Candidates
- Karen Carroll, Bridgewater activist and candidate for this district in 1992 (Democratic)
- James J. Cleary (Larouche Was Right)
- Bob Franks, incumbent Representative from Summit since 1993 (Republican)
- Claire Greene (Natural Law)
Results
District 8
1994 New Jersey's 8th congressional district election|
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Incumbent Herb Klein ran for a second term in office but was defeated by Bill Martini. This district included parts of Essex and Passaic counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
Campaign
Klein had won a bitter and expensive race in 1992, and leaders of both parties agreed that the eighth district was the most competitive race in 1994. Both campaigns spent heavily on advertising and were supported by visits from party leaders from outside the state.[13] Republicans sought to unseat the first-term incumbent Klein before he could become entrenched.[11]
Both candidates emphasized crime prevention, as well as taxes, government spending, and the economy.[11][13] Klein cited the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act as the first legislation to increase public safety, while Martini criticized it as "pork-laden", with programs that had little to do with crime prevention. Klein said he had voted against President Bill Clinton's proposed budget because he felt it did not have enough spending cuts; Martini charged that Klein had voted later for all of the spending proposals in the budget and that Klein had repeatedly passed on opportunities to vote for further reductions in the federal budget deficit.[11][13]
The Paterson-based district, which was once a major economic hub and the birthplace of American manufacturing, had not recovered from the recession earlier in the decade as well as the rest of the state had.[11]
Endorsements
Herb Klein (D)
- Federal executive branch officials
- Al Gore, Vice President of the United States
Bill Martini (R)
- Federal executive branch officials
- Local officials
Results
Martini declared victory in Totowa at 10:50 p.m. on election night, stating, "I think it's time that we have a chance to bring forth to the American people the policies that they want, the policies of opportunity."[11] Klein conceded shortly thereafter, saying, "Politics is like the ocean; it ebbs and it flows. Unfortunately, we were in a down period, but I know that I have served with pride."[11]
District 9
1994 New Jersey's 9th congressional district election|
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Incumbent Democrat Bob Torricelli won.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Matt Guice
- Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Peter J. Russo, former assemblyman from Lyndhurst and candidate for this district in 1990 and 1992
Results
General election
Candidates
- Kenneth Ebel (Natural Law)
- Gregory Pason (Independent)
- Peter J. Russo, former assemblyman from Lyndhurst and candidate for this district in 1990 and 1992 (Republican)
- Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983 (Democratic)
Results
District 10
1994 New Jersey's 10th congressional district election|
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Incumbent Democrat Donald M. Payne won. The district included parts of Essex, Hudson, and Union counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- Jim Ford (Republican)
- Rose Monyek, perennial candidate (Inflation Fighting Housewife)
- Donald M. Payne, incumbent Representative from Newark since 1989 (Democratic)
- Maurice Williams (Socialist Workers)
Results
District 11
1994 New Jersey's 11th congressional district election|
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Incumbent Republican Dean Gallo initially ran for re-election, but he withdrew from the race in August due to terminal prostate cancer. In the open race to succeed him, Republican Party committee members selected Rodney Frelinghuysen, who easily defeated Frank Herbert. This district consisted of all of Morris County and parts of Essex, Passaic, Somerset, and Sussex counties.
In the Republican primary, Gallo defeated a strenuous challenge from three candidates, including future state senator Joe Pennacchio. In the Democratic primary, Herbert won over John Kucek, a self-declared Christian nationalist and supporter of David Duke. As of 2025, Herbert remains the only candidate in New Jersey history to win a primary for Congress as a write-in candidate.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Republican replacement convention
After Gallo withdrew from the race in August, Republican committee members from the district selected Rodney Frelinghuysen, whom Gallo had designated as his successor, as a replacement nominee. Frelinghuysen received 662 votes, well ahead of the runner-up Jeff Grow, who received 27.[14]
Candidates
Declined
Endorsements
Rodney Frelinghuysen
- U.S. representatives
- Dean Gallo, incumbent Representative for this district
- State legislators
- Political parties
Campaign
Frelinghuysen, who had run unsuccessfully in another district in 1982 and 1990, announced his campaign with Gallo's support on the same day Gallo withdrew. He also had support from the Morris and Essex Republican parties and U.S. Senate nominee Chuck Haytaian, clearing the field quickly of any other serious candidates.[15]
Results
The special convention to designate a replacement was held on September 12.[15]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Disqualified
Campaign
Although the Democratic primary in this district was usually ignored, it gained wide public attention when Daniel G. Tauriello, the party's preferred choice, was disqualified from the ballot after about one dozen of his petition signatures were challenged by John Kucek, an outspoken Holocaust revisionist and supporter of David Duke, leaving Kucek as the only candidate on the ballot.[16]
In response, party leaders and Jewish groups recruited former state senator Frank Herbert as a write-in candidate for the nomination.[16] Kucek defend himself by stating, "I'm not anti-Semitic or anti-Jewish; I'm pro-American."[16]
Results
General election
Candidates
Withdrew
- Dean Gallo, incumbent Representative since 1985 (Republican) (died November 6)
Results
District 12
1994 New Jersey's 12th congressional district election|
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Incumbent Republican Dick Zimmer won. This district, based in Central Jersey, included all of Hunterdon County and parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Somerset counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Joseph D. Youssouf, nominee for state senate in 1991
Results
General election
Candidates
- Anthony M. Provenzano (NJ Conservative)
- Joseph D. Youssouf, nominee for state senate in 1991 (Democratic)
- Dick Zimmer, incumbent Representative since 1991 (Republican)
Results
District 13
1994 New Jersey's 13th congressional district election|
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Incumbent Democrat Bob Menendez won. This district included parts of Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, and Union counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Fernando Alonso
- Mary Ann Hester
- Brian W. McAlindin
Results
General election
Candidates
- Fernando Alonso (Republican)
- Steven Marshall (Socialist Workers)
- Bob Menendez, incumbent Representative from Union City since 1993 (Democratic)
- Frank J. Rubino Jr. (We the People)
- Herbert H. Shaw, perennial candidate (Politicians Are Crooks)
Results
References
- ^ Hennelly, Robert (October 30, 1994). "State G.O.P. Looks to Gain Seats in House". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Carle, Robin H. (May 12, 1995). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1994" (PDF). Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. p. 26.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Official List: Primary Election Returns for the Office of U.S. House of Representatives for Election Held June 4, 1994" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. July 2, 1994. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ Wildstein, David (March 1, 2022). "Gloucester County Clerk will run again". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ Wildstein, David (March 1, 2022). "Gloucester County Clerk will run again". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Official List: Candidate Returns for House of Representatives for Election Held November 5, 1994" (PDF). January 31, 1997. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ "THE 1994 CAMPAIGN; The Election: A Voters' Guide To the Candidates". The New York Times. November 6, 1994. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Sullivan, Joseph F. (June 12, 1994). "Vote in House Primary May Signal End of Era". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "THE 1994 CAMPAIGN; The Election: A Voters' Guide To the Candidates". The New York Times. November 6, 1994. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ Sullivan, Joseph F. (June 12, 1994). "Vote in House Primary May Signal End of Era". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "THE 1994 ELECTIONS: NEW JERSEY; New Jersey Congressional Races". The New York Times. November 9, 1994. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ "Jim Smith, three-time Saxton rival, dies". Observer. November 3, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ a b c "THE 1994 CAMPAIGN; The Election: A Voters' Guide To the Candidates". The New York Times. November 6, 1994. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ "Frelinghuysen leaves Democrats, ficus in the dust". New Jersey Hills. April 5, 2006. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Wildstein, David (August 23, 2024). "It's been 30 years since an incumbent N.J. congressman needed to be replaced this late". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Sullivan, Joseph F. (June 12, 1994). "Vote in House Primary May Signal End of Era". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
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