1981 New Jersey Senate elections

← 1977 November 3, 1981 1983 →
All 40 seats in theNew Jersey State Senate 21 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Carmen A. Orechio Garrett Hagedorn Party Democratic Republican Leader's seat 13th 40th Last election 27 13 Seats before 24 13 Seats won 22 18 Seat change 2 5
Results by district      Democratic hold     Democratic gain      Republican hold     Republican gain
Senate President before election Joseph P. Merlino Democratic Elected Senate President Carmen Orechio Democratic

Elections in New Jersey
Federal government U.S. President 1788-89 1792 1796 1800 1804 1808 1812 1816 1820 1824 1828 1832 1836 1840 1844 1848 1852 1856 1860 1864 1868 1872 1876 1880 1884 1888 1892 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Presidential primaries Democratic 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Republican 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 U.S. Senate 1788 1790 1790 (sp) 1792 1796 1796 (sp) 1798 1799 (sp) 1801 (sp) 1803 (sp) 1804 1808 1809 1809 (sp) 1810 1815 1816 (sp) 1817 1820 1823 1823 (sp) 1826 1826 (sp) 1829 1829 (sp) 1833 1835 1839 1840 1845 1846 1851 1853 (sp) 1857 1858 1863 (sp) 1864 1866 (sp) 1867 (sp) 1869 1875 1877 1881 1883 1886 1889 1893 1895 1899 1901 1902 (sp) 1905 1907 1911 1913 1916 1918 1918 (sp) 1922 1924 1928 1930 1930 (sp) 1932 (sp) 1934 1936 1938 (sp) 1940 1942 1944 (sp) 1948 1954 1958 1960 1964 1966 1970 1972 1976 1978 1982 1984 1988 1990 1994 1996 2000 2002 2006 2008 2012 2013 (sp) 2014 2018 2020 2024 2026 2030 U.S. House of Representatives 1789 1791 1792 1794 1795 (sp AL) 1797 1798 1800 1803 1804 1806 1808 (sp AL) 1808 1810 (sp AL) 1810 1814 (sp 3rd) 1813 1814 1816 1818 1820 1821 (sp AL) 1822 1824 1826 1828 1828 (sp AL) 1830 1832 1834 1836 1836 1838 1840 1842 1844 1846 1850 1852 1854 1856 1858 1860 1862 1864 1866 1868 1870 1872 1874 1876 1878 1880 1882 1884 1886 1888 1890 1892 1894 1896 1898 1900 1902 1904 1906 1908 1910 1912 1913 (sp 6th) 1914 1914 (7th) 1916 1918 1918 (5th) 1920 1920 (1st) 1924 1925 (3rd) 1926 1928 1930 1932 1934 1936 1938 1940 1942 1944 1945 (4th) 1946 1948 1950 1950 (7th) 1951 (sp 9th) 1952 1953 (6th) 1954 1956 1957 (2nd) 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1969 (8th) 1970 1970 (6th) 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1984 (13th) 1986 1988 1988 (sp 3rd) 1990 1990 (sp 1st) 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2006 2006 (13th) 2008 2010 2012 2012 (sp 10th) 2014 2014 (sp 1st) 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2024 (sp 10th) 2026 2026 (sp 11th)
State government General elections 2009 2010 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2020 2021 2023 2025 Gubernatorial elections 1843 1844 1847 1850 1853 1856 1859 1862 1865 1868 1871 1874 1877 1880 1883 1886 1889 1892 1895 1898 1901 1904 1907 1910 1913 1916 1919 1922 1925 1928 1931 1934 1937 1940 1943 1946 1949 1953 1957 1961 1965 1969 1973 1977 1981 1985 1989 1993 1997 2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 2021 2025 Senate elections 1873 ... 1955 1957 1959 1961 1963 1965 1967 1971 1973 1977 1981 1983 1987 1991 1993 1997 2001 2003 2007 2011 2013 2017 2021 2023 General Assembly elections 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 2025 Ballot Measures New Jersey's 1927 biannual elections proposal2016 New Jersey casino expansion amendment 2020 New Jersey Public Question 1
Newark Mayoral elections 1970 ... 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022
Jersey City Mayoral elections 1992 (sp) 1993 1997 2001 2004 (sp) 2005 2009 2013 2017 2021 2025
Hoboken Mayoral elections 2005 2009 2013 2017 2021 2025
Atlantic City Mayoral elections 2013 2017 2021 2025
v t e

The1981 New Jersey Senate elections were held on November 3. The New Jersey legislature reapportioned its state legislative districts in advance of the 1981 election. The new districts resulted in many senators running for re-election in newly re-numbered districts. The election coincided with a tightly contested gubernatorial election betweenThomas Kean andJames Florio. Republicans gained five seats, narrowing the Democratic majority to 22–18. Democrats flipped districts 10, 14, and 15, while Republicans flipped districts 9, 12, 13, 21, 26, 34, 38, and 39.

AFederal Bureau of Investigation investigation resulted in the retirements of SenatorsJoseph A. Maressa andAngelo Errichetti, both of whom accepted bribes from the FBI under the guise of Arab oil sheikhs. Errichetti was convicted; Maressa was not prosecuted but opted to retire.^[1]

• Joseph A. Maressa (District 4)^[1]
• Angelo Errichetti (District 5)^[2]
• Charles B. Yates (District 7)^[2]
• Joseph P. Merlino (District 13) (ran for governor)^[2]
• William J. Hamilton (District 17)^[2] (ran for governor)
• Frank J. Dodd (District 26)^[2] (ran for governor)
• James A. Galdieri (District 32)

• James Cafiero (District 1)^[2]
• Barry T. Parker (District 8) (ran for governor)^[2]
• James Wallwork (District 25) (ran for governor)^[2]

1974–82

1982–1992

New Jersey Legislature before (left) and after (right) the 1981 redistricting

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

1. District 30, 1.7%
2. District 33, 3.2%
3. District 2, 3.4%
4. District 21, 3.8% gain
5. District 18, 4.2%
6. District 38, 4.5% gain
7. District 20, 4.6%
8. District 34, 5.4% gain
9. District 1, 7.6%

The first district consisted of all of Cape May County and the Cumberland municipalities of Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Upper Deerfield, Deerfield, and Maurice River. Prior to redistricting, it had contained all of Cumberland County.

Incumbent Senator James Cafiero retired.

• James R. Hurley, Assemblyman fromMillville (Regular Organization Republican-Pat Kramer Team)

• Edward H. Salmon,Cumberland CountyFreeholder and former mayor ofMillville (Sound Off for South Jersey)

• James R. Hurley, Assemblyman fromMillville (Republican)
• Edward H. Salmon,Cumberland CountyFreeholder and former mayor ofMillville (Democratic)

The second district consisted of Atlantic County except for the municipalities ofFolsom,Buena, andBuena Vista, which were removed in redistricting. Redistricting also removedBass River andWashington inBurlington County andTuckerton andLittle Egg Harbor in Ocean County.

• Richard "Reds" Lavin, labor organizer and state government liaison for theAtlantic City Department of Parks and Public Property (The Alternative)^[5]
• Steven Perskie, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Endorsed By Atlantic County Democratic Convention)

• Joseph McGahn, former Democratic Senator (Regular Republican)

• Joseph McGahn, former Democratic Senator (Republican)
• Steven Perskie, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Democratic)

• Raymond Zane, incumbent Senator (Regular Democratic Organization)

• D. Paul McMahon Jr., owner of aWoodbury electrical contracting firm^[6]

• D. Paul McMahon Jr., owner of aWoodbury electrical contracting firm (Republican)^[6]
• Raymond Zane, incumbent Senator (Democratic)

• Daniel J. Dalton, Assemblyman fromLaurel Springs (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Kenneth A. Gewertz, former Assemblyman fromDeptford Township (Regular Democrat Organization)

This primary was a rematch of the 1979 Assembly election, in which Dalton and running mateDennis L. Riley, who ran with the support of CongressmanJim Florio, unseated Gewertz andFrancis J. Gorman, who had the support of Camden mayor and State SenatorAngelo Errichetti.^[7] Each candidate had the support of their respective county party; Dalton in Camden and Gewertz in Gloucester.^[8]

• Connie B. Roggio,Gloucester Township councilwoman (Regular Republican Organization)^[8]
• Frank B. Smith (Organization of Regular Republicans)

• Daniel J. Dalton (Democratic)
• Frank B. Smith (Republican)

• Walter Rand, Assemblyman fromCamden (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Ernest F. Schuck, Assemblyman fromBarrington (Camden County Democrat Organization)

Unlike the neighboring fourth district, both Assemblymen Rand and Schuck were considered allies of Errichetti and shared a legislative office. Their friendly relations were maintained throughout a "kid-gloves" campaign, despite the close margin.^[8]

Ultimately, Florio struck an alliance with Rand which propelled him over the top as Florio ran up large numbers in the gubernatorial race.^[8]

• John H. Lyons Jr. (Regular Republican Organization of Camden County)

• John H. Lyons Jr. (Republican)
• Walter Rand, Assemblyman fromCamden (Democratic)

• Lee Laskin, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Organization of Regular Republicans)

• James Greenberg (Regular Democratic Organization)

• James Greenberg (Democratic)
• Lee Laskin, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)

• Herman T. Costello, Assemblyman fromBurlington and mayor of Burlington since 1964 (Regular Democratic Organization)

• Michael J. Conda (Regular Republican Organization)

• Michael J. Conda (Republican)
• Herman T. Costello, Assemblyman fromBurlington and mayor of Burlington since 1964 (Democratic)

• Jim Saxton, Assemblyman fromMount Holly (Regular Republican Organization)

• Raymond J. Storck (Regular Democratic Organization)

• Jim Saxton, Assemblyman fromMount Holly (Republican)
• Raymond J. Storck (Democratic)

• Leonard T. Connors,Ocean CountyFreeholder and mayor ofSurf City since 1966 (Regular Republican Organization of Ocean County)

• Wesley K. Bell, former mayor ofStafford Township and candidate for U.S. Senatein 1978 (Official Regular Democrat Organization)

• Wesley K. Bell, former mayor ofStafford Township and candidate for U.S. Senatein 1978 (Democratic)
• Leonard T. Connors,Ocean CountyFreeholder and mayor ofSurf City since 1966 (Republican)

All of the new tenth district had previously been contained within the boundaries of the ninth district in Ocean County. It consisted ofLakewood,Brick, andToms River, and theshore towns ofLavallette,Mantoloking,Bay Head,Seaside Park,Seaside Heights,Ocean Gate,Point Pleasant Beach, andPoint Pleasant.

• John F. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)

• Hazel Gluck, Assemblywoman fromLakewood (Republican)

• Hazel Gluck, Assemblywoman fromLakewood (Republican)
• John F. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)

• Brian T. Kennedy, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Regular Republican)

• George Callas (Regular Democratic Organization of Monmouth County)

• George Callas (Democratic)
• Stan Johnson (Citizens)
• Brian T. Kennedy, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)

• S. Thomas Gagliano, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Regular Republican)

• Roger J. Kane (Regular Democratic Organization of Monmouth County)

• S. Thomas Gagliano, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
• Roger J. Kane (Democratic)

• Eugene J. Bedell, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Regular Democratic Organization of Monmouth County)

• John P. Gallagher, investment banker and former executive director of theNew Jersey Highway Authority (Regular Republican)

• Eugene J. Bedell, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)
• John P. Gallagher, investment banker and former executive director of theNew Jersey Highway Authority (Republican)

• Francis J. McManimon, Assemblyman fromHamilton Township (Regular Democrat Organization)

• Thomas Colitsas

• S. Thomas Gagliano, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
• Roger J. Kane (Democratic)

Incumbent Senator Joseph Merlino, who had been redistricted from the 13th district, opted to run for Governor of New Jersey.

• Paul J. Sollami,Mercer CountyFreeholder (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Gerald R. Stockman, Assemblyman fromTrenton (Regular Organization Democrat)

Sollami had the support of county party chair and power brokerRichard J. Coffee.^[8]

• Carmen J. Armenti, former Democratic mayor ofTrenton

• Carmen J. Armenti, former mayor of Trenton (Republican)
• Gerald R. Stockman, Assemblyman from Trenton (Democratic)

• John H. Ewing, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Somerset County Republican Organization)

• John F. Guerrera (Regular Democratic Organization)

• John H. Ewing, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
• John F. Guerrera (Regular Democratic Organization)

• John A. Lynch Jr., mayor ofNew Brunswick and son of former SenatorJohn A. Lynch (Regular Democratic Organization)

• Donald J. Douglas (Middlesex County Republican Organization, Inc.)
• John Giammarco (Middlesex County Regular Republican Organization)

• Donald J. Douglas (Republican)
• Paul Lennon (Citizens)
• John A. Lynch Jr., mayor ofNew Brunswick and son of former SenatorJohn A. Lynch (Democratic)

• James Bornheimer, Assemblyman fromEast Brunswick (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Samuel V. Convery Jr. (Responsible Democrat)

• Joseph M. Cooperstein (Middlesex County Republican Organization, Inc.)
• Peter Garibaldi, former Assemblyman fromMonroe Township (Middlesex County Regular Republican Organization)

• James Bornheimer, Assemblyman fromEast Brunswick (Democratic)
• Peter Garibaldi, former Assemblyman fromMonroe Township (Republican)

• Laurence S. Weiss, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Regular Democratic Organization)

• Edmund S. Kaboski (Middlesex County Republican Organization, Inc.)

• Edmund S. Kaboski (Republican)
• Laurence S. Weiss, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Democratic)

• John T. Gregorio, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor ofLinden (Regular Democratic Organization of Union County)

• John Fenick (Regular Organization Republican of Union County)

• John Fenick (Republican)
• John T. Gregorio, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor ofLinden (Democratic)

• Anthony E. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor ofUnion Township (Regular Democratic Organization of Union County)

• C. Louis Bassano, Assemblyman from Union Township (Regular Organization Republican of Union County)

• C. Louis Bassano, Assemblyman from Union Township (Republican)
• Anthony E. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor ofUnion Township (Democratic)

• Anthony J. Crincoli (Regular Republican Party)
• Donald DiFrancesco, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Regular Organization Republican of Union County)

• Frank Fiorito (Democratic Party—Organization)

• Donald DiFrancesco, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Republican)
• Frank Fiorito (Democratic)

• Walter Foran, incumbent Senator since 1977 (Regular Republican Organization)

• Samuel J. Gugliemini (Regular Democratic Organization)

• Walter Foran, incumbent Senator since 1977 (Republican)
• Samuel J. Gugliemini (Democratic)

• Donald J. Albanese, Assemblyman fromBelvidere (Conservative Republican)
• Wayne Dumont, incumbent Senator since 1968^[a] (Regular Republican Organizational Candidate)

The campaign between Albanese and Dumont was possibly the most bitter in the state. Dumont had supported Albanese in his short-lived campaign for governor, only for Albanese to withdraw from that race and challenge Dumont.^[8]

• Edward Gaffney (Regular Democratic Party Organization)

• Wayne Dumont, incumbent Senator since 1968^[a] (Republican)
• Edward Gaffney (Democratic)

• John H. Dorsey, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Regular Republican)

• Horace Chamberlain (Democrat)

• Horace Chamberlain (Democratic)
• John H. Dorsey, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)

• James P. Vreeland, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Incumbent Republican Senator)

• Benjamin Steltzer (Regular Democrat)

• Benjamin Steltzer (Democratic)
• James P. Vreeland, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Republican)

• James J. Brown ("Think" Democratic)
• Richard Codey, Assemblyman fromOrange (Democratic Party Organization)
• Gayle Brody Rosen

• Richard Codey, Assemblyman fromOrange (Democratic)
• Richard E. Koehler (Republican)

• John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Democratic Party—Organization)

• John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Democratic)
• Herta B. Tully (Republican)

• Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator since 1972 (Democratic Party—Organization)

• Louis J. Smith (Essex Republican Party Organization)

• Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator since 1972 (Democratic)
• Louis J. Smith (Republican)

• Carmen Orechio, incumbent Senator since 1974 and mayor ofNutley (Democratic Party—Organization)

• John I. Crecco (Essex Republican Party Organization)

• John I. Crecco (Republican)
• Arthur Kinoy (Citizens)
• Carmen Orechio, incumbent Senator since 1974 and mayor ofNutley (Democratic)

• Wally Sheil, incumbent Senator since 1978 and president ofHudson County Community College (Regular Democratic Organization)
• Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (Democratic Solidarity Coalition Team)
• James J. Richardson

• Jean C. Lane (Regular Republican Organization)

• Jean C. Lane (Republican)
• Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (Democratic)

• Michael J. Marino, former Assemblyman (Democratic Solidarity Coalition Team)
• Frank E. Rodgers, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor ofHarrison (Regular Democratic Organization)

• Joseph F. Ward (Regular Republican Organization)

• Frank E. Rodgers, incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor ofHarrison (Democratic)
• Herbert H. Shaw, perennial candidate (Politicians are Crooks)
• Joseph F. Ward (Republican)