The 1980 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 4, 1980, to determine who would represent the people of New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives. This election coincided with national elections for President, 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.
Overview
District 1
Incumbent Democrat James Florio won. The district included Gloucester County and parts of Camden County.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- Scott L. Sibert (Republican)
- James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Republican)
- Julius Levin, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
- Thomas S. Watson Jr. (Independent)
- Ronald K. Wishart (Libertarian)
Results
District 2
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 Burlington and Ocean counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Beech N. Fox, Cape May County sheriff
- John J. Mahoney, chair of the Atlantic County Young Republicans
Results
General election
Candidates
- Beech N. Fox, Cape May County sheriff (Republican)
- Adele Frisch (Socialist Labor)
- William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
- Robert C. Rothhouse (Libertarian)
Results
District 3
Incumbent Democrat James J. Howard won.
This district included parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- Lawrence D. Erickson (Socialist)
- James J. Howard, incumbent Representative since 1965 (Democratic)
- Marie Sheehan Muhler, assemblywoman from Marlboro (Republican)
- Tom Palven (Libertarian)
- L. James Wilson (J.E.B. Party Inc.)
Results
District 4
Incumbent Republican Chris Smith won. This district, in Central Jersey, consisted of parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Chris Smith, chair of the New Jersey Right to Life Committee and nominee for this district in 1978
- John D. Scalamonti, former Catholic priest and convert to Orthodox Judaism
Declined
Results
General election
Candidates
- Jack Moyers (Libertarian)
- Paul B. Rizzo (Independent)
- Chris Smith, chair of the New Jersey Right to Life Committee and nominee for this district in 1978 (Republican)
- Frank Thompson, incumbent Representative since 1955 (Democratic)
Campaign
After Thompson was indicted on charges of bribery and conspiracy in connection with the Abscam FBI sting operation, Republicans considered replacing Smith with a more established candidate. Two such potential candidates, 1978 U.S. Senate nominee Jeff Bell and Hamilton Township mayor Jack Rafferty, declined.
Results
District 5
Incumbent Millicent Fenwick won. This district included Somerset County and parts of Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, and Morris counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
Campaign
In the general election, Fenwick and Pillion agreed to a spending cap of $22,500. Ultimately, Pillion was only able to raise about $7,200.
Fenwick's campaign was managed by future state senator Kip Bateman.
Results
District 6
Incumbent Republican Edwin B. Forsythe won.
This district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Alene S. Ammond, former state senator from Cherry Hill
- Bruce MacNaul, Burlington County Surrogate
- Lewis M. Weinstein, former Cherry Hill township manager
Results
General election
Candidates
- Bernardo S. Doganiero, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
- Virginia A. Flynn (Libertarian)
- Edwin B. Forsythe, incumbent Representative from Moorestown since 1970 (Republican)
- John Kinnevy III (Citizens)
- Donald L. Smith (Constitution)
- Lewis M. Weinstein (Democratic)
Results
District 7
Incumbent Andrew Maguire ran for a fourth term in office but was defeated by Marge Roukema. This district included western parts of Bergen County.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- Andrew Maguire, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
- Patrick Randazzo (Pro-Life Independent)
- Marge Roukema, former member of the Ridgewood Board of Education and nominee for this district in 1978 (Republican)
- Robert Shapiro (Libertarian)
- Martin E. Wendelken (Independent)
Results
District 8
Incumbent Robert Roe won. This district included parts of Bergen and Passaic counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- William R. Cleveland (Republican)
- Michael Horowitz (Libertarian)
- Donald Rabel (Socialist Labor)
- Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969 (Democratic)
Results
District 9
Incumbent Democrat Bob Torricelli won. This district consisted of parts of Bergen and Hudson counties.
As of 2025, this is the most recent election in which a Republican was elected to represent any portion of Hudson County.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declined
Results
General election
Candidates
Results
District 10
Incumbent Democrat Peter W. Rodino won. The district included parts of Essex and Hudson counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- Christine Hildebrand (Socialist Workers)
- Everett J. Jennings (Republican)
- Christine Keno (Human Rights Ratification)
- Ronald Penque (Libertarian)
- Peter W. Rodino, incumbent Representative since 1949 (Democratic)
- Frankie Lee Scott (Youth Against Draft)
Results
District 11
Incumbent Democrat Joseph Minish won. This district consisted of parts of Bergen, Essex, Passaic, and Union counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- Jon Britton (Socialist Workers)
- Robert A. Davis (Republican)
- Joseph Minish, incumbent Representative from West Orange since 1963 (Democratic)
- Richard S. Roth (Libertarian)
- Robert G. Trugman (The Independent Alternative)
Resultsd
District 12
Incumbent Matt Rinaldo won. This district included parts of Union County.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Charles A. Leary
- Rose Zeidwerg Monyek
Results
General election
Candidates
- David-Leif Jensen (Independent for Congress)
- Rose Zeidwerg Monyek (Democratic)
- Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973 (Republican)
- William Vandersteel (Libertarian)
Results
District 13
Incumbent Representative Jim Courter won the election.
This sprawling district included Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren counties and parts of Mercer and Morris counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Edward J. Baker
- Carl A. Mottey
- Ray Rollinson
- Roger A. Singerling
- Dave Stickle
Results
General election
Candidates
- Jim Courter, incumbent Representative from Hackettstown since 1979 (Republican)
- John S. Schafer (Libertarian)
- Dave Stickle (Democratic)
Results
District 14
Incumbent Democrat Frank J. Guarini won. This district included parts of Hudson County.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- Kenneth Famularo (Action Talks)
- Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Democratic)
- Jonathan Steele (LIbertarian)
- Dennis Teti (Republican)
Results
District 15
Incumbent Democrat Edward Patten did not run for re-election to a tenth term in office. Bernard J. Dwyer won the open seat. This district included parts of Middlesex and Union counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declined
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- William J. O'Sullivan Jr., Middlesex County Republican Party treasurer
- Charles W. Wiley, freelance journalist and nominee for this district in 1978
Results
General election
Candidates
- Bernard J. Dwyer, state senator and former mayor of Edison (Democratic)
- Charles M. Hart (Libertarian)
- Ira W. Mintz (People's Independent Coalition)
- William J. O'Sullivan Jr. (Republican)
Results
References