The 1990 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 6, 1990, 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.
Despite widespread discontent and anger over tax increases at the state and federal level, all ten incumbent candidates won their races, and the two open seats remained with their respective parties.
Overview
District 1
This seat had been vacant since January 16, 1990, when James Florio resigned to take office as Governor of New Jersey. Democrat Rob Andrews won the open race, as well as the simultaneous election to complete Florio's unexpired term. The district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Special primary results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Special primary results
General election
Candidates
Campaign
Mangini attacked Andrews as a "clone" of his predecessor Florio, the unpopular governor and former Representative. Despite his ties to Florio, even many Republicans conceded that Andrews was the likely favorite to hold the seat, which was heavily Democratic. Mangini ran on a consistent anti-tax theme.
Results
District 2
Incumbent William J. Hughes won with no Republican opponent. This district, the largest in South Jersey, included all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties and parts of Gloucester County.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
- William A. Kanengiser (Populist)
Results
District 3
Incumbent Democrat Frank Pallone won. This district included partsMonmouth and Ocean counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Paul A. Kapalko, former assemblyman and member of the Asbury Park City Council
Results
General election
Candidates
- Paul A. Kapalko, former assemblyman and member of the Asbury Park City Council (Republican)
- Richard D. McKean (Independent)
- Frank Pallone, incumbent Representative from Long Branch since 1988 (Democratic)
- Joseph A. Plonski (Populist)
- William Stewart (Libertarian)
Campaign
Kapalko sought to tie Pallone to the unpopular incumbent governor, Jim Florio, and his $2.8 billion state tax increase. After Pallone's campaign manager, Joel Berg, admitted to The New York Times that they sought to "airbrush Florio out of the picture," Pallone stated, "There is no question that I have never done anything but support Democratic candidates. I work very hard every November for Democrats, whether it be the Governor or whatever. There is no question I supported him, but Kapalko is trying to make me his campaign manager, which is not the case." Pallone, who had a moderate reputation as an opponent of spending increases in Congress, the New Jersey Senate, and the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, was urged by aides to come out directly against the tax increase.
At a candidates' forum in Ocean Township on November 3, protestors carried signs denouncing the Florio tax package. During the forum, Kapalko and independent candidate Richard D. McKean, running on an anti-abortion platform, both criticized Pallone for distancing himself from Florio after serving as chair of his campaign and, in an interview with the Asbury Park Press editorial board, questioning whether he had ever served in that role at all. Despite these attacks, Pallone was widely seen to be leading as the campaign entered its closing days.
Results
District 4
Incumbent Republican Chris Smith won. This district, in Central Jersey, consisted of parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Mark Setaro, Trenton lawyer
Results
General election
Candidates
- Judson M. Carter, independent candidate for this district in 1988 (God We Trust)
- Joseph J. Notarangelo (Populist)
- Carl Peters (Libertarian)
- Mark Setaro, Trenton lawyer (Democratic)
- Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981 (Republican)
Results
District 5
Incumbent Marge Roukema won. This district included parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Elliot Greenspan
- Lawrence Wayne Olsen, Paramus schoolteacher
Results
General election
Candidates
- Lawrence Wayne Olsen, Paramus schoolteacher (Democratic)
- Mark Richards (Populist)
- Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981 (Republican)
Results
District 6
Incumbent Democrat Bernard J. Dwyer won. This district included parts of Middlesex, Monmouth and Union counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Sebastian Del Duca
- Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Paul Danielczyk, Woodbridge realtor
- Rodger Zepka
Results
General election
Candidates
- Paul Danielczyk, Woodbridge realtor (Republican)
- Bernard J. Dwyer, incumbent Representative from Edison since 1981 (Democratic)
- Howard F. Schoen (Libertarian)
- Randolph Waller (Populist)
Results
District 7
Incumbent Matt Rinaldo won. This district included parts of Essex, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- Bruce H. Bergen, lawyer (Democratic)
- Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973 (Republican)
- Thomas V. Sarnowski (Populist)
Results
District 8
Incumbent Robert Roe won. This district included parts of Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- Bruce Eden (Populist)
- Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969 (Democratic)
- Stephen Sibilia (Independent Conservative)
Results
District 9
Incumbent Democrat Bob Torricelli won. This district consisted of parts of Bergen and Hudson counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983
- Robert Wesser
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Peter J. Russo, former assemblyman from Lyndhurst
Results
General election
Candidates
- Chester Grabowski (Populist)
- Peter J. Russo, former assemblyman from Lyndhurst (Republican)
- Bob Torricelli, incumbent Representative from Englewood since 1983 (Democratic)
Results
District 10
Incumbent Democrat Donald M. Payne won. The district included parts of Essex and Union counties.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- Howard E. Berkeley (Republican)
- George Mehrabian (Socialist Workers)
- Donald M. Payne, incumbent Representative from Newark since 1989 (Democratic)
Results
District 11
Incumbent Republican Dean Gallo won. This district consisted of parts of Essex, Morris, Sussex and Warren counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Mary Frueholz
- Michael Gordon, West Orange environmental lawyer
Results
General election
Candidates
- Dean Gallo, incumbent Representative since 1985 (Republican)
- Michael Gordon, West Orange environmental lawyer (Democratic)
- Jasper Gould (Populist)
Results
District 12
Incumbent Republican Jim Courter did not run after losing the 1989 gubernatorial election; Dick Zimmer won the open seat. This sprawling district included all of Hunterdon County and parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declined
Campaign
Frelinghuysen, who had unsuccessfully run against Courter for this seat in a 1982 open primary, was the early favorite for the nomination. He won the crucial support of the Morris and Somerset Republican organizations, which accounted for about half of the anticipated primary vote.
Endorsements
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Marguerite Chandler, Somerville businesswoman
- James J. Cleary, supporter of Lyndon LaRouche
Results
General election
Candidates
- John I. Bottcher ("Back to Basics")
- Marguerite Chandler, Somerville businesswoman (Democratic)
- C. Max Kortepeter (Independent Reform)
- Michael A. Notarangelo (Populist)
- Dick Zimmer, state senator from Flemington (Republican)
Campaign
In the general election, Republicans ran radio advertisements including a clip of Chandler praising Governor Florio's "courage" in passing his $2.8 billion tax and addressing state budgetary issues "in a very straightforward way." The ads concluded, "We won't get fooled again."
Results
District 13
Incumbent Republican Jim Saxton won. This district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.
Republican primary
Candidates
- William Monk
- Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative since 1984
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
General election
Candidates
- John Adler, former Cherry Hill councilman (Democratic)
- Howard Scott Pearlman (World Without War)
- Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative since 1984 (Republican)
Results
District 14
Incumbent Democrat Frank J. Guarini won. This district included parts Hudson County.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jorge T. Gallo
- Fred J. Theemling Jr., former Hudson County assistant prosecutor and candidate for this district in 1988
Results
General election
Candidates
- Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Democratic)
- Jane E. Harris (Socialist Workers)
- Donald K. Stoveken (Populist)
- Fred J. Theemling Jr., former Hudson County assistant prosecutor and candidate for this district in 1988 (Republican)
- Louis Vernotico (Right to Vote)
- Michael Ziruolo (Better Affordable Government)
Results
References