1991 New Jersey State Senate election
# 1991 New Jersey State Senate election

The 1991 New Jersey State Senate elections were held on November 5.

The election took place mid-way through the term of Governor James Florio. The results were a landslide victory for the Republican Party amidst a tax revolt by New Jersey voters. Democrats picked up only one seat, that of Senator Lee B. Laskin. Republicans picked up eleven Democrat seats, winning control of the Senate for the first time since 1978.

## Background

### Redistricting

As required, the New Jersey legislature redistricted its state legislative districts in advance of the 1991 election. Redistricting was considered to have favored Republicans, reflecting relative growth in the suburbs versus the state's Democratic urban cores.

### Tax revolt

A centerpiece of the Florio administration's legislative agenda was a $2.8 billion tax increase, which one consultant called "the largest single tax increase in the history of the finances of the 50 states" and "a national test case on both political and economic grounds." The increase also came amid a national economic recession. Very little public input was possible due to the package's short turnaround; the Florio administration cited restrictive deadlines. According to administration officials, the tax package was designed to aid blue-collar workers and the middle class, who it later admitted were "also the people most upset by enactment of the taxes." After the 1991 election, Florio aide Doug Berman admitted, "We were very full of ourselves."

Voter anger over the tax increase grew throughout the early months of 1990; many voters felt that Florio's projection during the 1989 campaign that new taxes were unlikely had amounted to a lie. In response to growing protest, the administration adopted a wait-and-see approach, maintaining the protests would peter out as the legislative package delivered benefits in the form of rebate checks, lower auto insurance rates, and increased funding for education.

In June 1990, New Jersey 101.5 talk radio callers Pat Ralston and John Budzash formed Hands Across New Jersey, a protest group which rallied thousands of supporters in Trenton on July 1 and collected over 350,000 petition signatures within the month. The group's stated mission was to obtain binding referendums and a recall mechanism; Democratic Assemblyman Thomas P. Foy declared his support for a recall provision on NJ101.5 soon after.

By fall 1990, Florio's approval rating sank to 18 percent; it would not exceed the low twenties for the duration of the 1991 campaign. The first political impact of the "tax revolt" was made manifest in November 1990, when incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Bradley was nearly unseated by Christine Todd Whitman. During her campaign, Whitman repeatedly asked Bradley for his position on the increase, but he demurred, calling it a state issue.

Republicans centered their 1991 campaign on opposition to the increase, as did even some incumbent Democrats, such as Senator Paul Contillo.

### Gun control

Another major legislative achievement of the Florio administration was a strict gun control measure targeted at "assault-style weapons." The bill's passage led the National Rifle Association to spend nearly $250,000 in the 1991 elections targeting candidates in both parties who had voted in favor of the bill and supporting those who pledged to repeal it.

Statewide polling generally showed that the bill was popular with New Jerseyans, so supporters were not directly attacked; rather, the N.R.A. spent heavily to advertise for or against candidates on other issues. Statewide, the N.R.A. donated directly to 78 legislative candidates, 75 of whom were Republicans, and 70 of whom won.

### Education

The Florio administration also received surprise opposition from the New Jersey Education Association, which had backed his election in 1989. After the passage of the Quality Education Act and strict new spending caps on local school boards, the NJEA endorsed a slate of legislative candidates which was almost exclusively Republican. The total slate included 46 Republicans and only three Democrats.

## Aftermath and legacy

The Republican landslide gave the party control of the New Jersey Senate for the first time since 1978 and they would maintain it for a decade until 2001, when a tied Senate result necessitated a power-sharing agreement with the Democrats. Two years later, Governor Florio narrowly lost re-election to Christine Todd Whitman.

As of 2023, this remains the largest total number of seats the Republican Party has ever won in a New Jersey Senate election, the largest number of seats the Republican Party has gained in a single election since the current districting scheme was introduced in 1973, and the largest number of seats either party has gained in a midterm election.

### Talk radio

Prior to 1990, New Jersey 101.5 was known as an "obscure Trenton oldies station." During the tax revolt and the station's transition to talk radio, listenership quadrupled from 150,000 to 600,000. The John and Ken Show, from which the protest was launched, later moved to KFI in Los Angeles and became nationally syndicated in 1997.

### 1992 Senate presidency contest

With Republican control of the Senate becoming likely during the campaign, Senator Donald DiFrancesco and Senate Minority Leader John H. Dorsey, neither of whom faced serious re-election challenges, engaged in a proxy contest to control the next Republican caucus and win the election for Senate President. Dorsey had already survived one attempt by DiFrancseco to unseat him as leader in December 1990, and DiFrancesco had previously served as minority leader himself from 1982 to 1984.

DiFrancseco had the support of moderates, led by former Governor Thomas Kean, and offered a less confrontational approach than Dorsey. Publicly, DiFrancesco said his efforts were focused on electing a Republican majority, but challenged the idea that as Senate Minority Leader, he was entitled to the presidency, saying, "It's not like I'm throwing Mr. Dorsey out of a position, because no one has it."

Each Senator spent at least $50,000 in other Senate races. Among incumbents, the struggle was projected as a dead heat, so special effort was made to influence incoming legislators. For instance, Dorsey spent $9,000 and DiFrancesco spent $7,000 supporting the campaign of Andrew R. Ciesla.

Ultimately, DiFrancesco prevailed. Dorsey remained in party leadership as Majority Leader but faced another intra-party challenge from future Governor Chris Christie in his district's primary. He successfully disqualified Christie from the ballot but lost the general election to Democrat Gordon MacInnes and left politics.

DiFrancesco served as Senate President until 2002. After Christine Todd Whitman resigned to become Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, DiFrancesco succeeded her as the 51st Governor of New Jersey and oversaw the state's response to the September 11 attacks. He retired from politics after withdrawing from the 2001 gubernatorial election.

## Incumbents not running for re-election

### Democratic

* Daniel Dalton (4th district)
* John F. Russo (10th district)
* Carmen A. Orechio (30th district) (redistricted to 36th)

## Summary of results

| District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1st Legislative District | James Cafiero | Rep | James Cafiero | Rep |
| 2nd Legislative District | William Gormley | Rep | William Gormley | Rep |
| 3rd Legislative District | Raymond Zane | Dem | Raymond Zane | Dem |
| 4th Legislative District | Daniel Dalton | Dem | John Matheussen | Rep |
| 5th Legislative District | Walter Rand | Dem | Walter Rand | Dem |
| 6th Legislative District | Lee Laskin | Rep | John Adler | Dem |
| 7th Legislative District | Thomas P. Foy | Dem | Bradford S. Smith | Rep |
| 8th Legislative District | C. William Haines | Rep | C. William Haines | Rep |
| 9th Legislative District | Leonard T. Connors | Rep | Leonard T. Connors | Rep |
| 10th Legislative District | John F. Russo | Dem | Andrew R. Ciesla | Rep |
| 11th Legislative District | Joseph A. Palaia | Rep | Joseph A. Palaia | Rep |
| 12th Legislative District | John O. Bennett | Rep | John O. Bennett | Rep |
| 13th Legislative District | James T. Phillips | Dem | Joe Kyrillos | Rep |
| 14th Legislative District | Francis J. McManimon | Dem | Peter Inverso | Rep |
| 15th Legislative District | Gerald R. Stockman | Dem | Dick LaRossa | Rep |
| 16th Legislative District | John H. Ewing | Rep | John H. Ewing | Rep |
| 17th Legislative District | John A. Lynch Jr. | Dem | John A. Lynch Jr. | Dem |
| 18th Legislative District | Thomas H. Paterniti | Dem | Jack Sinagra | Rep |
| 19th Legislative District | Laurence Weiss | Dem | Randy Corman | Rep |
| 20th Legislative District | Raymond Lesniak | Dem | Raymond Lesniak | Dem |
| 21st Legislative District | C. Louis Bassano | Rep | C. Louis Bassano | Rep |
| 22nd Legislative District | Donald DiFrancesco | Rep | Donald DiFrancesco | Rep |
| 23rd Legislative District | William E. Schluter | Rep | William E. Schluter | Rep |
| 24th Legislative District | Robert Littell | Rep | Robert Littell | Rep |
| 25th Legislative District | John H. Dorsey | Rep | John H. Dorsey | Rep |
| 26th Legislative District | Leanna Brown | Rep | Leanna Brown | Rep |
| 27th Legislative District | Richard Codey | Dem | Richard Codey | Dem |
| 28th Legislative District | Ronald Rice | Dem | Ronald Rice | Dem |
| 29th Legislative District | Wynona Lipman | Dem | Wynona Lipman | Dem |
| 30th Legislative District | Carmen Orechio | Dem | John E. Dimon | Rep |
| 31st Legislative District | Edward T. O'Connor Jr. | Dem | Edward T. O'Connor Jr. | Dem |
| 32nd Legislative District | Thomas F. Cowan | Dem | Thomas F. Cowan | Dem |
| 33rd Legislative District | Bob Menendez | Dem | Bob Menendez | Dem |
| 34th Legislative District | Joseph Bubba | Rep | Joseph Bubba | Rep |
| 35th Legislative District | John Girgenti | Dem | John Girgenti | Dem |
| 36th Legislative District | Gabriel M. Ambrosio | Dem | John P. Scott | Rep |
| 37th Legislative District | Matthew Feldman | Dem | Matthew Feldman | Dem |
| 38th Legislative District | Paul Contillo | Dem | Louis F. Kosco | Rep |
| 39th Legislative District | Gerald Cardinale | Rep | Gerald Cardinale | Rep |
| 40th Legislative District | Henry McNamara | Rep | Henry McNamara | Rep |

* ↑ Estimates vary from 6,000 to 50,000.
* ↑ Cafiero won a 1990 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator James R. Hurley, who resigned to join the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.
* ↑ Foy was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Senator Catherine A. Costa, who resigned to become Director of the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
* ↑ Haines won a 1984 special election to complete the term of Jim Saxton, who resigned to take a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
* ↑ Palaia won a 1989 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Frank Pallone, who resigned to take his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
* ↑ Bennett won a 1989 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator S. Thomas Gagliano, who resigned to become the director of NJ Transit.
* ↑ Phillips was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Senator Richard Van Wagner, who resigned to join the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
* ↑ Schluter was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Dick Zimmer, who resigned to take his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in January 1991.
* ↑ Littell won a 1990 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Wayne Dumont, who retired in July 1990.
* ↑ Rice won a special November 1986 election to complete the unexpired term of John P. Caufield, who died in August 1986.
* ↑ Redistricted to 36th district, declined to challenge Senator Ambrosio.
* ↑ Menendez won a March 1991 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Christopher Jackman, who died.
* ↑ Girgenti won a 1990 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Frank X. Graves Jr., who died.
* ↑ McNamara won a November 1985 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Garrett Hagedorn, who died in August 1985.

### Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

* District 15, 1.8% gain
* District 4, 3.4% gain
* District 17, 4.0%
* District 36, 4.0% gain
* District 35, 6.4%
* District 2, 6.6%
* District 18, 7.0% gain
* District 7, 7.2% gain
* District 37, 7.2%

## District 1

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Ronald J. Casella | 3,037 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,037 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | James Cafiero (incumbent) | 6,690 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,690 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | James Cafiero (incumbent) | 31,624 | 62.0% |
| | Democratic | Ronald J. Casella | 19,404 | 38.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 51,028 | 100% |

## District 2

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Meg Worthington | 2,460 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,460 | 100% |

### Republican primary

* Domenic Cappella, Ventnor City Administrator
* William Gormley, incumbent Senator since 1982 and candidate for Governor in 1989

During the primary, the National Rifle Association spent over $58,000, through various political action committees and alongside the Coalition of New Jersey Sportsmen, to defeat Gormley as retaliation for his support of the 1990 firearms restrictions. Gormley was the only Republican in the Senate to support the bill, but his vote was decisive in its passage. Another group, the Committee for Sensible Government, which received more than $40,000 from the NRA, financed at least six mailings denouncing Gormley for his past opposition to tax rebates. The PAC's chairman, Buena Vista Township committeeman William Fennen, expressed broader opposition to Gormley on the grounds that he was moderate.

Gormley said he initially planned not to campaign, having won his last primary with 73.5 percent of the vote and not having any opponent in the early stages of the campaign against him.

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | William Gormley (incumbent) | 5,369 | 54.17% |
| | Republican | Domenic Cappella | 4,542 | 45.83% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,911 | 100% |

### General election

* Dolores Cooper, Assemblywoman from Linwood (Independent)
* William Gormley, incumbent Senator since 1982 and candidate for Governor in 1989 (Republican)
* Meg Worthington, Galloway Township council member since 1986 (Democratic)

Gormley faced another difficult challenge in the general election, where the N.R.A. gave $20,000 directly to the independent campaign of Republican Assemblywoman Dolores G. Cooper. Cooper ultimately dropped out of the race, but Gormley spent $350,000 to preserve his chances at re-election.

He prevailed by a much narrower margin than in 1987.

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | William Gormley (incumbent) | 22,731 | 53.3% |
| | Democratic | Meg Worthington | 19,908 | 46.7% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 42,639 | 100% |

## District 3

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Raymond Zane | 5,604 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,604 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | G. Erwin Sheppard (write-in) | 540 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 540 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Raymond Zane (incumbent) | 31,648 | 60.9% |
| | Republican | G. Erwin Sheppard | 16,600 | 32.0% |
| | No Party Deals | Frank L. Sorrentino | 3,683 | 7.1% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 51,931 | 100% |

## District 4

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Anthony S. Marsella | 6,294 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,294 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John J. Matheussen | 3,153 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,153 | 100% |

### General election

* John Matheussen, attorney (Republican)
* Anthony S. Marsella, Assemblyman (Democratic)

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John J. Matheussen | 21,553 | 51.7% |
| | Democratic | Anthony S. Marsella | 20,118 | 48.3% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 41,671 | 100% |

## District 5

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Walter Rand (incumbent) | 7,361 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,361 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Rev. Edwin A. Martinez | 1,811 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,811 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Walter Rand (incumbent) | 25,834 | 67.1% |
| | Republican | Rev. Edwin A. Martinez | 12,666 | 32.9% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 38,500 | 100% |

## District 6

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | John Adler | 3,621 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,621 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Lee B. Laskin (incumbent) | 4,407 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,407 | 100% |

### General election

* John Adler, Cherry Hill councilman and candidate for U.S. House in 1990
* Lee Laskin, incumbent Senator since 1977

John Adler was recruited to run against Senator Lee Laskin by Camden Democratic boss George Norcross. Norcross decided to target Laskin after the Senator refused to secure an appointment for Norcorss's father to the New Jersey Racing Commission. Norcross also sought to secure Democratic control on the county board of freeholders.

In a surprise move, Democrats began spending heavily in this race late. Within the final week, the party purchased $250,000 in television advertisements for Adler on Philadelphia stations. Steve DeMicco, executive director of the New Jersey Democratic Committee, called the move a "sneak attack" which had been planned in advance in light of polling showing that Laskin was vulnerable. Up to that point in the race, the Republican Party had not given any assistance to Laskin, either because he was seen as safe for re-election or because of his reputation as a political maverick within the party. He voted against every state budget during his time in office.

On election night, Laskin conceded by calling Adler a "slimeball." Adler responded, "Win or lose, [Laskin] stoops lower than he should," a reference to Laskin's exact same insult against his opponent Maria Barnaby Greenwald four years earlier.

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | John Adler | 31,289 | 55.4% |
| | Republican | Lee B. Laskin (incumbent) | 25,191 | 44.6% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 56,480 | 100% |

This would ultimately be the sole legislative seat gained by the Democrats in the 1991 elections; both Assembly incumbents in the district survived. Adler would go on to serve in the Senate until his 2008 election to the United States House of Representatives.

## District 7

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Thomas P. Foy (incumbent) | 6,238 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,238 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Bradford S. Smith | 3,219 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,219 | 100% |

### General election

* Thomas P. Foy, incumbent Senator since 1990 (Democratic)
* Bradford S. Smith, Burlington County Freeholder and former mayor of Cinnaminson (Republican)

The campaign in the 7th district followed the standard attacks on the Democratic record. Republicans, led by Smith, harped on the incumbents' refusal to sign a no-tax increase pledge and called for a complete audit of state government, a repeal of the $2.8 billion increase, and a repeal of the Quality Education Act. At one point during the campaign, the Republican candidates delivered three rubber chickens to the incumbent legislators' offices.

Foy did respond, claiming he would have signed the no-tax pledge if it had a clause allowing him to use his "best judgment."

Even on Election Day, the race was presumed safe. In reaction to his defeat, Foy said, "The impossible has happened." Smith said he was confident of victory because of the "tremendous support we have had going door-to-door."

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Bradford S. Smith | 26,892 | 53.6% |
| | Democratic | Thomas P. Foy (incumbent) | 23,290 | 46.4% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 50,182 | 100% |

## District 8

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Thomas P. Long | 2,290 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,290 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | C. William Haines (incumbent) | 5,528 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,528 | 100% |

### General election

* Harvey Dinerman, Medford operation supervisor (Democratic)
* C. William Haines, farmer and incumbent Senator since 1985 (Republican)

As expected, the Republican incumbent C. William Haines was easily re-elected in the 8th district. Despite redistricting stretching the district into Atlantic and Camden counties, the district remained overwhelmingly Republican. No Democrat had won the area since Assemblyman John Sweeney in the post-Watergate 1973 Democratic landslide.

Dinerman ran on a platform of disrupting Republican hegemony in the district and blaming the state's financial mess on Republican former Governor Thomas Kean.

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | C. William Haines (incumbent) | 28,850 | 66.3% |
| | Democratic | Harvey Dinerman | 14,644 | 33.7% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,494 | 100% |

## District 9

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Joseph Meglino | 4,172 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,172 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Leonard T. Connors (incumbent) | 9,327 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,327 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Leonard T. Connors (incumbent) | 42,914 | 69.9% |
| | Democratic | Joseph Meglino | 18,448 | 30.1% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 61,362 | 100% |

## District 10

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | John Paul Doyle | 3,310 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,310 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Andrew R. Ciesla | 4,570 | 58.60% |
| | Republican | Tom Blomquist | 3,229 | 41.40% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,799 | 100% |

### General election

* Andrew R. Ciesla, Brick Township councilman (Republican)
* John Paul Doyle, incumbent Assemblyman from Brick Township (Democratic)

This race pitted two Brick Township residents against each other. Ciesla ran hard on the generic Republican opposition to the Florio tax increase and Doyle's votes, as an Assemblyman, in favor of the tax package. Doyle countered that Ciesla was indecisive and that the Democratic program had allowed municipal governments to cut local property taxes, but avoided directly mentioning the tax package or Governor Florio.

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Andrew R. Ciesla | 34,711 | 61.6% |
| | Democratic | John Paul Doyle | 21,643 | 38.4% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 56,354 | 100% |

## District 11

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Gloria R. Filippione | 2,239 | 88.96% |
| | Democratic | Irwin Zucker | 278 | 11.04% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,517 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Joseph A. Palaia | 3,019 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,019 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Joseph A. Palaia | 35,349 | 65.2% |
| | Democratic | Gloria R. Filippone | 16,286 | 30.1% |
| | Non Lawyer | Thomas W. Appleby, Jr. | 1,738 | 3.2% |
| | Nonpartisan | Joshua Leinsdorf | 819 | 1.5% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 54,192 | 100% |

## District 12

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Joseph D. Youssouf | 3,165 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,165 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John O. Bennett (incumbent) | 4,340 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,340 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John O. Bennett (incumbent) | 36,629 | 67.2% |
| | Democratic | Joseph D. Youssouf | 15,151 | 27.8% |
| | Abortion Is Murder | Pat Daly | 1,760 | 3.2% |
| | Libertarian | Helen L. Radder | 941 | 1.7% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 54,481 | 100% |

## District 13

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | James T. Phillips (incumbent) | 3,525 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,525 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Joe Kyrillos | 3,167 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,167 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Joe Kyrillos | 34,547 | 67.8% |
| | Democratic | James T. Phillips (incumbent) | 16,437 | 32.2% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 50,984 | 100% |

## District 14

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Francis J. McManimon (incumbent) | 3,654 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,654 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Peter Inverso | 2,620 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,620 | 100% |

### General election

* Peter P. Garibaldi, former State Senator from Monroe Township (Independent)
* Peter Inverso, former Mercer County Freeholder (Republican)
* Francis J. McManimon, incumbent Senator since 1981 (Democratic)

This district was heavily redrawn following the 1990 census, replacing Franklin Township with Monroe Township and making it significantly more Republican. Nevertheless, the Florio administration argued that its blue-collar, conservative residents were those whom the tax package was most intended to help.

The candidacy of former Republican Senator Peter Garibaldi, a Monroe resident and former mayor, also had the potential draw votes away from Inverso, who had never campaigned outside of Mercer County.

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Peter Inverso | 30,367 | 54.6% |
| | Democratic | Francis J. McManimon (incumbent) | 20,496 | 36.8% |
| | Independent | Peter P. Garibaldi | 4,791 | 8.6% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 55,654 | 100% |

## District 15

### Democratic primary

* Richard N. Krajewski
* Gerald R. Stockman, incumbent Senator since 1982

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Gerald R. Stockman (incumbent) | 7,691 | 82.56% |
| | Democratic | Richard N. Krajewski | 1,625 | 17.44% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,316 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Dick LaRossa | 2,300 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,300 | 100% |

### General election

* Dick LaRossa, consultant and host of the televised New Jersey State Lottery drawing (Republican)
* Gerald R. Stockman, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)

This was the narrowest race of the year. The 15th district, based in Trenton, was heavily Democratic.

During the campaign, Stockman, who had sponsored the tax increase, defended it and referred to Republican proposals to repeal it as "snake oil." Stockman, the chair of the Senate County and Municipal Government Committee, had also sponsored a bill to reform tax assessment which critics said would create a mass exodus from larger cities, including Trenton.

LaRossa became the first Republican to represent Trenton since 1946, the year he was born.

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Dick LaRossa | 22,465 | 50.9% |
| | Democratic | Gerald R. Stockman (incumbent) | 21,672 | 49.1% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 44,137 | 100% |

## District 16

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Bonnie C. Sovinee | 2,302 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,302 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John H. Ewing | 8,757 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,757 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John H. Ewing | 33,059 | 68.4% |
| | Democratic | Bonnie C. Sovinee | 15,255 | 31.6% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,314 | 100% |

## District 17

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | John A. Lynch Jr. (incumbent) | 3,059 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,059 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Edward R. Tiller | 1,264 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,264 | 100% |

### General election

* John A. Lynch Jr., incumbent Senator since 1982 and President of the New Jersey Senate (Democratic)
* Edward Tiller (Republican)

This was the narrowest Democratic victory of the campaign; Lynch was serving as Senate President at the time and was opposed by the New Jersey Education Association, the state's primary public school union, for his sponsorship of the Quality Education Act and proposal to cap teachers' salaries. In response to union opposition, Lynch accused the NJEA of "hiding behind" schoolchildren to justify salary increases.

In announcing an almost exclusively Republican slate of legislative endorsements, the NJEA singled Lynch out for defeat by asking teachers to contribute "Ten for Tiller"—$10 each to Tiller's campaign.

During the campaign, Lynch accused Tiller of lying about his military service in Korea. Other mailers accused Tiller of lying about his educational background, business experience, and qualifications for office. Tiller accused Lynch in turn of being under federal investigation and of numerous connections to organized crime. One independent mailer read, "John Lynch is CONNECTED to the UNDERWORLD."

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | John A. Lynch Jr. (incumbent) | 17,053 | 52.0% |
| | Republican | Edward R. Tiller | 15,718 | 48.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,771 | 100% |

Lynch later sued Tiller and the NJEA for defamation. The complaint was dismissed after appeal to the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

## District 18

### Democratic primary

* Thomas H. Paterniti, incumbent Senator since 1988 and Mayor of Edison
* Harry S. Pozycki, attorney and former Metuchen councilman

Incumbent Senator Thomas Paterniti was challenged by Harry Pozycki in a rematch of their 1987 contest, which Paterniti narrowly won.

This was the most closely watched primary in the state; party officials estimated that each candidate spent $150,000 before primary election day.

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Harry S. Pozycki | 6,963 | 53.21% |
| | Democratic | Thomas H. Paterniti (incumbent) | 6,122 | 46.79% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,085 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Jack Sinagra | 2,064 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,064 | 100% |

### General election

* Harry S. Pozycki, former Metuchen councilman (Democratic)
* Jack Sinagra, mayor of East Brunswick (Republican)

Pozycki had an uphill campaign against the Florio tax package. Though he himself was not an incumbent, Pozycki's Assembly running mate George A. Spadoro had voted in favor of the package.

During the campaign, Sinagra proposed using turnpike funds to purchase NJ Transit.

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Jack Sinagra | 28,638 | 53.5% |
| | Democratic | Harry S. Pozycki | 24,889 | 46.5% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 53,527 | 100% |

## District 19

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Laurence S. Weiss (incumbent) | 7,459 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,459 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Randy Corman | 1,898 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,898 | 100% |

### General election

* Randy Corman, Sayreville councilman and assistant counsel to the Senate Republicans
* Laurence S. Weiss, incumbent Senator since 1978

This blue-collar district had long been safely Democratic, but was put in play by the 1990 tax increase. Senator Weiss, the long-time chairman of the Senate Finance, Revenue and Appropriations committee, faced particular scrutiny as one of the initial authors and key supporters of the tax increase. He said, "I'm in a targeted district, but I'm not the target—I'm the bullseye."

Corman publicly noted the tax issue was the center of his campaign: "There are other planks in my platform... But right now, the voters are concerned with taxes and I think Larry Weiss is more vulnerable than most Democrats." One Corman ad depicted Weiss, Assembly incumbent Thomas J. Deverin, and Governor Florio with the caption, "For two years, Florio, Weiss and Deverin have been laughing all the way to the bank. On Nov. 5th, you can wipe the smile off their faces."

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Randy Corman | 25,536 | 55.6% |
| | Democratic | Laurence S. Weiss (incumbent) | 20,396 | 44.4% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 45,932 | 100% |

After his defeat, Weiss pushed for repeal of the tax package he had helped write.

## District 20

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Raymond Lesniak (incumbent) | 7,402 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,402 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Jeffrey B. Cohen | 1,171 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,171 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Raymond Lesniak (incumbent) | 16,733 | 57.1% |
| | Republican | Jeffrey B. Cohen | 12,585 | 42.9% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,318 | 100% |

## District 21

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Kathy Mills | 3,242 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,242 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | C. Louis Bassano (incumbent) | 5,423 | % |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,423 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | C. Louis Bassano (incumbent) | 38,591 | 71.6% |
| | Democratic | Elly Manov | 15,311 | 28.4% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 53,902 | 100% |

## District 22

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | June Fischer | 2,413 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,413 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Donald DiFrancesco (incumbent) | 7,057 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,057 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Donald DiFrancesco (incumbent) | 32,872 | 78.2% |
| | Populist | John L. Kucek | 9,153 | 21.8% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 42,025 | 100% |

## District 23

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | George Goceljak | 2,380 | 69.92% |
| | Democratic | Dan Seyler | 1,024 | 30.08% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,404 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Bill Schluter | 8,242 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,242 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Bill Schluter | 34,936 | 72.4% |
| | Democratic | George Goceljak | 13,317 | 27.6% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,253 | 100% |

## District 24

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Frederick J. Katz Jr. | 1,937 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,937 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Robert Littell (incumbent) | 8,119 | 52.78% |
| | Republican | George T. Daggett | 7,264 | 47.22% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,383 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Robert Littell (incumbent) | 31,432 | 74.8% |
| | Democratic | Frederick J. Katz, Jr. | 7,216 | 17.2% |
| | Middle Class Alternative | Gary “Buzz” Howell | 3,363 | 8.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 42,011 | 100% |

## District 25

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Adele Montgomery | 3,240 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,240 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John H. Dorsey (incumbent) | 13,696 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,696 | 100% |

### General election

* John H. Dorsey, incumbent Senator since 1978 and Senate Minority Leader (Republican)
* Adele Montgomery (Democratic)

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John H. Dorsey (incumbent) | 31,268 | 71.7% |
| | Democratic | Adele Montgomery | 12,363 | 28.3% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,631 | 100% |

## District 26

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Drew Britcher | 1,850 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,850 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Leanna Brown (incumbent) | 8,357 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,357 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Leanna Brown (incumbent) | 34,063 | 78.2% |
| | Democratic | Drew Britcher | 9,514 | 21.8% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,577 | 100% |

## District 27

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Richard Codey (incumbent) | 8,568 | 60.89% |
| | Democratic | Mildred Barry Garvin | 5,504 | 39.11% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,072 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Charles F. Cefalu | 1,476 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,476 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Richard Codey (incumbent) | 19,677 | 68.1% |
| | Republican | Eugene J. Byrne | 9,202 | 31.9% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,879 | 100% |

## District 28

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Ronald Rice (incumbent) | 6,611 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,611 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Brenda Jean-Pierre | 1,085 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,085 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Ronald Rice (incumbent) | 15,456 | 67.2% |
| | Republican | Brenda Jean-Pierre | 6,876 | 29.9% |
| | Socialist Workers | Rachel H. Knapik | 666 | 2.9% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,998 | 100% |

## District 29

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Wynona Lipman (incumbent) | 7,656 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,656 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Wynona Lipman (incumbent) | 14,911 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,911 | 100% |

## District 30

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Neil J. O'Connell | 2,529 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,529 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John E. Dimon | 3,862 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,862 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John E. Dimon | 26,651 | 65.0% |
| | Democratic | Neil J. O’Connell | 14,345 | 35.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,996 | 100% |

## District 31

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (incumbent) | 8,221 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,221 | 100% |

### Republican primary

* Bret Schundler, Salomon Brothers investment banker
* Peter Varsalona, United States Marine Corps veteran

Bret Schundler, who served as New Jersey coordinator for Gary Hart's 1984 presidential campaign, switched his party registration to run as a Republican.

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Bret Schundler | 738 | 62.60% |
| | Republican | Peter Varsalona | 441 | 37.40% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,179 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (incumbent) | 16,719 | 55.1% |
| | Republican | Bret Schundler | 13,601 | 44.9% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,320 | 100% |

## District 32

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Thomas F. Cowan (incumbent) | 10,968 | 89.58% |
| | Democratic | Ralph Valentin | 1,276 | 10.42% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,244 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Guy Catrillo | 1,533 | 59.74% |
| | Republican | Esmat Zaklama | 1,033 | 40.26% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,566 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Thomas F. Cowan (incumbent) | 21,128 | 57.1% |
| | Republican | Guy Catrillo | 14,577 | 39.4% |
| | Politicians Are Crooks | Herbert H. Shaw | 1,270 | 3.4% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,975 | 100% |

## District 33

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Bob Menendez | 8,005 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,005 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Carlos Munoz | 1,294 | 53.03% |
| | Republican | Reinaldo Fernandez | 1,146 | 46.97% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,440 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Bob Menendez (incumbent) | 19,151 | 68.9% |
| | Republican | Carlos Munoz | 8,652 | 31.1% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 27,803 | 100% |

## District 34

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Joseph A. Mecca | 2,739 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,739 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Joseph Bubba (incumbent) | 3,395 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,395 | 100% |

### General election

* Joseph Bubba, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
* Joseph A. Mecca, Assemblyman from Totowa (Democratic)
* Newton E. Miller, mayor of Wayne and former Assemblyman (Unbossed, Unbiased, Unbought)

Joseph Bubba was seen as a rare vulnerable incumbent Republican, partly due to Mecca's name recognition in the district and the independent candidacy of Republican Wayne mayor Newton Miller.

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Joseph Bubba (incumbent) | 25,885 | 52.5% |
| | Democratic | Joseph A. Mecca | 17,237 | 35.0% |
| | Independent | Newton E. Miller | 6,193 | 12.6% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 49,315 | 100% |

## District 35

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | John Girgenti | | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100% |

### Republican primary

* Pat Kramer, former mayor of Paterson
* Walter W. Porter Jr., Passaic County freeholder

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | % |
| - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Pat Kramer | % |
| | Republican | Walter W. Porter | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 100% |

### General election

* John Girgenti, incumbent Senator since 1990 (Democratic)
* Pat Kramer, former mayor of Paterson (Republican)

Because one of the district's two Assembly members, Frank Catania, was a Republican, this district was seen as potentially competitive before the primary. Girgenti had won a special district party convention in 1990 to fill the seat left vacant by Senator Frank X. Graves Jr.

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | John Girgenti | 15,859 | 53.2% |
| | Republican | Pat Kramer | 13,965 | 46.8% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,824 | 100% |

## District 36

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Gabriel M. Ambrosio (incumbent) | 3,987 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,987 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John P. Scott | 2,077 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,077 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | John P. Scott | 21,455 | 52.0% |
| | Democratic | Gabriel M. Ambrosio (incumbent) | 19,775 | 48.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 41,230 | 100% |

## District 37

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Matthew Feldman | 3,358 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,358 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Todd Caliguire | 1,690 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,690 | 100% |

### General election

* Todd Caliguire, former aide to Thomas Kean and W. Cary Edwards (Republican)
* Matthew Feldman, incumbent Senator since 1974 and former Senate President (Democratic)
* ↑ Feldman previously served in the Senate from 1966 to 1968.

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Matthew Feldman (incumbent) | 24,309 | 53.6% |
| | Republican | Todd Caliguire | 21,045 | 46.4% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 45,354 | 100% |

## District 38

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Paul Contillo | 3,215 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,215 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Louis F. Kosco | 2,891 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,891 | 100% |

### General election

Though all of the Bergen County districts were considered difficult to handicap due to redistricting, the 38th district was seen as among the closest, despite the fact that incumbent Paul Contillo voted against the Florio tax program.

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Louis F. Kosco | 27,748 | 55.4% |
| | Democratic | Paul Contillo (incumbent) | 20,572 | 41.1% |
| | Taxpayers Only Choice | C. Fischer | 1,773 | 3.5% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 50,093 | 100% |

## District 39

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Mary Donohue | 1,781 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,781 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Gerald Cardinale (incumbent) | 3,066 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,066 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Gerald Cardinale (incumbent) | 37,135 | 66.9% |
| | Democratic | Mary Donohue | 18,336 | 33.1% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 55,471 | 100% |

## District 40

### Democratic primary

1991 Democratic primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Democratic | Frank R. Lucas Jr. | 1,560 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,560 | 100% |

### Republican primary

1991 Republican primary :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Henry McNamara (incumbent) | 3,781 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,781 | 100% |

### General election

1991 general election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Republican | Henry McNamara (incumbent) | 36,666 | 75.5% |
| | Democratic | Frank R. Lucas | 11,884 | 24.5% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,550 | 100% |
