2000 United States Senate election in New Jersey

none March 2026 September 2023 2000 United States Senate election in New Jersey New Jersey presidential no 1994 United States Senate election in New Jersey 1994 2006 United States Senate election in New Jersey 2006 November 7, 2000 70%https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/other/2022-1925-general-election-data.pdf General Election Data - 1924 to 2022 NJ.gov ( 15pp) 150x150px SenatorJonCorzine (cropped).jpg Jon Corzine Democratic Party (United States) 1,511,237 50.11% Congressman Bob Franks.jpg Bob Franks Republican Party (United States) 1,420,267 47.10% 280px County results 280px Congressional district results Corzine: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% Franks: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg Democratic Party (United States) Jon Corzine Democratic Party (United States) The 2000 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg retired rather than seeking a fourth term. Democratic nominee Jon Corzine, former CEO of Goldman Sachs, defeated the Republican U.S. Representative Bob Franks in a close election. In prior years, this election was expected to pit the incumbent, Lautenberg, against popular Republican governor Christine Todd Whitman. Lautenberg unexpectedly announced his retirement from the Senate in February 1999, leaving the race open. Whitman announced in April that she would form a campaign committee to enter the race in earnest; however, she stunned political observers in September 1999 by announcing that she would withdraw from the race, citing fundraising concerns. Primary elections were held on June 7. Corzine defeated former governor Jim Florio in the Democratic primary by a wide margin after a hard-fought campaign, in which Corzine spent over $35 million of his own money. Franks narrowly defeated state senator Bill Gormley to capture the Republican nomination. In the general election, Corzine continued to spend freely to advertise his campaign and establish political support. Ultimately, he defeated Franks by approximately three percent of the total vote. Background Incumbent U.S. senator Frank R. Lautenberg was elected in 1982 in an upset victory over U.S. representative Millicent Fenwick. In his two re-election bids, Lautenberg beat Pete Dawkins in 1988 with 54 percent of the vote and held back a challenge from New Jersey General Assembly speaker Chuck Haytaian by a smaller margin in 1994. New Jersey had not elected a Republican to the United States Senate since 1972. For most of 1998 and 1999, speculation centered on popular Republican governor Christine Todd Whitman, who had run a surprisingly strong campaign for the state's other Senate seat in 1990. After a February 1999 poll by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute indicated that Whitman would defeat Lautenberg by a wide margin, as would former Republican governor Thomas Kean, Lautenberg unexpectedly announced that he would retire rather than seek a fourth term in office, leaving the seat open.Preston Jennifer Some Look to Move Up, Others to Come Back https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1999/02/18/396427.html?pageNumber=32 25 August 2025 The New York Times February 18, 1999 enThe New York Times Editorial Board Mr. Lautenberg Bows Out https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1999/02/18/396087.html?pageNumber=20 25 August 2025 The New York Times February 18, 1999 20 en In her initial response to Lautenberg's announcement, Whitman told reporters that she was "seriously considering all of [her] options." Lautenberg later regretted his decision not to runMarch 2020 and was elected to New Jersey's other Senate seat in 2002 after his former colleague, Robert Torricelli, prematurely ended his re-election campaign in disgrace. background:#cff Hypothetical polling with Lautenberg (April 1998 to January 1999) border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ChristineWhitman (R) TomKean (R) FrankLautenberg (D) Undecided Quinnipiachttps://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=763 August 25, 2025 Whitman-Lautenberg Would Tie In Jersey Senate Race, Quinnipiac College Poll Finds; Bradley Gets A Good Look In Run For President April 23, 1998 Quinnipiaac Poll April 15–20, 1998 860 RV ±3.3% 44% – 45% 11%Rutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025 January 7–13, 1999 623 RV ±4.0% 40% – 42% 18%Quinnipiac February 3–8, 1999 860 RV ±3.3% 50% – 41% 9% – 46% 42% 12% On April 8, 1999, Whitman filed a campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission in order to raise funds for a potential race. In her announcement, Whitman said, "This is not an exploratory committee. This is a campaign committee. I am obviously very serious about contemplating this run and moving forward." She emphasized that she would focus on "being governor" and refrain from campaign until 2000.Gov. Whitman moves toward Senate race https://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/04/08/senate.2000/whitman/ 25 August 2025 CNN AllPolitics April 8, 1999 Trenton, New Jersey Her campaign committee was chaired by prominent fundraisers Lewis Eisenberg and Candace Straight, and Whitman was also expected to rely on her large family fortune to fund her campaign. On September 8, despite a consistently large lead in public opinion polling, Whitman stunned observers by announcing at a public news conference at the New Jersey State House that she no longer planned to run. She said that she had made the decision on a recent family vacation, after determining that the race would be "a distraction from finishing the work New Jersey voters had asked me to complete."Zielbauer Paul Citing Money, Whitman Decides She Won't Run for U.S. Senate https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/08/nyregion/citing-money-whitman-decides-she-won-t-run-for-us-senate.html 25 August 2025 The New York Times September 8, 1999 She also cited concerns regarding "the amount of money that needs to be raised and just the time that it takes to do it." Privately, Whitman had reportedly factored in the burden of outspending Jon Corzine, who had promised to spend any amount necessary to win the race and had a personal fortune estimated at over $300 million and had already given his campaign $500,000 in direct funding. Whitman advisers were reportedly surprised by the decision, since the campaign had raised approximately $2.3 million since her committee was announced. She explicitly denied rumors that she had withdrawn due to health concerns or to be nominated for vice president as a running mate to George W. Bush. Bush publicly expressed his surprise and regret at her withdrawal. Paul von Zielbauer of The New York Times noted that despite her wide lead, Whitman had won her two campaigns for governor by narrow margins and had never been on the ballot in a presidential election year, when Democratic voters typically turned out in larger numbers. Growing scrutiny of the use of racial profiling by the New Jersey State Police may also have contributed to her decision not to run. The Whitman announcement immediately reversed the outlook for the two major political parties. Republicans admitted that Whitman's decision left them without a clear front-runner for their nomination, while the two Democratic candidates, Corzine and Jim Florio, both predicted that the Democratic primary would determine the election. background:#cff Hypothetical polling with Whitman (March to July 1999) border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ChristineWhitman (R) JimFlorio (D) FrankPallone (D) ThomasByrne (D) JonCorzine (D) BobGrant (I) UndecidedQuinnipiachttps://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=695 August 25, 2025 Whitman Tops Lautenberg In Senate Matchup, Quinnipiac College Poll Finds; Most Don't Believe Tax Rebate Will Last February 12, 1999 Quinnipiac Poll March 23–29, 1999 984 RV ±3.1% 51% 35% – – – – 14% 50% – 29% – – – 21%Rutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025 April 28–May 6, 1999 623 RV ±4.0% 46% 39% – – – – 15% 46% – 35% – – – 18% 46% – – 34% – – 20%Quinnipiachttps://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=698 August 25, 2025 Florio Inches Up On Whitman In Senate Race, Quinnipiac College Poll Finds; Bob Grant And Other Candidates Barely Register June 9, 1999 Quinnipiac Poll June 2–7, 1999 1,109 RV ±2.9% 50% 38% – – – – 12%Quinnipiachttps://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=700 August 25, 2025 Men, Women Back Whitman Over Florio In Senate Race, Quinnipiac College Poll Finds; Bob Grant Would Cut Slightly Into Whitman Lead July 22, 1999 Quinnipiac Poll July 13–20, 1999 1,082 RV ±3.0% 52% 35% – – – – 13% 46% 32% – – – 11% 11% 56% – – – 22% – 22% 52% – – – 17% 11% 21% Democratic primary Candidates Jon Corzine, former CFO and senior partner of Goldman Sachs James Florio, former Governor of New Jersey and U.S. representative Declined B. Thomas Byrne, former chair of the New Jersey Democratic Committee and son of governor Brendan Byrne Hillary Rodham Clinton, First Lady of the United States (ran for U.S. Senate in New York) Neil M. Cohen, assemblyman from Roselle Frank Lautenberg, incumbent U.S. senator since 1982 (declined February 1999) Susan Bass Levin, mayor of Cherry Hill (ran for U.S. House) Bob Menendez, U.S. representative from Union City (ran for re-election) Bob Smith, assemblyman from Piscataway and candidate for U.S. House in 1992 Frank Pallone, U.S. representative from Long Branch (ran for re-election) Steve Rothman, U.S. representative from Fair Lawn (ran for re-election) Campaign Following Lautenberg's announced retirement, several candidates publicly considered campaigns. The leading contender was U.S. representative Bob Menendez, who had considered campaigns for Senate in 1996 and governor in 1997 before ultimately declining to run. Menendez had recently been elected to House leadership and had raised $1.5 million in anticipation of Lautenberg's retirement, though he had stopped his fundraising efforts in 1998 in an effort to preserve party unity. However, Menendez did not enter the race. The field ultimately narrowed to Jim Florio, the former governor who had been defeated by Whitman in 1993, and Jon Corzine, a former Goldman Sachs executive who spent freely to secure the nomination. Privately, party leaders questioned the desirability of running Florio, since they preferred to support a new face for the nomination. Corzine spent $35 million of his fortunes into this primary election alone.https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/13/nyregion/franks-accuses-corzine-of-trying-to-buy-his-way-into-senate-seat.html The New York Times David M. Halbfinger Franks Accuses Corzine of Trying To Buy His Way Into Senate Seat October 13, 2000https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/13/nyregion/franks-and-corzine-debate-race-education-and-disclosure.html The New York Times Franks and Corzine Debate Race, Education and Disclosure October 13, 2000 During the campaign, Corzine made a number of controversial off-color statements. Emanuel Alfano, chairman of the Italian-American One Voice Committee, claimed that when introduced to a man with an Italian name who said he was in the construction business, Corzine quipped, "Oh, you make cement shoes!" Alfano also reported that when introduced to a lawyer named David Stein, Corzine said, "He's not Italian, is he? Oh, I guess he's your Jewish lawyer who is here to get the rest of you out of jail."Halbfinger, David M. March 30, 2000 Corzine Assailed for Joke About Italian-Americans New York Times https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEFDC153CF933A05750C0A9669C8B63 July 29, 2008 Corzine denied mentioning religion, but did not deny the quip about Italians, claiming that some of his own ancestors were probably Italian or maybe French.Adubato, Steve Good Faith Politics http://www.stand-deliver.com/star_ledger/goodfaith.asp dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081016123234/http://www.stand-deliver.com/star_ledger/goodfaith.asp October 16, 2008 July 20, 2008 The Star-Ledger mdy-allPeterson, Iver April 9, 2000 Around Jon Corzine's Roots, a Casual Indifference to Ethnicity The New York Times https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C04E2DC1F3FF93AA35757C0A9669C8B63 July 20, 2008 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JamesFlorio JonCorzine UndecidedQuinnipiacQuinnipiac July 13–20, 1999 1,082 RV ± 3.0% 55% 19% 26%Quinnipiac February 16–21, 2000 374 RV ± 5.1% 57% 22% 21%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac March 21–27, 2000 400 RV ± 4.9% 50% 26% 24%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac May 1–8, 2000 347 RV ± 5.3% 33% 48% 19%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac May 17–23, 2000 371 LV ± 5.1% 30% 56% 14% Endorsements Corzine was endorsed by State Senators Raymond Zane, Wayne Bryant, and John Adler. He was also endorsed by U.S. Representative Bob Menendez and U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli. Florio was endorsed by the New Jersey Democratic Party, Assemblyman Joseph Doria and State Senator John A. Lynch Jr. Results 2000 Democratic Senate primaryhttp://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=18313 Our Campaigns - NJ US Senate - D Primary Race - Jun 07, 2000 Democratic Party (United States) Jon Corzine 251,216 57.96% Democratic Party (United States) James Florio 182,212 42.04% 433,428 100.00% Republican primary Candidates William Gormley, state senator from Mays LandingHalbfinger David M. Fifth Republican Enters Race for the U.S. Senate https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/16/nyregion/fifth-republican-enters-race-for-the-us-senate.html The New York TImes 26 August 2025 Bob Franks, U.S. representative from Summit Murray Sabrin, Ramapo College professor and Libertarian Party nominee for governor in 1997 James Treffinger, Essex County Executive and former mayor of Verona Withdrew Brian T. Kennedy, former state senator from Sea Girt and perennial candidateKocieniewski David In New Jersey, Both Parties Find Tumult in Senate Primaries https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/31/nyregion/in-new-jersey-both-parties-find-tumult-in-senate-primaries.html 26 August 2025 The New York Times January 31, 2000 Christine Todd Whitman, governor of New Jersey since 1994 (formed campaign committee April 8, 1999; withdrew September 7, 1999) Declined Jack Collins, speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly Lewis Eisenberg, chair of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and chair of the Whitman campaign Steve Forbes, publisher of Forbes and candidate for president in 1996 (ran for president) Thomas Kean, former governor of New Jersey Frank LoBiondo, U.S. representative from Vineland (ran for re-election) Marge Roukema, U.S. representative from Ridgewood (ran for re-election) Dick Zimmer, former U.S. representative from Delaware Township and nominee for U.S. Senate in 1996 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MurraySabrin BobFranks JamesTreffinger WilliamGormley BrianKennedy UndecidedQuinnipiacQuinnipiac https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120359/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=570 2015-09-24 March 21–27, 2000 348 RV ± 5.3% 5% 14% 7% 9% 6% 59%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120400/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=572 2015-09-24 May 1–8, 2000 311 RV ± 5.6% 5% 18% 8% 14% - 55% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror SteveForbes MurraySabrin BobFranks JamesTreffinger WilliamGormley UndecidedQuinnipiacQuinnipiac https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120357/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=568 2015-09-24 February 16–21, 2000 307 RV ± 5.6% 33% 4% 8% 5% 10% 40% Results 2000 New Jersey U.S. Senate Republican primary election Republican Party (United States) Bob Franks 98,370 35.7% Republican Party (United States) William Gormley 94,010 34.1% Republican Party (United States) James W. Treffinger 48,674 17.7% Republican Party (United States) Murray Sabrin 34,629 12.6% 275,683 100.00% General election Candidates Bruce Afran (Green) Dennis A. Breen (Independent) J.M. Carter (Trust In God) Jon Corzine, former CFO of Goldman Sachs (Democratic) Pat DiNizio, lead singer of The Smithereens (Reform) Emerson Ellett (Libertarian) Bob Franks, U.S. Representative from Summit (Republican) George Gostigian (God Bless NJ) Lorraine LaNeve (Conservative) Gregory Pason (Socialist) Nancy Rosenstock (Socialist Workers) Declined Bob Grant, conservative talk radio host Campaign Franks, a moderate Republican,http://diplomatdc.wordpress.com/2010/04/11/former-rep-bob-franks-dies-at-58-lost-u-s-senate-race-but-ideas-triumphed-by-gregory-hilton/ Former Rep. Bob Franks Dies at 58: Lost U.S. Senate Race but Ideas Triumphed by Gregory Hilton 11 April 2010 June 23, 2011 March 16, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120316175827/http://diplomatdc.wordpress.com/2010/04/11/former-rep-bob-franks-dies-at-58-lost-u-s-senate-race-but-ideas-triumphed-by-gregory-hilton/ dead attacked Corzine for "trying to buy the election and of advocating big-government spending programs that the nation can ill afford." Corzine accused Franks of wanting to "dismantle" the Social Security system because he supported Governor George W. Bush's partial privatization plan.https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/13/nyregion/franks-accuses-corzine-of-trying-to-buy-his-way-into-senate-seat.html?pagewanted=3&src=pm The New York Times Franks Accuses Corzine of Trying To Buy His Way Into Senate Seat October 13, 2000 During the campaign, Corzine refused to release his income tax return records. He claimed an interest in doing so, but he cited a confidentiality agreement with Goldman Sachs. Skeptics argued that he should have followed the example of his predecessor Robert Rubin, who converted his equity stake into debt upon leaving Goldman.http://www.newsweek.com/id/85856 The High Price Of Chutzpah: Cheney And Corzine May Be Pushing The Ethical Envelope On Conflict-Of-Interest Rules. That's More Than Daring—It's -Just Plain Galling July 19, 2008 August 28, 2000 Newsweek, Inc. Newsweek Corzine campaigned for state government programs including universal health care, universal gun registration, mandatory public preschool, and more taxpayer funding for college education.http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,46866,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20101122075317/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,46866,00.html dead November 22, 2010 Who Wants to Vote for a Multimillionaire? July 17, 2008 June 7, 2000 Time Inc. Time Derer, Mikehttp://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,998535,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20101122102740/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,998535,00.html dead November 22, 2010 New Faces In The Senate July 18, 2008 November 20, 2000 Time Inc. Time Morse, Jodie Nadya Labi Michel Orecklin He pushed affirmative action and same-sex marriage.http://www.newsweek.com/id/85070 The New Jersey Purchase: Jon Corzine's $36 Million Campaign For The Senate July 19, 2008 June 12, 2000 Newsweek, Inc. Newsweek Hosenball, Mark David Brooks considered Corzine so liberal that although his predecessor was also a Democrat, his election helped shift the Senate to the left.http://www.newsweek.com/id/104969 Surviving The Coming Clash: With The Left Feeling Frisky, Conservatives Need To Watch Their Step If They Want To Have Their Way. It's Time To Be Patient. July 20, 2008 December 25, 2000 Newsweek, Inc. Newsweek Brooks, David Corzine was accused of exchanging donations to black ministers for their endorsements after a foundation controlled by him and his wife donated $25,000 to an influential black church.Ingle pp. 62–63. Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, the director of the Black Ministers Council, and a notable advocate against racial profiling against minority drivers in traffic stops, was criticized for endorsing Corzine after receiving a large donation from the then candidate.Jacob, Andrew https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9405E0D7153BF933A1575AC0A9669C8B63 Black Minister Criticized for Taking Corzine's Money New York Times August 27, 2008 September 20, 2000 https://archive.today/20120716031705/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9405E0D7153BF933A1575AC0A9669C8B63 July 16, 2012 dead mdy-all Franks generally trailed Corzine in the polls until the final week, when he pulled even in a few polls. Corzine spent $63 million, while Franks spent only $6 million.https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/nyregion/11franks.html?adxnnl=1&ref=bobfranks&adxnnlx=1308790854-1RxP4ccR3G8T3bZ6s8UEAQ The New York Times Diane Cardwell Robert Franks, Former New Jersey Congressman, Dies April 10, 2010 Debates Complete video of debate, October 7, 2000 Complete video of debate, October 8, 2000 Complete video of debate, October 13, 2000 Complete video of debate, October 20, 2000 Polling Poll sourceDate(s)Sample sizeMargin of errorJon Corzine (D)Bob Franks (R)Other / undecidedCalculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined. pollingRutgers-Eagleton Institute of PoliticsRutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025September 15–21, 1999560 LV±4.0%24%30% 47%Rutgers-Eagleton Institute of PoliticsSeptember 2025February 28–March 9, 2000626 LV±4.0%24%25% 51%Rutgers-Eagleton Institute of PoliticsSeptember 2025June 8–13, 2000579 RV±4.0% 43%33%23%442 LV±5.0% 43%36%20%Quinnipiac University Polling InstituteQuinnipiac https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120404/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=574 2015-09-24 June 20–26, 20001,004 RV± 3.1% 46%26%28%Quinnipiac University Polling InstituteQuinnipiac https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120406/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=577 2015-09-24 July 19–24, 2000910 RV± 3.3% 50%30%20%Quinnipiac University Polling InstituteQuinnipiac https://web.archive.org/web/20140518050723/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/news-and-events/quinnipiac-university-poll/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=580 2014-05-18 August 18–22, 2000802 RV± 3.5% 43%35%22%Rutgers-Eagleton Institute of PoliticsSeptember 2025September 6–13, 2000670 RV±4.0% 47%32%21%542 LV±4.5% 45%36%19%Quinnipiac University Polling InstituteQuinnipiac Poll Corzine Tops Franks Among New Jersey Likely Voters, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Wealthy Candidate Spending Is Non-Issue, Voters Say https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=580 October 4, 2000 August 28, 2025September 26–Oct. 1, 2000820 LV± 3.4% 48%34%18%1,045 RV± 3.0% 44%30%20%Rutgers-Eagleton Institute of Politicshttps://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/18/nyregion/poll-finds-corzine-spending-is-not-a-problem-for-voters.html Poll Finds Corzine Spending is Not a Problem for Voters The New York Times 18 October 2000 David M Halbfinger subscriptionOctober 12–15, 2000482 RV±4.5% 45%33%22%367 LV±5.5% 45%37%18%Quinnipiac University Polling Institutehttps://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=581 October 25, 2000 August 28, 2025 Franks Closes Gap With Corzine In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Most Voters Voice Concern With Corzine SpendingOctober 18–23, 2000909 LV± 3.3% 46%41%13%Rutgers-Eagleton Institute of PoliticsFiveThirtyEight's Pollster Ratings Raw Polls File https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fivethirtyeight/data/refs/heads/master/pollster-ratings/2023/raw-polls.csv October 15, 2026 GitHub FiveThirtyEightOctober 23–26, 2000432 LV±4.5%49%39%12%SurveyUSAOctober 25, 2000500—50%42%8%Monmouth UniversityOctober 27, 2000575—39%35%26%Quinnipiac University Polling Institutehttps://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=583 November 1, 2000 August 28, 2025 Corzine Leads Franks 47 - 39 In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Undecided Independents Are Key To Final ResultOctober 24–30, 2000793 LV± 3.5%47%39%14%Rasmussen ReportsOctober 30, 2000594—46%42%12%Tarrance Group (R)Poll conducted for Bob Franks. pollingNovember 1, 2000500—40%44%16%Harris Insights & AnalyticsNovember 3, 20007,193—49%45%4%Monmouth UniversityNovember 3, 2000843—41%36%23%Quinnipiac University Polling Institutehttps://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=585 November 6, 2000 August 28, 2025 Corzine-Franks New Jersey Race Too Close To Call, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Gore Leads Bush 49-41 PercentNovember 1–5, 2000770 LV± 3.4%43%45%12%Rasmussen ReportsNovember 5, 2000637—43%44%13% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror Bob Franks (R) 1 Bill Gormley (R) 1 Jim Treffinger (R) 1 Jim Florio (D) 1 Frank Pallone (D) 1 Thomas Byrne (D) 1 Jon Corinze (D) 1 Undecided 1Rutgers-EagletonSeptember 15–21, 1999560 RV±4.0%31%––––29%–41%–31%––––24%45%34%–– 41%–––26%–33%– 41%–––18%––33% 41%–––18%Rutgers-EagletonFebruary 28–March 9, 2000626 RV±4.0%–27%––––23%50%–21%––––24%55%33%–– 36%–––31%–32%– 37%–––31%––31% 36%–––33% Results Despite being heavily outspent, Franks lost by only three percentage points, doing better that year than Republican Governor George W. Bush in the presidential election, who obtained just 40.29% of the vote in the state.Newman Maria November 10, 2000 After His Defeat, Franks Looks to the Future The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/10/nyregion/after-his-defeat-franks-looks-to-the-future.html General election resultshttp://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2000/2000Stat.htm Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Party (United States) Jon Corzine 1,511,237 50.11% 0.18 Republican Party (United States) Bob Franks 1,420,267 47.10% 0.08 Green Party (United States) Bruce Afran 32,841 1.09% N/A Reform Party (United States) Pat DiNizio 19,312 0.64% N/A Libertarian Party (United States) Emerson Ellett 7,241 0.24% +.44% Independent (United States) Dennis A. Breen 6,061 0.20% N/A Trust in God J.M. Carter 5,657 0.19% N/A New Jersey Conservative Party Lorraine LaNeve 3,836 0.13% N/A Socialist Party USA Gregory Pason 3,365 0.11% 0.35 Socialist Workers Party (United States) Nancy Rosenstock 3,309 0.11% 0.07 God Bless Jersey George Gostigian 2,536 0.08% N/A 90,970 3.01% -.26% 3,015,662 100.0% N/A Democratic Party (United States) By county County2000 Senate Election (Official Returns) Commonwealth of New Jersey by county https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2000/2000-general-elect-senate-candidate-tallies.pdf Jon CorzineDecember Bob FranksRepublican Various candidatesOther parties Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Atlantic 42,146 50.37% 39,738 47.49% 1,791 2.14% 2,408 2.88% 83,675 Bergen 171,017 48.64% 174,949 49.75% 5,658 1.61% -3,932 -1.11% 351,624 Burlington 80,119 48.59% 83,840 50.85% 929 0.56% -3,721 -2.26% 164,888 Camden 103,179 56.65% 74,620 40.97% 4,338 2.38% 28,559 15.68% 182,137 Cape May 16,781 37.84% 26,665 60.12% 906 2.04% -9,884 -22.28% 44,352 Cumberland 21,581 50.26% 19,698 45.88% 1,657 3.86% 1,883 4.38% 42,936 Essex 170,756 68.36% 73,757 29.53% 5,263 2.11% 96,999 38.83% 249,776 Gloucester 49,802 48.08% 49,660 47.95% 4,115 3.97% 142 0.13% 103,577 Hudson 112,502 70.15% 43,820 27.32% 4,062 2.53% 68,682 42.83% 160,384 Hunterdon 17,796 32.74% 34,468 63.41% 2,091 3.85% -16,672 -30.67% 54,355 Mercer 72,250 56.00% 53,542 41.50% 3,236 2.50% 18,708 14.50% 129,028 Middlesex 132,476 54.06% 104,652 42.71% 7,918 3.23% 27,824 11.35% 245,046 Monmouth 109,282 45.09% 123,447 50.94% 9,624 3.97% -14,165 -5.85% 242,353 Morris 69,889 36.03% 118,283 60.97% 5,817 3.00% -48,394 -24.94% 193,989 Ocean 82,596 40.23% 115,686 56.35% 7,013 3.42% -33,090 -16.12% 205,295 Passaic 75,378 52.53% 63,460 44.23% 4,646 3.24% 11,918 8.30% 143,484 Salem 11,566 43.54% 13,900 52.32% 1,101 4.14% -2,334 -8.78% 26,567 Somerset 45,948 39.00% 69,045 58.61% 2,811 2.39% -23,097 -19.61% 117,804 Sussex 18,453 32.44% 35,740 62.83% 2,694 4.74% -17,287 -30.39% 56,887 Union 93,879 53.67% 77,111 44.08% 3,939 2.25% 16,768 9.59% 174,929 Warren 13,841 34.64% 24,186 60.53% 1,932 4.83% -10,345 -25.89% 39,959Totals1,511,23750.11%1,420,26747.10%84,1583.01%90,9702.79%3,015,662 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Bergen (largest municipality: Hackensack) Burlington (largest municipality: Evesham Township) right 280px Swing by county 280px Trend relative to the state by county Legend #d40000 Republican — >15% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5−15% #ff2a2a Republican — +10−12.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5−10% #ff8080 Republican — +5−7.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5−5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0−2.5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0−2.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5−5% #77e3ff Democratic — +5−7.5% #4bdbff Democratic — +7.5-10% #09ceff Democratic — +10−12.5% #00bdec Democratic — +12.5−15% #00a1c8 Democratic — >15% 280px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold Republican #f48882 Hold #ca0120 Flip See also 2000 United States Senate elections Notes References External links Candidates at Vote Smart Campaign finance at FEC Campaign finance at OpenSecrets Official campaign websites (archived) Jon Corzine Bob Franks 2000 New Jersey Category:2000 New Jersey elections