1978 United States Senate election in New Jersey

none March 2026 September 2025 September 2023 1978 United States Senate election in New Jersey New Jersey Presidential no 57%https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/other/2022-1925-general-election-data.pdf General Election Data - 1924 to 2022 NJ.gov ( 27pp) 1972 United States Senate election in New Jersey 1972 1984 United States Senate election in New Jersey 1984 November 7, 1978 File:Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ) (1).jpg 150x150px Bill Bradley Democratic Party (United States) 1,082,960 55.32% File:Jeff Bell, 2014 (cropped).JPG Jeff Bell Republican Party (United States) 844,200 43.13% 1978 United States Senate election in New Jersey results map by county.svg 280px County resultsBradley: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80%Bell: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% U.S. Senator Clifford P. Case Republican Party (United States) Bill Bradley Democratic Party (United States) The 1978 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Senator Clifford P. Case ran for re-election to a fifth term in office, narrowly losing the Republican primary by anti-tax conservative Jeff Bell, who lost the general election to Democrat Bill Bradley. Bell was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for this seat again in 2014. Primary elections were held on June 6, 1978.https://nj.gov/state/elections/1920-1970-results/1978-primary-election.pdf 1978 Primary Election Results Secretary of State of New Jersey 1978 November 12, 2018 July 21, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130721162641/http://nj.gov/state/elections/1920-1970-results/1978-primary-election.pdf dead Case was defeated by Bell, a political novice forty years his junior, while Bradley easily won the Democratic primary over State Treasurer Richard Leone and state senator Alexander Menza. This was the first time Democrats won this seat since 1936, and the first time since 1938 that Democrats held both seats in the state. Republican primary Background In 1972, U.S. Senator Clifford P. Case won re-election to a fourth term in office by a record 780,000 votes.CASE UPSET BY BELL IN JERSEY PRIMARY; BRADLEY WINS EASILY; SENATOR LOSES 5th-TERM BID His Conservative Republican Foe Shows Surprising Strength-- Worked for Reagan in '76 2d Loss for Moderates Bell Defeats Case in Close Contest As Bradley Wins Easily in Jersey Glee in Bradley Camp https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1978/06/07/110858634.html?pageNumber=3 2025-04-01 The New York Times en 0362-4331 subscription He was the ranking Republican on the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.Bell Campaigned Long and Hard; Bell Campaigned Long and Hard Wrote for National Review Seminar in Conservatism https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1978/06/07/110858635.html?pageNumber=3 2025-04-01 The New York Times en 0362-4331 subscription In his political career, which covered over twelve elections in the course of forty years, Case had lost only one race for New Jersey General Assembly in 1941.Case's Only Other Defeat Was in '42 Assembly Race; McCarthy Denounced in 1954 https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1978/06/07/110858816.html?pageNumber=28 2025-04-01 The New York Times en 0362-4331 subscription However, he had a reputation as a liberal internationalist and commonly drew challengers in the Republican primary.1978-06-11 G.O.P. Leaders Lay Case's Defeat To His Failure to Change Tactics (Published 1978) https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/11/archives/gop-leaders-lay-cases-defeat-to-his-failure-to-change-tactics.html 2025-07-29 en Beginning in 1974, Jeff Bell was a top policy advisor to former Governor of California Ronald Reagan and a leading architect of his supply-side economics platform during the 1976 Republican primary campaign against Gerald Ford. In 1976, Bell left the Ronald Reagan presidential campaign and relocated to New Jersey with the express intent of challenging Clifford Case, the long-time incumbent Senator and bête noire of conservative Republicans. Candidates Jeff Bell, political aide and speechwriter for Ronald Reagan's 1976 presidential campaign Clifford P. Case, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1955 Campaign Bell ran an energetic, active campaign centered around his advocacy of supply-side economics. Case, on the other hand, largely ignored his challenger, remained in Washington attending to his legislative duties, and spent only about $100,000.1978-06-09 Case Lays Loss to Antigovernment Mood (Published 1978) https://www.nytimes.com/1978/06/09/archives/new-jersey-pages-case-lays-loss-to-antigovernment-mood-possibility.html 2025-07-29 en He was the only major candidate in either primary who did not use television commercials, and he also generally disfavored telephone banks, direct mailing, and internal polling. He ignored advice from advisors to take the challenge seriously, at least in order to get a running start on the general election. The core policy proposal of Bell's campaign was a large federal income tax cut for the purpose of stimulating domestic investment, similar to the plan proposed in Congress by William Roth and Jack Kemp. Under Bell's plan, the top marginal rate would be cut by 20 percentage points, and lower rates would be cut by 30 percentage points across the board. Case countered that the proposal would be "enormously inflationary." Bell also criticized Case on foreign policy, referring to him as "too liberal", in particular for his vote in favor for the Torrijos–Carter Treaties. Bell also advocated the sale of military planes to Egypt and other Arab states, which Case had voted against due to his strong support for Israel. Late in the campaign, Case moderated his position, stating that he could support aid to Egypt but wanted moderate Arab leaders to recognize "the right of Israel to exist". He reinforced his commitment to "a strong Israel" and continued to oppose any "even-handed" approach in the Middle East. Endorsements Case had the support of every Republican member of the state legislature and 20 out of 21 county chairmen. Some municipal chairmen supported Bell. Case made particular use of former U.S. attorney Jonathan L. Goldstein, who served as his campaign counsel and had prosecuted former party chairman Nelson G. Gross and Bergen County chair Anthony Statile, as a campaign surrogate. Polling Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizekey Key:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclearJeff BellClifford CaseUndecidedRutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025May 7–16, 1978LV8%43%49%Associated Press/WNBC1978-05-19 Leone, Trailing in New Poll, Calls Bradley's Ad Campaign 'Insulting' (Published 1978) https://www.nytimes.com/1978/05/19/archives/new-jersey-pages-leone-trailing-in-new-poll-calls-bradleys-ad.html 2025-07-29 enMay 1978700 (RV)14%50%36% Results thumb|280px|Republican primary results by county #f9d440 Bell #f9d440 50–60% #f4c200 60–70% #e27f7f Case #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70%In conceding defeat, Case remarked, "It was an interesting campaign; it fooled everyone. The turnout was very light and perhaps that indicated a deep unhappiness of the voters with the people of authority and power. I shall continue to believe in the Republican Party and to support it." He applauded Bell as a "nice young man" but said that he remained convinced that Bell would not have a chance of winning the general election. Republican primary results Jeff Bell Republican Party (United States) 118,555 50.74 Clifford P. Case (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 115,082 49.26 233,637 100.00 Aftermath and legacy On June 8, following further reflection, Case expressed no regret over his campaign strategy and attributed his defeat to "the dissatisfaction of people with government." Party leadership, in particular former assembly speaker Thomas Kean, criticized Case for his "longtime reluctance to use modern campaign techniques." Case declined to endorse Bell for the general election. Bell's victory, which was held the same night as popular tax reform referendums in California and Ohio, was taken as a symbol of a broader anti-tax sentiment in the United States, which culminated in the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan and a Republican majority in Congress. In 2018, following Bell's death, Robert W. Merry of The American Conservative credited Bell as the first candidate to run on a supply-side platform and, along with Jack Kemp, Jude Wanniski, and Robert Bartley, one of the founders of the supply-side movement.2018-02-20 Jeffrey Bell, G.O.P. Giant-Killer and Supply-Sider, Dies at 74 (Published 2018) https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/obituaries/jeffrey-bell-gop-giant-killer-and-supply-sider-dies-at-74.html 2025-07-29 en subscription The New York Times Sam Roberts Democratic primary Candidates Wesley K. Bell, former mayor of Stafford Township Bill Bradley, former professional basketball player Richard Leone, former New Jersey State Treasurer Alexander J. Menza, state senator from Hillside Kenneth C. McCarthy Ray Rollinson, perennial candidate Withdrew Andrew Maguire, U.S. representative from Ridgewood (withdrew February 6, 1978; ran for re-election)1978-01-28 Oyrne's Leverage in Senate Race Increases as Guarini Bows Out (Published 1978) https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/28/archives/new-jersey-pages-byrnes-leverage-in-senate-race-increases-as.html 2025-07-29 en1978-02-07 Rep. Maguire in Jersey Decides Against a Contest for U.S. Senate (Published 1978) https://www.nytimes.com/1978/02/07/archives/rep-maguire-in-jersey-decides-against-a-contest-for-us-senate-could.html The New York Times 2025-07-29 en Declined Frank J. Guarini, chair of the Hudson County Democratic Organization and former state senator (declined January 27, 1978; ran for U.S. representative) Endorsements Bill Bradley U.S. representatives Jim Florio, U.S. representative from New Jersey's 1st congressional districtThe time Jim Florio led an off-the-line slate and walloped the Camden Democratic machine https://newjerseyglobe.com/campaigns/the-time-jim-florio-led-an-off-the-line-slate-and-walloped-the-camden-democratic-machine/ October 3, 2022 July 29, 2025 New Jersey Globe Wildstein David Frank J. Guarini (declined) Local officials Thomas F. X. Smith, mayor of Jersey CityRichard Leone State legislators Angelo Errichetti, state senator and mayor of Camden Debates No.Date and timeHostModeratorLinkParticipants#90FF90 P Present #FFFFDD A Absent #CCFFCC I Invited #FFE3E3 N Not invited #EEE Out Out of race #f0e68c W WithdrawnBradleyLeoneMaguireMenza11978-01-21 The New York Times Storm Fails to Deter Debate by 3 Jersey Candidates (Published 1978) https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/21/archives/storm-fails-to-deter-debate-by-3-jersey-candidates-polite.html 2025-07-29 enJanuary 20, 1978WPIX11John HamiltonN/APPP Polling Poll sourceDate(s) administeredSample sizekeyBill BradleyRichard LeoneAlexander MenzaUndecidedRutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025May 7–16, 1978LV16%12%3%69%Associated Press/WNBCMay 1978700 (RV)37%9%3%51% Results thumb|280px|Democratic primary results by county #7996e2ff Bradley #7996e2ff 50–60% #6674deff 60–70% #584cdeff 70–80% #5bc75b Leone #87de87 40–50% Democratic primary results Bill Bradley Democratic Party (United States) 217,502 58.90 Richard Leone Democratic Party (United States) 97,667 26.45 Alexander J. Menza Democratic Party (United States) 32,386 8.77 Kenneth C. McCarthy Democratic Party (United States) 9,524 2.58 Wesley K. Bell Democratic Party (United States) 8,800 2.38 Ray Rollinson Democratic Party (United States) 3,374 0.91 369,253 100.00 General election Candidates Jeff Bell, political aide and speechwriter for Ronald Reagan's 1976 presidential campaign (Republican) Robert Bowen (Labor) Bill Bradley, former professional basketball player (Democratic) J.M. Carter (God We Trust) Alice Conner (Socialist Workers) Bill Gahres (Down With Lawyers) Paul Ferguson (Socialist Labor) Jasper C. Gould (Independent) Jack Moyers (Libertarian) Herbert H. Shaw, perennial candidate (Politicians are Crooks) William R. Thorn (Independent) Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey BillBradley (D) JeffreyBell (R) Other/UndecidedRutgers-EagletonRutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025 May 7–16, 1978 793 RV 36% 17% 47%Rutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025 Sept. 19–Oct. 1, 1978 883 RV 49% 24% 27%Rutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025October 23–29, 1978 946 RV 50% 32% 18% 510 LV 51% 40% 9% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); with Case Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Marginof error CliffordCase (R) BillBradley (D) RichardLeone (D) AlexMenza (D) Other/UndecidedRutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025 May 7–16, 1978 1007 A ±4.0% 37% 27% – – 36% 44% – 24% – 32% 43% – – 18% 40% with Bell Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Marginof error JeffreyBell (R) RichardLeone (D) AlexMenza (D) Other/UndecidedRutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025 May 7–16, 1978 620 LV ±?% 18% 29% – 54% 19% – 22% 59% Results 1978 United States Senate election in New Jerseyhttps://nj.gov/state/elections/1920-1970-results/1978-general-election.pdf 1978 General Election Results Secretary of State of New Jersey 1978 November 12, 2018 March 5, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012931/http://nj.gov/state/elections/1920-1970-results/1978-general-election.pdf dead Democratic Party (United States) Bill Bradley 1,082,960 55.32% 20.81 Republican Party (United States) Jeff Bell 844,200 43.13% 19.33 Independent politician Herbert H. Shaw 4,736 0.24% N/A Independent politician Bill Gahres 3,817 0.20% N/A Libertarian Party (United States) Jack Moyers 3,809 0.20% N/A U.S. Labor Party Robert Bowen 3,656 0.19% N/A Independent politician J.M. Carter 3,618 0.19% N/A Independent politician Jasper C. Gould 2,955 0.15% N/A Independent politician William R. Thorn 2,776 0.14% N/A Socialist Labor Party of America Paul Ferguson 2,604 0.13% 0.23 Socialist Workers Party (United States) Alice Conner 2,384 0.12% N/A 1,957,515 100.00% Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) By county CountyNJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Results Archive https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-information-results.shtml 2025-01-16 nj.gov Bradley votes Bradley % Bell votes Bell % Other votes Other % Atlantic29,09755.2%22,88843.4%7121.3% Bergen145,40852.6%128,15246.4%2,9011.0% Burlington44,42453.0%38,54246.0%9061.1% Camden72,70359.7%47,17838.7%1,9461.6% Cape May12,68248.5%13,03249.8%4341.6% Cumberland16,00954.6%12,63743.1%6782.3% Essex118,59662.6%68,50336.2%2,2491.2% Gloucester28,59355.8%21,80142.6%8371.6% Hudson104,24571.4%39,05426.8%2,6621.9% Hunterdon9,30142.1%12,26755.5%5212.3% Mercer51,57960.6%32,73638.5%7500.9% Middlesex91,52660.2%57,83738.0%2,6461.7% Monmouth75,64753.7%63,58745.1%1,6991.2% Morris46,96144.0%58,01554.4%1,7081.6% Ocean49,44848.4%51,10950.0%1,6351.6% Passaic52,92454.3%42,34843.5%2,1762.2% Salem9,34151.3%8,52346.8%3381.8% Somerset26,13144.5%31,56953.7%1,0421.8% Sussex11,11141.6%15,14956.7%4781.8% Union76,13151.3%68,78446.3%3,5122.4% Warren11,10350.2%10,48947.4%5252.3% Total1,082,96055.3%844,20043.1%30,3551.6% Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Atlantic Bergen Burlington Camden Cumberland Essex Gloucester Hudson Mercer Middlesex Monmouth Passaic Salem Warren Union right 280px Swing by county 280px Trend by county Legend #006D92 Democratic —+>40% #00a1c8 Democratic —+30−40% #00bdec Democratic —+25−30% #09ceff Democratic—+20%−25% #4bdbff Democratic—+15%−20% #77e3ff Democratic—+10−15% #aaeeff Democratic—+5−10% #D5F6FF Democratic—+<5% #FFD5D5 Republican—+<5% #FFAAAA Republican—+5−10% #FF8080 Republican—+10−15% #FF5555 Republican—+15−20% #FF2A2A Republican—+20−25% #FF0000 Republican—+25−30% 280px County flips Legend Democratic #0671b0 Flip Republican #f48882 Hold References 1978 New Jersey United States Senate