1961 New Jersey gubernatorial election

none January 2025 September 2023 1961 New Jersey gubernatorial election New Jersey 1896 Presidential no 1957 New Jersey gubernatorial election 1957 1965 New Jersey gubernatorial election 1965 November 7, 1961 73.3% of eligible voters (0.7 pp)https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/1920-1970//1977-general-election.pdf Results of the General Election Held November 8, 1977 Donald Lan, Secretary of State August 8, 2025 File:Richard J. Hughes 1962 (cropped).jpg 150x150px Richard J. Hughes Democratic Party (United States) 1,084,194 50.37% File:James P. Mitchell 1956 (cropped).jpg James P. Mitchell Republican Party (United States) 1,049,274 48.74% 1961 New Jersey gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 280px County resultsHughes: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Mitchell: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Governor Robert B. Meyner Democratic Party (United States) Richard J. Hughes Democratic Party (United States) The 1961 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1961. Democratic incumbent Robert B. Meyner was term-limited and in-eligible to run for re-election. Democratic nominee Richard J. Hughes defeated Republican nominee James P. Mitchell with 50 percent of the vote. This was the last election until 2025 where the term-limited governor was succeeded by a member of their own party via election. Primary elections were held on April 18, 1961.1961 Results of the Primary Election Held April 18th, 1961 https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/1920-1970//1961-primary-election.pdf June 12, 2025 Secretary of State of New Jersey Richard J. Hughes won the Democratic nomination with nominal opposition after consolidating party organization support in February. In the Republican primary, U.S. labor secretary James P. Mitchell won the nomination over state senators Walter H. Jones and Wayne Dumont in a demonstration of the strength of U.S. senator Clifford P. Case over the party. Democratic primary Candidates Eugene E. Demarest, former mayor of Hackensack (196061)MAYOR IN JERSEY OUSTED BY COURT; Demarest of Hackensack Is Held Installed Illegally https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/01/26/97652719.html 2025-06-10 The New York Times en 0362-4331 Richard J. Hughes, attorney and former Mercer County Superior Court judge (195257) Weldon R. Sheets, Essex County SupervisorESSEX https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1957/11/06/84779989.html 2025-06-10 The New York Times en 0362-4331 Withdrew John J. Grogan, mayor of Hoboken and candidate for U.S. Senate in 1958Key Democrats in Jersey Back Ex-Judge for Governor's Race; Richard S. Hughes Believed to Be in Lead -- Grogan Expected to Withdraw https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/02/10/104082709.html 2025-06-11 The New York Times en 0362-43312007-05-01 Fifty years ago, a great U.S. Senate race in New Jersey https://observer.com/2007/05/fifty-years-ago-a-great-u-s-senate-race-in-new-jersey/ 2025-06-10 Observer en-US (withdrew February 13, 1961)DEMOCRATS NAME HUGHES IN JERSEY; Nomination for Governor Is Virtually Assured by Vote of 20 County Leaders DEMOCRATS NAME HUGHES IN JERSEY https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/02/14/97587694.html 2025-06-11 The New York Times en 0362-4331 Michael Kearney, Fort Lee tax attorneyJERSEY G.O.P. ACTS TO HALT FEUDING; County, State and National Figures to Meet Tuesday on Governorship Fight https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/01/18/118891509.html 2025-06-11 The New York Times en 0362-4331 Declined Donal C. Fox, state senator for Essex County William F. Hyland, Public Utilities Commissioner and former assemblyman from Camden Grover C. Richman Jr., former New Jersey attorney general and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Frank Thompson, U.S. representative from Trenton Harrison A. Williams, U.S. senator since 1959 Campaign Beginning in December 1960, outgoing governor Robert B. Meyner struggled to settle on a consensus candidate with local and county party leaders for the nomination. Meyner favored U.S. senator Harrison A. Williams or William F. Hyland as his successor. Williams declined, and party leaders failed to reach an agreement for over two months. In February, former Superior Court judge Richard J. Hughes emerged as a dark horse candidate for the nomination. Hughes, a self-avowed liberal and supporter of President John F. Kennedy, had been elected to the Democratic state committee in 1937 and ran a failed campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1938. His campaign was led by Mercer County chair Thorn Lord, who was also Hughes's law partner, along with national committeeman David T. Wilentz and Hudson County party chair John V. Kenny. After Frank Thompson declined for a second time, party leaders quickly consolidated around Hughes. He received the backing of leadership in Burlington, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Mercer, Passaic and Union counties, making him the front-runner for organization support in the primary. George Cable of The New York Times remarked that Hughes's ascent was "a clear victory for other top party leaders" over Meyner and was expected to lead John J. Grogan to withdraw and the Essex County party to withdraw its endorsement of Donal C. Fox. On February 13, Hughes was officially designated as the party organization's candidate for governor with the support of 20 out of 21 county chairs. Grogan withdrew the same day. The designation was considered tantamount to nomination, as it ensured Hughes would have no serious opposition for the nomination at the April 18 primary election. Results Democratic primary results Richard J. Hughes Democratic Party (United States) 222,789 84.21 Weldon R. Sheets Democratic Party (United States) 21,285 8.05 Eugene E. Demarest Democratic Party (United States) 20,487 7.74 264,561 100.00 Republican primary Candidates Louis Berns, Oradell resident Wayne Dumont, state senator for Warren CountyJONES GIVEN EDGE IN RACE IN JERSEY; Hudson Joins 3 Counties in Backing Him for G.O.P. Governor Nomination https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/01/04/118887713.html 2025-06-11 The New York Times en 0362-4331 Walter H. Jones, state senator for Bergen County James P. Mitchell, former United States Secretary of LaborMitchell to Enter Jersey Race For Governorship Next Week https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/01/13/118011999.html 2025-06-11 The New York Times en 0362-4331Mitchell Says He Will Run For Jersey Governorship; Mitchell Announces Jersey Candidacy For Governorship https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/01/15/100237962.html 2025-06-11 The New York Times en 0362-4331 Withdrew Charles W. Sandman Jr., state senator for Cape May County (withdrew February 8, 1961; endorsed Jones)MEYNER IS URGING A RACE BY HYLAND; Talks With State Leaders on Governorship During Trip to the Inauguration https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/01/20/101448337.html 2025-06-11 The New York Times en 0362-4331JONES GETS SUPPORT; 7 Jersey G.O.P. Chiefs Back Him After Sandman Quits https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/02/08/97585446.html 2025-06-11 The New York Times en 0362-4331 Declined William T. Cahill, U.S. representative from Collingswood (endorsed Mitchell) Robert C. Crane, state senator for Union CountyEdge Wally 24 July 2006 The legacy of Robert Crane http://politickernj.com/2006/07/the-legacy-of-robert-crane/ 30 November 2014 PolitickerNJ.com Florence Dwyer, U.S. representative from Elizabeth (endorsed Mitchell) Peter Frelinghuysen, U.S. representative from Morristown (endorsed Mitchell) Richard R. Stout, state senator for Monmouth CountySTOUT'S CANDIDACY IS URGED IN JERSEY https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/01/05/101447818.html 2025-06-11 The New York Times en 0362-4331 Senator Wayne Dumont was the first candidate to announce his campaign in late November 1960, following the presidential election. Walter H. Jones and Charles W. Sandman soon announced their campaigns. Campaign In late 1960, Bergen County state senator Walter H. Jones was the early favorite for the nomination over senators Wayne Dumont and Charles W. Sandman, having secured the endorsements of the party organization in Bergen, Hudson, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset counties, which combined for almost half of the vote in typical Republican primaries. Essex County, which was reportedly leaning strongly toward Jones, accounted for another 20 to 30 percent. However, in a January 6, 1961 speech at Princeton, U.S. senator Clifford Case declared his intent to take leadership of the party, setting off a power struggle between Republican members of Congress, led by Case, and state politicians. Despite Jones's early lead, Secretary of Labor James P. Mitchell joined the race on January 14 with support and urging from Case, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the Republican members of the New Jersey delegation to the United States House of Representatives. At his final cabinet meeting as president, Eisenhower produced a $100 bill and handed it to Mitchell as a symbolic campaign contribution. Mitchell's entry reshaped the race as a contest between Republican leaders in state and local government and those in Washington. On January 16, Republican state senators met in Trenton to rebuke Mitchell's candidacy; eight of the eleven Republican senators, led by Richard R. Stout, signed a statement arguing that Mitchell "has not been active and is not familiar in the affairs of the state and has not had experience in state government and the problems facing the state."8 of 11 Jersey G.O.P. Senators Opposing Mitchell for Governor; JERSEY SENATORS OPPOSE MITCHELL https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/01/17/118013126.html 2025-06-11 The New York Times en 0362-4331 Only Thomas J. Hillery and Wesley Lance refused to sign the statement; Robert C. Crane, who was undergoing treatment for fatal cancer, was absent. On February 8, Sandman withdrew from the race and endorsed Jones. All eight South Jersey county chairs switched their endorsement from Sandman to Jones, giving Jones organization support throughout the state. Dumont, however, said that he would "not withdraw under any circumstances." Endorsements Wayne Dumont ;Local officials F. Edward Biertuempfel, mayor of Union TownshipWalter H. Jones 60 ;State legislators Robert C. Crane, state senator for Union County Charles W. Sandman, state senator for Cape May Political parties Atlantic County Republican Committee Bergen County Republican Committee Burlington County Republican Committee Camden County Republican Committee Cape May County Republican Committee Cumberland County Republican Committee Hudson County Republican Committee Gloucester County Republican Committee Middlesex County Republican Committee Ocean County Republican Committee Passaic County Republican Committee Salem County Republican Committee Somerset County Republican CommitteeJames P. Mitchell 60 ;Federal executive branch officials Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States U.S. senators Clifford P. Case, U.S. senator from New Jersey since 1955 U.S. representatives James C. Auchincloss, U.S. representative from Rumson William T. Cahill, U.S. representative from Collingswood Florence Dwyer, U.S. representative from Elizabeth Peter Frelinghuysen, U.S. representative from Morristown Political parties Union County Republican CommitteeCharles W. Sandman (withdrew) 60 ;Political parties Atlantic County Republican Committee (switched endorsement to Jones) Burlington County Republican Committee (switched endorsement to Jones) Camden County Republican Committee (switched endorsement to Jones) Cape May County Republican Committee (switched endorsement to Jones) Cumberland County Republican Committee (switched endorsement to Jones) Gloucester County Republican Committee (switched endorsement to Jones) Ocean County Republican Committee (switched endorsement to Jones) Salem County Republican Committee (switched endorsement to Jones)Richard R. Stout (declined) ;Political parties Monmouth County Republican Committee Results Republican Party primary results James P. Mitchell Republican Party (United States) 202,188 43.68 Walter H. Jones Republican Party (United States) 160,553 34.69 Wayne Dumont Republican Party (United States) 95,761 20.69 Louis Berns Republican Party (United States) 4,376 0.95 462,878 100.00 General election Candidates G. George Addonizio, member of the Belleville Township CouncilElections to Be Held in 19 New Jersey Municipalities Tuesday https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1964/05/10/97390448.html 2025-06-10 The New York Times en 0362-4331 (Independent) Richard J. Hughes, former Mercer County Superior Court judge (Democratic) Henry B. Krajewski, perennial candidate (Veterans Bonus Now) Edward J. Lueddeke (Prosperity with Liberty) Reinhardt V. Metzger, former Assemblyman from Essex County (Conservative) James P. Mitchell, former United States Secretary of Labor (Republican) Daniel Petrino (State Soldiers Bonus) Albert Ronis (Socialist Labor) Ruth F. Shiminsky (Socialist Workers) Withdrew John J. Witzkowski, counsel to the Jersey City Board of Education and brother of Jersey City mayor Charles S. WitkowskiJERSEY DISSIDENT IN GOVERNOR RACE; Brother of Mayor Witkowski to Run as Independent in General Election https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/02/18/118900017.html 2025-06-11 The New York Times en 0362-4331 (Independent) Results New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1961http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/1920-1970-results/1961-general-election.pdf Votes Cast for the Office of Governor of the State of New Jersey Secretary of State of New Jersey 1961 August 25, 2015 Democratic Party (United States) Richard J. Hughes 1,084,194 50.37% 4.18 Republican Party (United States) James P. Mitchell 1,049,274 48.74% 4.28 New Jersey Conservative Party Reinhardt V. Metzger 5,820 0.27% 0.03 Independent politician Henry B. Krajewski 3,904 0.18% 0.13 Independent politician Edward J. Lueddeke 2,541 0.12% N/A Independent politician G. George Addonizio 2,462 0.11% N/A Socialist Labor Party of America Albert Ronis 2,103 0.10% 0.21 Independent politician Daniel Petrino 1,393 0.07% N/A Socialist Workers Party (United States) Ruth F. Shiminsky 971 0.05% N/A Democratic Party (United States) By county County Richard J. HughesDemocratic James P. MitchellRepublican Various candidatesOther parties Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Atlantic 27,254 42.9% 34,766 54.7% 1,510 2.4% -7,512 -11.8% 63,530 Bergen 123,421 41.4% 171,180 57.5% 3,236 1.4% -47,759 -16.1% 297,837 Burlington 30,756 52.6% 27,331 46.8% 359 0.6% 3,425 5.8% 58,446 Camden 74,030 54.9% 59,984 44.5% 768 0.6% 14,046 10.4% 134,782 Cape May 8,725 43.9% 11,008 55.4% 133 0.6% -2,283 -11.5% 19,866 Cumberland 19,266 54.7% 15,769 44.8% 169 0.5% 3,497 9.9% 35,204 Essex 156,033 53.1% 135,342 46.1% 2,418 0.8% 20,691 7.0% 293,793 Gloucester 25,289 51.0% 24,183 48.8% 109 0.2% 1,106 1.2% 49,581 Hudson 136,145 57.9% 95,886 40.8% 2,937 1.2% 40,259 17.1% 234,968 Hunterdon 8,725 42.7% 11,555 56.5% 168 0.8% -2,830 -13.8% 20,448 Mercer 61,550 61.9% 37,444 37.6% 473 0.5% 24,106 24.3% 99,467 Middlesex 98,359 59.5% 65,577 39.7% 1,262 0.7% 32,782 19.8% 165,198 Monmouth 49,227 43.8% 61,513 54.8% 1,584 1.5% -12,286 -11.0% 112,324 Morris 29,216 34.7% 54,564 64.7% 531 0.6% -25,348 -30.0% 84,311 Ocean 18,154 41.9% 24,753 57.1% 416 1.0% -6,599 -15.2% 43,323 Passaic 72,175 53.6% 61,176 45.5% 1,221 0.9% 10,999 8.1% 134,572 Salem 12,237 56.2% 9,532 43.8% 11 0.01% 2,705 12.4% 21,780 Somerset 22,784 43.9% 28,596 55.1% 477 0.9% -5,812 -11.2% 51,857 Sussex 7,674 39.7% 11,611 60.1% 44 0.3% -3,937 -20.4% 19,329 Union 90,912 48.0% 97,205 51.3% 1,313 0.7% -6,293 -3.3% 189,430 Warren 12,262 54.2% 10,299 45.5% 55 0.2% 1,963 8.7% 22,616Totals1,084,19450.37%1,049,27448.74%19,1940.91%34,9201.63%2,207,931 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Monmouth Somerset Union References collapsed 1961 New Jersey Gubernatorial Category:November 1961 in the United States