2004 United States presidential election in New Jersey

none June 2025 September 2023 2004 United States presidential election 2004 United States presidential election in New Jersey New Jersey presidential no 2000 United States presidential election in New Jersey 2000 2008 United States presidential election in New Jersey 2008 November 2, 2004 72.63%https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/other/2022-1925-general-election-data.pdf General Election Data - 1924 to 2022 NJ.gov ( 2.55%) x200px John F. Kerry (wide crop).jpg John Kerry Democratic Party (United States) Massachusetts John Edwards 15 1,911,430 52.92% George-W-Bush (cropped).jpeg George W. Bush Republican Party (United States) Texas Dick Cheney 0 1,670,003 46.24% 350px County results 350px Congressional district results 350px Municipality results Kerry #b9d7ff 40–50% #86b6f2 50–60% #4389e3 60–70% #1666cb 70–80% #0645B4 80–90% #002B84 90–100% Bush #F2B3BE 40–50% #e27f90 50–60% #cc2f4a 60–70% #D40000 70–80% #800000 90–100% President George W. Bush Republican Party (United States) George W. Bush Republican Party (United States) The 2004 United States presidential election in New Jersey took place on November 2, 2004, and was part of the 2004 United States presidential election. Voters chose 15 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president. Democratic nominee John Kerry defeated Republican incumbent President George W. Bush by a 6.68% margin of victory in New Jersey. Bush, however, was re-elected to the presidency. Prior to the election, most news organizations considered New Jersey a blue state that Kerry would win. Due to the impact of the September 11, 2001 attacks and Democratic Governor Jim McGreevey's resignation following threats of a sexual harassment lawsuit, political observers believed that the presidential contest in New Jersey would be closer than usual. Polls showed Senator John F. Kerry with a slim lead throughout the campaign, and the Republicans invested some campaign funds in the state.March 2025 Primaries 2004 New Jersey Democratic presidential primary Campaign Predictions There were 12 news organizations who made state-by-state predictions of the election. The table below shows their final predictions before Election Day.http://dcpoliticalreport.com/members/2004/Pred2.htm#NW D.C.'s Political Report's 2004 Presidential Ratings October 29, 2004 D.C.'s Political Report June 6, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20101121204958/http://dcpoliticalreport.com/members/2004/Pred2.htm#NW November 21, 2010 usurped +SourceRankingD.C. Political ReportLean DCook Political ReportLikely DResearch 2000Solid DZogby InternationalLikely DWashington PostLikely DWashington DispatchLikely DWashington TimesSolid DThe New York TimesLean DCNNLikely DNewsweekLean DAssociated PressSolid DRasmussen ReportsLikely D Polling Kerry led by small margins in most pre-election polls taken in New Jersey. A final three-poll rolling average showed Kerry leading Bush, 49% to 42%.http://uselectionatlas.org/USPRESIDENT/GENERAL/CAMPAIGN/2004/polls.php?fips=34 Election poll data 2004 uselectionatlas.org Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror George W.Bush (R) JohnKerry (D) RalphNader (I)OtherUndecidedQuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Bush Has Big Lead Over Dem Challengers In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Hillary Clinton Would Dominate Dem Pack https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=334 June 19, 2003 August 28, 2025 June 11–16, 2003 815 RV ±3.4% 53% 37%– 1% 9%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Bush Approval Slips To A Break Even In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Democrats Are Nipping At His Heels https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=338 September 25, 2003 August 28, 2025 September 18–22, 2003 968 RV ±3.2% 48% 43%–9%Quinnipiac November 6–10, 2003 1,027 RV ±3.1% 46% 45%– 1% 7%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Kerry Edges Bush By Only 3 Points In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Concerns About Iraq, Terrorism Help President https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=274 May 20, 2004 August 28, 2025 May 10–16, 2004 1,122 RV ±2.9% 44% 47%– 1% 7% 43% 46% 5% 1% 6%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Bush Drops, Giving Kerry Bigger Lead In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; President's Approval At All-Time Low In State https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=276 June 23, 2004 August 28, 2025 June 15–20, 2004 1,167 RV ±2.9% 41% 49%– 2% 7% 40% 46% 7% 0% 7%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Kerry Bounces In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Low Bush Approval, Little Support For War https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=278 August 5, 2004 August 28, 2025 July 30–August 2, 2004 996 RV ±3.1% 38% 52%– 2% 8% 36% 49% 6% 1% 8%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Kerry Holds 10-Point Lead In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Corzine Buries GOP Contenders In Gov Race https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=394 August 25, 2004 August 28, 2025 August 19–23, 2004 887 RV ±3.3% 39% 51%– 1% 8% 39% 49% 4% 1% 8%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Terrorism Fear Lifts Bush To Dead Heat In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Say Iraq War Is Wrong And Economy Is Bad https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=402 September 21, 2004 August 28, 2025 September 16–19, 2004 672 LV ±3.8% 48% 48% 2% 0% 2% 48% 49% – 1% 2% 943 RV ±3.2% 43% 47% 3% 1% 6%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Debate Gives Kerry 3-Point Edge In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; But Voters Say Bush Acts More Like A Leader https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=408 October 6, 2004 August 28, 2025 October 1–4, 2004 819 LV ±3.4% 46% 49% 2% 1% 3% 46% 49% – 1% 4%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Kerry Has 4-Point Lead In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Democrat Matches Bush On Vision, But Not Leadership https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=481 October 19, 2004 August 28, 2025 October 14–17, 2004 786 LV ±2.9% 45% 49% 1% 0% 4% 45% 50% – 0% 5% 1,123 RV ±2.9% 39% 46% 2% 0% 12%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Bush, Kerry In Dead Heat In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Terrorism Concerns, Campaign Visit Help President https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=487 October 27, 2004 August 28, 2025 October 21–25, 2004 852 LV ±3.4% 46% 46% 2% 1% 6% 1,179 RV ±2.9% 41% 45% 2% 1% 12%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Quinnipiac University Poll Results In 3 Key States: * Bush Leads Kerry 51 - 43 Percent In Florida; * Bush, Kerry In Dead Heat In Pennsylvania; * Kerry Is Ahead 48 - 43 Percent In New Jersey https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=491 November 1, 2004 August 28, 2025 October 27–31, 2004 984 LV ±3.1% 43% 48% 2% 1% 6% 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 George W.Bush (R) GenericDemocratOtherUndecidedQuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Bush VS. Gore II Is Neck & Neck In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Ex V.P. Is Top Choice Of Garden State Dems https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=435 December 13, 2002 August 28, 2025 December 3–9, 2002 934 RV ±3.2% 43% 45% 2% 9% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror George W.Bush (R) WesleyClark (D)OtherUndecidedQuinnipiac September 18–22, 2003 968 RV ±3.2% 47% 42%11%Quinnipiac November 6–10, 2003 1,027 RV ±3.1% 47% 45% 1% 8% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror George W.Bush (R) HillaryClinton (D)OtherUndecidedQuinnipiac June 11–16, 2003 815 RV ±3.4% 54% 38% 2% 7%Quinnipiac September 18–22, 2003 968 RV ±3.2% 47% 45%8%Quinnipiac November 6–10, 2003 1,027 RV ±3.1% 46% 45% 1% 7% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror George W.Bush (R) HowardDean (D)OtherUndecidedQuinnipiac September 18–22, 2003 968 RV ±3.2% 50% 40%10%Quinnipiac November 6–10, 2003 1,027 RV ±3.1% 48% 45% 1% 6% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror George W.Bush (R) DickGephardt (D)OtherUndecidedQuinnipiac September 18–22, 2003 968 RV ±3.2% 48% 44%8%Quinnipiac November 6–10, 2003 1,027 RV ±3.1% 48% 45% 1% 6% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror George W.Bush (R) AlGore (D)OtherUndecidedQuinnipiac December 3–9, 2002 934 RV ±3.2% 48% 45% 2% 5% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror George W.Bush (R) JoeLieberman (D)OtherUndecidedQuinnipiac June 11–16, 2003 815 RV ±3.4% 53% 39% 1% 7%Quinnipiac September 18–22, 2003 968 RV ±3.2% 49% 44%7%QuinnipiacQuinnipiac Poll Bush Approval Drops Again In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Top Democrats Now Run Neck-And-Neck With President https://poll.qu.edu/Poll-Release-Legacy?releaseid=340 November 13, 2003 August 28, 2025 November 6–10, 2003 1,027 RV ±3.1% 46% 47% 1% 5% Fundraising Bush raised $5,934,011 from New Jersey donors,https://www.campaignmoney.com/political/campaigns/george_w_bush.asp?cycle=04 George W Bush - $374,659,453 raised, '04 election cycle, Republican Party, President campaignmoney.com while Kerry raised $6,513,274.https://www.campaignmoney.com/political/campaigns/john_f_kerry.asp?cycle=04 John F Kerry - $345,826,176 raised, '04 election cycle, Democrat Party, President campaignmoney.com Results 2004 United States presidential election in New Jerseyhttp://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2004&fips=34&f=1&off=0&elect=0 Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - New Jersey 2004http://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2004_general_candidates_pres_list.pdf Official General Election Candidates List January 27, 2013 September 10, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150910122013/http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2004_general_candidates_pres_list.pdf deadPartyCandidateVotesPercentageElectoral votes Democratic John Kerry 1,911,430 52.92%15 Republican George W. Bush (Inc.) 1,670,003 46.24% 0 Independent Ralph Nader 19,418 0.54% 0 Libertarian Michael Badnarik 4,514 0.12% 0 Constitution Michael Peroutka 2,750 0.08% 0 Green David Cobb 1,807 0.05% 0 Socialist Walt Brown 664 0.02% 0 Socialist Equality Bill Van Auken 575 0.02% 0 Socialist Workers Roger Calero 530 0.01% 0 Totals 3,611,691 100.00% 15 Voter Turnout (Voting age/Registered) 56%/72% By county County John KerryDemocratic George W. BushRepublican Various candidatesOther parties Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Atlantic 55,746 52.54% 49,487 46.64% 864 0.81% 6,259 5.90% 106,097 Bergen 207,666 51.88% 189,833 47.43% 2,745 0.69% 17,833 4.45% 400,244 Burlington 110,411 53.09% 95,936 46.13% 1,609 0.77% 14,475 6.96% 207,956 Camden 137,765 62.36% 81,427 36.86% 1,741 0.79% 56,338 25.50% 220,933 Cape May 21,475 42.31% 28,832 56.80% 455 0.90% −7,357 −14.49% 50,762 Cumberland 27,875 52.41% 24,362 45.81% 948 1.78% 3,513 6.60% 53,185 Essex 203,681 70.39% 83,374 28.81% 2,293 0.79% 120,307 41.58% 289,348 Gloucester 66,835 52.23% 60,033 46.91% 1,096 0.86% 6,802 5.32% 127,964 Hudson 127,447 67.24% 60,646 31.99% 1,461 0.77% 66,801 35.25% 189,554 Hunterdon 26,050 39.07% 39,888 59.82% 742 1.11% −13,838 −20.75% 66,680 Mercer 91,580 61.25% 56,604 37.86% 1,326 0.89% 34,976 23.39% 149,510 Middlesex 166,628 56.33% 126,492 42.76% 2,685 0.91% 40,136 13.57% 295,805 Monmouth 133,773 44.60% 163,650 54.56% 2,516 0.84% −29,877 −9.96% 299,939 Morris 98,066 41.70% 135,241 57.51% 1,847 0.79% −37,175 −15.81% 235,154 Ocean 99,839 38.93% 154,204 60.13% 2,424 0.95% −54,365 −21.20% 256,467 Passaic 94,962 55.43% 75,200 43.90% 1,149 0.67% 19,762 11.53% 171,311 Salem 13,749 46.17% 15,721 52.79% 311 1.04% −1,972 −6.62% 29,781 Somerset 66,476 47.39% 72,508 51.69% 1,295 0.92% −6,032 −4.30% 140,279 Sussex 23,990 34.54% 44,506 64.08% 962 1.38% −20,516 −29.54% 69,458 Union 119,372 58.66% 82,517 40.55% 1,613 0.79% 36,855 18.11% 203,502 Warren 18,044 37.43% 29,542 61.28% 622 1.29% −11,498 −23.85% 48,208Totals1,911,43052.92%1,670,00346.23%30,7040.85%241,4276.69%3,612,137 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Salem (largest municipality: Pennsville Township) Monmouth (largest municipality: Middletown 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% #77e3ff Democratic — +5−7.5% #4bdbff Democratic — +7.5-10% 280px County Flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold Republican #f48882 Hold #ca0120 Flip By congressional district Kerry won seven of 13 congressional districts.http://swingstateproject.com/diary/4161/presidential-results-by-congressional-district-20002008 Presidential Results by Congressional District, 2000-2008 – Swing State Project District Kerry Bush RepresentativeNew Jersey 1 1st 61% 39%Rob AndrewsNew Jersey 2 2nd 49% 50%Frank LoBiondoNew Jersey 3 3rd 49% 51%Jim Saxton New Jersey 4 4th 44% 56%Chris SmithNew Jersey 5 5th 43% 57%Scott GarrettNew Jersey 6 6th 57% 43%Frank Pallone Jr.New Jersey 7 7th 47% 53%Mike Ferguson New Jersey 8 8th 59% 41%Bill PascrellNew Jersey 9 9th 59% 41%Steve RothmanNew Jersey 10 10th 82% 18%Donald PayneNew Jersey 11 11th 42% 58%Rodney FrelinghuysenNew Jersey 12 12th 54% 46%Rush Holt Jr.New Jersey 13 13th 69% 31%Bob Menendez Analysis Generally, Kerry was very dominant in the urban centers of the state, particularly in Essex, Hudson, and Camden Counties. Bush won the largely rural parts of the state, such as the Northwest (Hunterdon, Somerset, and Morris) and Salem County in the southwest. He also carried the shore counties of Monmouth, Ocean, and Cape May. This would also be the first election in which a Northern Democrat carried New Jersey since 1960 when fellow Massachusetts Democrat John F. Kennedy did so. The previous three Democratic presidential candidates to carry the state were all from the South (Lyndon B. Johnson was from Texas, Bill Clinton from Arkansas, and Al Gore from Tennessee), even though New Jersey is a northern state. This is the first time a president was elected twice without ever carrying any of the state's electoral votes either time, and only the second occasion (after 1860 and 1864) that any president won two terms without ever carrying the state's popular vote either time. Electors List of 2004 United States presidential electors The following were the members of the Electoral College from the state of New Jersey in 2004. All 15 were pledged to support the Democratic ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards.https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/2004_certificates/ascertainment_new_jersey_01.html U. S. Electoral College 2004 Certificate archives.gov May 20, 2019 Warren Wallace Wilfredo Caraballo Tom Canzanella Carolyn Walch Peggy Anastos Bernard Kenny Ronald Rice Abed Awad Jack McGreevey – (Father of former Gov. James McGreevey) Wendy Benchle Loni Kaplan Carolyn Wade Riletta L. Cream Bernadette McPherson Upendra Chivukula See also United States presidential elections in New Jersey Presidency of George W. Bush References External links Official Results (New Jersey Division of Elections) Official Results by municipality New Jersey 2004 Category:2004 New Jersey elections