2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey

none related races 2008 United States Senate elections March 2026 December 2017 2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey New Jersey presidential no 2002 United States Senate election in New Jersey 2002 2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey 2013 (special) November 4, 2008 73%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) File:Frank Lautenberg, official portrait, 112th portrait crop.jpg 150x150px Frank Lautenberg Democratic Party (United States) 1,951,218 56.03% File:Richard Alan Zimmer portrait (cropped).gif Dick Zimmer Republican Party (United States) 1,461,025 41.95% 280px County results 280px Congressional district results 280px Municipality results Lautenberg: #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933E5 80–90% #0D0596 >90%Zimmer: #FFB2B2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg Democratic Party (United States) Frank Lautenberg Democratic Party (United States) The 2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg won re-election to a fifth, non-consecutive term, defeating former Republican congressman Dick Zimmer, who was also the nominee for this seat in 1996. This is the most recent U.S. Senate race in New Jersey where both major candidates have since died. Background In November 2006, Senator Lautenberg had the lowest approval rating of any Democratic incumbent running for re-election in 2008 (with 39% of respondents approving and 45% disapproving),http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=7f2453b4-1590-478a-bbf4-29bb08ae42da Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #11152 February 5, 2007 November 2006 SurveyUSA with his approval improving only slightly to 42% as of September 2007. In September 2007, his approval had improved slightly to 42%, but 46% of respondents in the same survey believed that Lautenberg did not deserve re-election (against 36% who believed he did) and 54% believed that he was too old to effectively serve another six-year term in the Senate."Voters still say Lautenberg is too old". PolitickerNJ.com, September 25, 2007. Accessed April 8, 2008. However, the prevailing political climate at the time of the election was also a major factor. Voter anger was directed against the Republican Party, and many Democrats once considered vulnerable managed to hold on. Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Frank Lautenberg, incumbent U.S. senator (1982–2001, 2003–2013) Eliminated in primary Rob Andrews, U.S. representative from NJ-01 (1990–2014) Donald Cresitello, mayor of Morristown (1977–1981, 2006–2010) Polling Poll source Date(s)administered SamplesizeKey:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear "Key" Marginof error FrankKautenberg RobAndrews DonaldCresitello UndecidedRasmussen ReportsMay 15, 2008 Toplines - NJ Senate Primary - May 15, 2008 http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/state_toplines/new_jersey/toplines_nj_senate_primary_may_15_2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080607052017/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/state_toplines/new_jersey/toplines_nj_senate_primary_may_15_2008 June 7, 2008 June 25, 2026 Rasmussen ReportsMay 15, 2008500 (LV)± 4.5%49%19%7%25%Joel Benenson (D)Pizzaro Max April 4, 2008 DSCC poll shows Lautenberg with 52-21% lead over Andrews http://www.politickernj.com/max/18127/dscc-poll-shows-lautenberg-52-21-lead-over-andrews https://web.archive.org/web/20110727102019/http://www.politickernj.com/max/18127/dscc-poll-shows-lautenberg-52-21-lead-over-andrews July 27, 2011 June 25, 2026 PolitickerNJPoll sponsored by the DSCCApril 1–2, 2008500 (LV)–52%21%–27% Results Democratic primary resultsOfficial results for 2008 primary elections, New Jersey Division of Elections, July 11, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080806212619/http://www.njelections.org/2008results/08primary-election/08-official-pri-elect-senate-candidate-tallies-071108.pdf August 6, 2008 ) Democratic Party (United States) Frank Lautenberg (incumbent) 203,012 58.9% Democratic Party (United States) Rob Andrews 121,777 35.3% Democratic Party (United States) Donald Cresitello 19,743 5.7% 344,532 100.0% Results by county + Results by county County Lautenberg % Andrews % Cresitello % Atlantic4,798 45.4%5,28750.1%472 4.5% Bergen26,84878.9%5,645 16.6%1,554 4.6% Burlington7,757 42.4%9,48351.8%1,059 5.8% Camden5,995 16.5%29,17580.1%1,256 3.4% Cape May1,433 45.4%1,56649.6%159 5.0% Cumberland1,74646.1%1,79947.5%246 6.5% Essex31,84476.4%8,671 20.8%1,190 2.9% Gloucester3,135 17.0%14,77580.0%563 3.0% Hudson28,44674.8%8,233 21.7%1,343 3.5% Hunterdon2,06158.8%1,180 33.7%264 7.5% Mercer10,09374.0%3,053 22.4%494 3.6% Middlesex17,13162.0%7,918 28.7%2,573 9.3% Monmouth10,57066.3%3,568 22.4%1,808 11.3% Morris8,43265.0%3,151 24.3%1,394 10.7% Ocean8,86957.9%5,037 32.9%1,421 9.3% Passaic9,84279.3%1,700 13.7%872 7.0% Salem928 31.9%1,73459.6%248 8.5% Somerset5,64064.7%2,209 25.3%873 10.0% Sussex1,37952.7%784 29.9%456 17.4% Union15,10367.6%6,179 27.7%1,060 4.7% Warren96247.4%630 31.0%438 21.6% Republican primary Candidates Joseph Pennacchio, state senator Murray Sabrin, professor at Ramapo College and perennial candidate Dick Zimmer, former U.S. Representative and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1996 Withdrew Anne Evans Estabrook, real estate developerhttps://observer.com/2008/03/bateman-considers-u-s-senate-bid/ 6 Mar 2008 21 Aug 2021 Bateman considers U.S. Senate bid The race changed yesterday with the surprise withdrawal of Anne Evans Estabrook, a millionaire businesswoman who had courted party leaders for almost a year. Estabrook suffered a mini-stroke on Monday and decided to quickly exit the contest. Observer PolitickerNJ Andrew Unanue, former Goya Foods executive (endorsed Zimmer)https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-now/2008/04/new-jersey-senate-merry-go-round-continues-007731 New Jersey Senate merry-go-round continues Krashuaar Josh 11 Apr 2008 21 Aug 2021 Politico Former Goya Foods executive Andrew Unanue, whose campaign was controversy-ridden ever since he announced his candidacy on Easter Sunday, withdrew from the race today and threw his support behind former GOP Rep. Dick Zimmer. Declined Kip Bateman, state senatorhttps://observer.com/2008/03/bateman-considers-u-s-senate-bid/ 6 Mar 2008 21 Aug 2021 Bateman considers U.S. Senate bid Observer PolitickerNJ Mehmet Oz, cardiologisthttps://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/democrats-to-dr-oz-run-for-office-as-a-republican-in-new-jersey-please/ Democrats to Dr. Oz: run for office as a Republican in New Jersey, please David Wildstein 12 January 2023 New Jersey Globe 7 May 2023 Results Republican primary results Republican Party (United States) Dick Zimmer 84,663 45.8% Republican Party (United States) Joseph Pennacchio 74,546 40.3% Republican Party (United States) Murray Sabrin 25,576 13.8% 184,785 100.0% Official results, New Jersey Division of Elections (PDF, July 11, 2008) Results by county County Zimmer% Pennacchio% Sabrin% Atlantic 3,90965%1,32222%81013% Bergen 5,14530%10,76162%1,3848% Burlington 8,62963%2,86921%2,27616% Camden 3,12349%2,16634%1,03616% Cape May 3,61570%1,03420%4839% Cumberland 1,56672%39518%22510% Essex 3,59257%2,26236%4938% Gloucester 1,20626%2,16147%1,25427% Hudson 1,48748%95531%64121% Hunterdon 5,51960%2,73030%97711% Mercer 2,55556%1,53834%48811% Middlesex 2,60333%4,19554%1,02113% Monmouth 7,98156%4,63033%1,51011% Morris 8,09436%12,70056%1,8558% Ocean 10,87548%4,82021%6,77830% Passaic 1,27120%4,57072%5458% Salem 76947%65741%19312% Somerset 5,22746%4,87543%1,17010% Sussex 2,85040%3,62151%6479% Union 2,89632%4,65352%1,38815% Warren 1,75146%1,63243%40211% General election Candidates Jeff Boss, perennial candidate and conspiracy theorist (Independent)2008 General Election Candidate Certification https://web.archive.org/web/20081001230653/http://www.njelections.org/2008results/08generalelection/certification-memo-senate.pdf October 1, 2008, New Jersey Division of Elections. Accessed September 28, 2008 Daryl Mikell Brooks (Independent) J.M. Carter (Independent) Carl Peter Klapper (Independent; write-in)Home http://carlpeterklapper.org/ 7 May 2023 carlpeterklapper.org Frank Lautenberg, incumbent U.S. Senator (Democratic) Sara Lobman (Socialist Workers) Jason Scheurer (Libertarian) Dick Zimmer, former U.S. Representative (Republican) Debates The first poll conducted after the primaries showed a tighter than expected race between Lautenberg and Zimmer, with the two candidates in a virtual tie."Election 2008: New Jersey Senate - New Jersey Senate Race a Dead Heat" https://web.archive.org/web/20080622095354/http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/new_jersey/election_2008_new_jersey_senate June 22, 2008, Rasmussen Reports, June 9, 2008. Accessed June 9, 2008. On October 29, 2008, a debate between Lautenberg and Zimmer was held on the radio station NJ 101.5.Burton, Cynthia. "Lautenberg and Zimmer spar over issues", The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 30, 2008. On November 1, 2008, the two candidates debated for the second time on New Jersey Network, in the only televised debate agreed to by the Lautenberg campaign.Schwaneberg, Robert. Lautenberg, Zimmer agree to debate on Nov. 1, The Star-Ledger, October 1, 2008. Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008 https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139080 The Cook Political Report April 1, 2021 June 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210625160336/https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139080 dead Safe DOctober 23, 2008 CQ PoliticsRace Ratings Chart: Senate https://web.archive.org/web/20081031142743/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate October 31, 2008 CQ Politics Likely DOctober 31, 2008 Rothenberg Political Report2008 Senate ratings https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2008-senate-ratings Inside Elections April 1, 2021 Safe DNovember 2, 2008 Real Clear Politics2008 RCP Averages & Senate Results https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/senate/election_2008_senate_races.html Real Clear Politics August 31, 2021 Likely DOctober 31, 2008 Polling Source Date FrankLautenberg (D) DickZimmer (R) Rasmussen Reportshttp://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/new_jersey/election_2008_new_jersey_senate https://web.archive.org/web/20080622095354/http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/new_jersey/election_2008_new_jersey_senate June 22, 2008 Rasmussen Reports: The most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a presidential election June 4, 2008 45% 44%Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University June 5–8, 2008 47% 38%Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityFairleigh Dickinson University June 17–22, 2008 45% 28%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports July 7, 2008 49% 36%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision July 11–13, 2008 48% 32%Monmouth UniversityMonmouth University July 17–21, 2008 45% 37% Club for Growthhttp://www.clubforgrowth.org/2008/08/new_poll_in_njsen_race.php The Club For Growth - www.clubforgrowth.org www.clubforgrowth.org 11 January 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20081023203700/http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2008/08/new_poll_in_njsen_race.php 23 October 2008 dead July 30–31, 2008 35% 36% Rasmussen Reportshttp://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/new_jersey/election_2008_new_jersey_senate https://web.archive.org/web/20080912045931/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_senate_elections/new_jersey/election_2008_new_jersey_senate September 12, 2008 Rasmussen Reports: The most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a presidential election August 4, 2008 51% 33%Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University August 4–10, 2008 48% 41%Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityFairleigh Dickinson University September 4–7, 2008 46% 35%Marist CollegeMarist College https://web.archive.org/web/20080913193031/http://www.maristpoll.marist.edu/NJ/NJ080912.htm September 13, 2008 September 5–8, 2008 51% 40%The RecordThe Record / Research 2000Research 2000 September 9–11, 2008 49% 41%Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University September 10–14, 2008 48% 39%Monmouth UniversityMonmouth University September 11–14, 2008 46% 36%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision September 14–16, 2008 47% 40%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports September 16, 2008 49% 42%Survey USASurvey USA September 27–28, 2008 51% 38%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision September 26–28, 2008 48% 41%Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityFairleigh Dickinson University September 29 – October 5, 2008 50% 34%Rasmussen Reports October 7, 2008 51% 37%Survey USASurvey USA October 11–12, 2008 51% 38%Monmouth UniversityMonmouth University October 15–18, 2008 52% 36%Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University October 16–19, 2008 55% 33%Marist CollegeMarist College https://web.archive.org/web/20090109031916/http://www.maristpoll.marist.edu/NJ/NJ081024.htm January 9, 2009 October 20–21, 2008 48% 41%Strategic VisionStrategic Vision October 24–26, 2008 49% 41%Survey USASurvey USA October 29–30, 2008 52% 37% Results 2008 United States Senate election in New JerseyNJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Results Archive https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-information-results.shtml 2025-01-16 nj.gov Democratic Party (United States) Frank Lautenberg (incumbent) 1,951,218 56.03% +2.15% Republican Party (United States) Dick Zimmer 1,461,025 41.95% -2.00% Independent (United States) Daryl Mikell Brooks 20,920 0.60% n/a Libertarian Party (United States) Jason Scheurer 18,810 0.54% -0.05 Independent (United States) J.M. Carter 15,935 0.46% n/a Independent (United States) Jeff Boss 10,345 0.30% n/a Socialist Workers Party (United States) Sara Lobman 9,187 0.26% n/a 3,482,445 100.00% n/a Democratic Party (United States) By county County2008 Senate Election (Official Returns) Commonwealth of New Jersey by county https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2008/2008-official-gen-elect-tallies-senate-120208.pdf Frank LautenbergDecember Dick ZimmerRepublican Various candidatesOther parties Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Atlantic 61,464 56.54% 45,509 41.87% 1,724 1.59% 15,955 14.67% 108,697 Bergen 210,799 56.69% 159,306 42.84% 1,724 0.46% 51,493 13.85% 371,829 Burlington 114,781 56.32% 85,841 42.12% 3,191 1.57% 28,940 14.20% 203,813 Camden 144,640 66.56% 69,821 32.13% 2,849 1.31% 74,819 34.43% 217,310 Cape May 20,374 45.22% 23,697 52.60% 984 2.18% -3,323 -7.38% 45,055 Cumberland 31,052 61.00% 18,498 36.34% 1,357 2.66% 12,554 24.66% 50,907 Essex 198,623 75.01% 61,829 23.35% 4,348 1.64% 136,794 51.66% 264,800 Gloucester 72,990 55.72% 55,024 42.00% 2,992 2.28% 17,966 13.72% 131,006 Hudson 126,098 73.72% 40,573 23.72% 4,373 2.56% 85,525 50.00% 171,044 Hunterdon 22,824 34.89% 40,309 61.63% 2,276 3.48% -17,485 -26.74% 65,409 Mercer 91,088 62.22% 52,298 35.73% 3,004 2.05% 38,790 26.49% 146,390 Middlesex 175,284 59.55% 112,590 38.25% 6,489 2.20% 62,694 21.30% 294,363 Monmouth 132,189 45.67% 150,238 51.90% 7,034 2.43% -18,049 -6.23% 289,461 Morris 94,558 42.52% 124,198 55.85% 3,620 1.63% -29,640 -13.33% 222,376 Ocean 109,393 43.12% 139,480 54.98% 4,839 1.91% -30,087 -11.86% 253,712 Passaic 100,598 61.36% 59,556 36.33% 3,798 2.32% 41,042 25.03% 163,952 Salem 16,132 52.97% 12,869 42.26% 1,452 4.77% 3,263 10.71% 30,453 Somerset 66,939 47.13% 71,392 50.27% 3,691 2.60% -4,453 -3.14% 142,022 Sussex 27,178 37.77% 41,660 57.89% 3,124 4.34% -14,482 -20.12% 71,962 Union 116,201 61.53% 69,069 36.57% 3,578 1.89% 47,132 24.96% 188,848 Warren 18,019 38.91% 27,258 58.87% 1,027 2.22% -9,239 -19.96% 46,304Totals1,951,21856.03%1,461,02541.95%70,2022.02%490,19314.08%3,482,445 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% See also 2008 United States elections Notes Partisan clients References External links Division of Elections from the New Jersey Secretary of State U.S. Congress candidates for New Jersey https://web.archive.org/web/20081024155805/http://www.votesmart.org/election_congress_state.php?state_id=NJ&go33.x=12&go33.y=8 October 24, 2008 at Project Vote Smart New Jersey, U.S. Senate from CQ Politics New Jersey U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com New Jersey U.S. Senate race from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Zimmer (R) vs Lautenberg (D-i) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com Official campaign websites (Archived) Frank Lautenberg, Democratic nominee Dick Zimmer, Republican nominee Jason Scheurer, Libertarian candidate Daryl Mikell Brooks, Independent candidate 2008 New Jersey United States Senate