1989 New Jersey gubernatorial election

none 1989 United States gubernatorial elections January 2025 September 2023 1989 New Jersey gubernatorial election New Jersey Presidential no 1985 New Jersey gubernatorial election 1985 1993 New Jersey gubernatorial election 1993 November 7, 1989 60%https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/other/2022-1925-general-election-data.pdf General Election Data - 1924 to 2022 NJ.gov ( 8pp) File:James Florio headshot 1983.jpg 140x140px James Florio Democratic Party (United States) 1,379,937 61.23% File:Jim Courter.jpg Jim Courter Republican Party (United States) 838,553 37.21% 280px County results 280px Congressional district resultsOnly top two candidates Florio: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90%Courter: #e27f7f 50–60% Governor Thomas Kean Republican Party (United States) James Florio Democratic Party (United States) The 1989 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1989. Incumbent Republican Governor Thomas Kean was term-limited after two consecutive terms. Democrat James Florio, a U.S. Representative from Camden County and a twice-unsuccessful candidate for Governor, defeated Republican U.S. Representative Jim Courter by the lopsided marginhttps://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/03/nyregion/courter-won-t-run-for-house-again.html Courter Won't Run for House Again The New York Times DePalma Anthony March 3, 1990 of 61.2%-37.2%. Primary elections were held on Tuesday, June 6. Courter won the Republican nomination over a large field that included state Attorney General W. Cary Edwards, Speaker of the Assembly Chuck Hardwick, and State Senators Bill Gormley and Gerald Cardinale. Florio, who had run in 1977 and 1981, won the Democratic nomination with little trouble over Princeton mayor Barbara Boggs Sigmund and former Speaker Alan Karcher. The Washington Post called the election "one of the most negative gubernatorial campaigns in the state's history".https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1989/11/08/florio-wins-in-new-jersey/94547baa-d62b-4a3f-90b6-3b3c5ba57f0e// Florio Wins in New Jersey Washington Post Balz Dan November 8, 1989 Democrats also won back the New Jersey General Assembly on Florio's coattails. Republican primary Candidates Tom Blomquist, retired Coast Guard captainhttp://articles.philly.com/1989-05-16/news/26113469_1_candidates-political-process-political-office With Tough Odds, 3 Gop Hopefuls Rely On Ideas Instead Of Connections Saffron, Inga The Philadelphia Inquirer May 16, 1989 June 16, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150914082656/http://articles.philly.com/1989-05-16/news/26113469_1_candidates-political-process-political-office September 14, 2015 dead Gerald Cardinale, State Senator from Demarest Jim Courter, U.S. Representative from Hackettstown W. Cary Edwards, New Jersey Attorney General William Gormley, State Senator from Mays Landing Chuck Hardwick, Speaker of the General Assembly James A. Kolyer, industrial arts teacher Lois Rand, former head of the New Jersey Small Business Administration Speaker Hardwick announced his campaign on February 9.Hardwick to Run for Jersey Governor https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/09/nyregion/hardwick-to-run-for-jersey-governor.html 9 January 2015 The New York Times https://web.archive.org/web/20150109071158/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/09/nyregion/hardwick-to-run-for-jersey-governor.html January 9, 2015 dead Campaign Hardwick presented himself as a slightly more conservative version of Kean, even noting their physical similarities: part of his stump speech was to ask, "How can a Republican Assembly Speaker with a gap-toothed smile, who isn't a lawyer, expect to be Governor?" Nevertheless, he was critical of Kean's proposals for property tax reform, coastal commission to manage growth on the Jersey shore, and his renomination New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Wilentz, a liberal.Kerr Peter Jersey Speaker Sprints for Governor's Job https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/17/nyregion/jersey-speaker-sprints-for-governor-s-job.html 9 January 2015 The New York Times 17 March 1989 https://web.archive.org/web/20140705053424/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/17/nyregion/jersey-speaker-sprints-for-governor-s-job.html July 5, 2014 live subscriptionJanuary 2024 Hardwick, himself a former commuter, also picked a public fight on behalf of New Jersey commuters with Governor of New York Mario Cuomo, attacking New York's income tax on New Jerseyans working in New York City. The Hardwick campaign actively sought endorsement from New Jersey Right to Life, the NRA Political Victory Fund, and police officers' groups in an attempt to attract unaffiliated voters into the Republican primary.Sullivan Joseph F. Hardwick Stalks the Voters, Aiming for the Uncommitted The New York Times 1 June 1989 Hardwick won some early victories, including a non-binding Middlesex County Republican Convention, where he took 51% of the delegates in a county Courter represented in Congress. As the campaign concluded and polls showed Courter narrowly behind, he remained confident of victory.Kerr Peter G.O.P. Race Nears Finish, And Courter Is Confident https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/03/nyregion/gop-race-nears-finish-and-courter-is-confident.html 9 January 2015 The New York Times 3 June 1989 https://web.archive.org/web/20150109071325/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/03/nyregion/gop-race-nears-finish-and-courter-is-confident.html January 9, 2015 live subscriptionJanuary 2024 Endorsements List of Jim Courter endorsements U.S. Representatives Dean Gallo, U.S. Representative from Parsippany-Troy Hills County officials Kathleen Donovan, Bergen County Clerk List of W. Cary Edwards endorsements State executive branch officials Anthony M. Villane, New Jersey Commissioner of Community Affairs State legislators Pat Schuber, State Assemblyman from Bogota Individuals John Inganamort, chair of the Bergen County Republican Organization Bill Palatucci, campaign manager List of Bill Gormley endorsements Individuals George Geist, Camden County Republican Organization chair List of Chuck Hardwick endorsements Individuals Jeff Bell, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1978 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror GeraldCardinale JimCourter W. CaryEdwards BillGormley ChuckHardwick Undecided Political Media Research Inc.Poll finds GOP in dead heat https://www.newspapers.com/image/148174718 26 Aug 2022 subscription Johnston Jay Asbury Park Press 25 May 1989 1 newspapers.comEdwards moves ahead in GOP race, poll says Asbury Park Press 2 Jun 1989 26 Aug 2022 subscription https://www.newspapers.com/image/147548263 Conohan Sherry newspapers.comMay 19–22, 1989415±5.0% 5% 20% 12% 17% 16% 30% Political Media Research Inc.May 29–31, 1989±5.0% 4% 19% 23% 17% 21% 16% Campaign finance Primary campaign finance activityCandidateSpentJim Courter$2,516,660Cary Edwards$2,431,717Chuck Hardwick$2,383,704William Gormley$2,213,532Gerald Cardinale$1,150,994Tom Blomquist$26,789Source: New Jersey Election Law Enforcement CommissionNJ Election Law Enforcement Commission https://www.elec.nj.gov/publicinformation/gub_spendtotals.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20250624220958/https://www.elec.nj.gov/publicinformation/gub_spendtotals.htm 2025-06-24 2025-07-25 www.elec.nj.gov en Results Republican Party primary results Jim Courter Republican Party (United States) 112,326 29.02 W. Cary Edwards Republican Party (United States) 85,313 22.04 Chuck Hardwick Republican Party (United States) 82,392 21.29 William Gormley Republican Party (United States) 66,430 17.17 Gerald Cardinale Republican Party (United States) 32,250 8.33 Tom Blomquist Republican Party (United States) 3,791 0.98 Lois Rand Republican Party (United States) 2,553 0.66 James A. Kolyer Republican Party (United States) 1,963 0.51 387,018 100.00 On primary election night, Courter declared victory at around 11:15 P.M., after only Hardwick had conceded. He announced that his campaign would focus on lower insurance rates, lower property taxes, and a stronger death penalty. By then aware that Jim Florio would be his opponent, Courter said the race would be "a great confrontation... a great debate between two people."Caution gives way to elation at Courter camp Kelly Audrey The Central New Jersey Home News 6 7 Jun 1989 https://www.newspapers.com/image/317865269 subscription 26 Aug 2022 newspapers.com He emphasized his support for Governor Kean, whom he called "the greatest governor this state has ever had." Campaign advisors attributed his win to a strong performance in his own congressional district, where he outpolled the field two-to-one in every county. Edwards attributed his loss to Gormley: "We're good friends, but if one of us had been candidates, I think that the other one would have won."Dreams of victory fade for Edwards Reisner Neil The Central New Jersey Home News 6 7 Jun 1989 https://www.newspapers.com/image/317865269 subscription 26 Aug 2022 newspapers.com Hardwick admitted that his campaign had been slipping in internal polling and he had realized he would lose a week before the election.Hardwick remembers the moment he knew victory was not to be Hester Tom The Central New Jersey Home News 6 7 Jun 1989 https://www.newspapers.com/image/317865269 subscription 26 Aug 2022 newspapers.com All of the competitive candidates agreed to support Courter actively in the general election.Gormley heartened despite losing out to Courter The Central New Jersey Home News 6 7 Jun 1989 https://www.newspapers.com/image/317865269 subscription 26 Aug 2022 newspapers.com Democratic primary Candidates James Florio, U.S. Representative and candidate for governor in 1977 and 1981 Alan Karcher, former Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly Barbara Boggs Sigmund, Mayor of Princeton and former Mercer County Freeholder Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JimFlorio AlanKarcher BarbaraSigmund Undecided Political Media Research Inc.May 24, 1989 43% 16% 16% 26% Political Media Research Inc.May 29–31, 1989±5.0% 57% 12% 13% 17% Campaign finance Primary campaign finance activityCandidateSpentJim Florio$2,433,075Alan Karcher$1,190,191Barbara Sigmund$687,361Lois Rand$480Source: New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission Results Democratic Party primary resultshttps://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/1989/1989-primary-election-results-governor.pdf Candidates for the Office of Governor - State of New Jersey - Primary Election 1989 Secretary of State of New Jersey June 12, 2025 James Florio Democratic Party (United States) 251,979 68.23 Barbara Boggs Sigmund Democratic Party (United States) 61,033 16.53 Alan Karcher Democratic Party (United States) 56,311 15.25 369,323 100.00 General election Candidates Jim Courter, U.S. Representative from Hackettstown (Republican) James Florio, U.S. Representative from Camden and nominee for governor in 1981 (Democratic) Tom Fuscaldo, owner of a television antenna business (One Eye On)https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/05/nyregion/4-who-say-they-are-new-jersey-alternatives.html 4 Who Say They Are New Jersey Alternatives Sullivan, Joseph F. November 5, 1989 The New York Times June 16, 2015 Daniel M. Karlan, computer programmer (Libertarian) Catherine Renee Sedwick (Socialist Workers) Michael Ziruolo, trucking consultant (Better Affordable Government) Campaign Florio, who had run in the Democratic primary for Governor in 1977 and had lost an extremely close general election in 1981 to Thomas Kean, stressed in this campaign that he would govern more like Kean than the conservative Courter would. Florio also contended that he would lead an active government to combat potential overdevelopment and pollution.https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/08/nyregion/1989-elections-governor-elect-man-james-joseph-florio-careful-determined.html THE 1989 ELECTIONS: Governor-Elect MAN IN THE NEWS: James Joseph Florio; Careful and Determined November 8, 1993 Kerr, Peter The New York Times June 16, 2015 To moderate his positions, Florio promised a wider use of the state death penalty for drug crimes.http://articles.philly.com/1989-06-07/news/26107042_1_florio-and-courter-james-j-florio-warren-county https://web.archive.org/web/20160102172428/http://articles.philly.com/1989-06-07/news/26107042_1_florio-and-courter-james-j-florio-warren-county dead January 2, 2016 Top N.J. Race To Match Florio And Courter June 7, 1989 Paolantonia, S. A. The Philadelphia Inquirer June 16, 2015https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-11-01-mn-51988-story.html Voters Seem Dissatisfied, Uncertain on Election Eve : Campaigns: Gubernatorial, mayoral posts at stake. No sweeping winds of change gauged in off-year races. November 1, 1993 Los Angeles Times Brownstein, Ronald June 16, 2015 Florio also said: "You can write this statement down: 'Florio feels there is no need for new taxes'".https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/columnists/mike-kelly/2018/05/11/jim-florios-message-phil-murphy-raise-taxes-just-do/601214002/ Former NJ Gov. Jim Florio's message to Gov. Phil Murphy on raising taxes: Just do it NorthJersey.com Kelly Mike May 11, 2018 (Florio broke the latter promise in 1990, when he signed a $2.8-billion tax increase.) Following a Supreme Court ruling that would allow states to impose regulations on abortions, Courter—who had an anti-abortion voting record in Congress—sought to moderate his position, causing voters to distrust him.https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/09/us/1989-elections-abortion-question-backlash-polls-major-setbacks-prompt-gop-debate.html The 1989 Elections: The Abortion Question Backlash at the Polls; Major Setbacks Prompt G.O.P. Debate About Lessons for Future Candidates ((Apple, Jr., R. W.)) The New York Times November 9, 1989 June 16, 2015http://articles.philly.com/1989-10-04/news/26117165_1_abortion-issue-liberal-abortion-laws-catholics https://web.archive.org/web/20151222025914/http://articles.philly.com/1989-10-04/news/26117165_1_abortion-issue-liberal-abortion-laws-catholics dead December 22, 2015 Statewide Poll Shows Abortion Issue Hurting Courter Paolantonia, S. A. The Philadelphia Inquirer October 4, 1989 June 16, 2015 The campaign was notable for its negativity. In September, Florio released a televised attack ad contending that Courter had failed "to clean up toxic wastes on his own property". Courter challenged that assertion and accused Florio of taking campaign donations from a union with mob ties. According to The New York Times, "both candidates aired their own 'Pinocchio' spots accusing the other of lying on various issues". In their first debate, Courter called himself an environmentalist; Florio responded, 'Cut me a break'". Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JimFlorio (D) JimCourter (R) UndecidedStar-Ledger/EagletonStar-Ledger/EagletonSeptember 2025June 12–20, 1989647 RV±4.0% 49% 32% 17%Star-Ledger/EagletonSeptember 2025September 20–28, 1989707 LV±3.8% 53% 30% 17%Star-Ledger/EagletonSeptember 2025October 12–19, 1989727 LV±3.8% 49% 32% 19%Star-Ledger/EagletonSeptember 2025Oct. 29–Nov. 2, 1989989 LV±3.2% 54% 28% 18%632 PV±4.0% 54% 30% 16% Campaign finance Primary campaign finance activityCandidateSpentJim Florio$5,591,824Jim Courter$5,350,986Daniel Karlan$875Michael Ziruolo$150Source: New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission Results This is the most recent gubernatorial election in New Jersey in which the Democratic nominee won with over 60% of the vote, and the last in which either party did so until 2013. This is the only time Democrats carried Somerset County in a gubernatorial election between 1973 and 2017. New Jersey Gubernatorial Election, 1989http://www.njelections.org/election-results/1989-general-election-results-governor.pdf Candidates for the Office of Governor – State of New Jersey -- General Election Secretary of State of New Jersey 1989 June 16, 2015 Democratic Party (United States) James Florio 1,379,937 61.23% 31.91 Republican Party (United States) Jim Courter 838,553 37.21% 32.37 Libertarian Party (United States) Daniel M. Karlan 11,878 0.53% 0.29 Independent politician Michael Ziruolo 10,210 0.45% N/A Independent politician Tom Fuscaldo 6,989 0.31% N/A Socialist Workers Party (United States) Catherine Renee Sedwick 6,197 0.28% 0.09 541,384 24.02% 2,253,764 Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) By county County Florio % Florio votes Courter % Courter votes Other % Other votes Atlantic 64.8% 39,917 34.2% 21,087 0.9% 598 Bergen 59.2% 165,104 39.2% 109,184 1.6% 4,524 Burlington 62.8% 67,600 36.0% 38,774 1.3% 1,345 Camden 71.6% 106,836 27.5% 41,007 1.0% 1,448 Cape May 55.3% 19,642 43.4% 15,408 1.2% 445 Cumberland 63.5% 23,906 35.3% 13,304 1.2% 439 Essex 68.9% 131,835 29.9% 57,206 1.1% 2,206 Gloucester 68.8% 47,760 30.1% 20,871 1.2% 777 Hudson 73.7% 95,122 25.0% 32,215 1.4% 1,754 Hunterdon 42.9% 14,164 54.6% 18,046 2.5% 838 Mercer 68.5% 67,962 30.1% 29,887 1.3% 1,359 Middlesex 62.9% 120,157 35.1% 67,054 1.9% 3,749 Monmouth 57.7% 101,995 40.9% 72,403 1.4% 2,498 Morris 47.1% 61,678 51.7% 67,592 1.1% 1,567 Ocean 56.1% 83,587 42.1% 62,700 1.8% 2,669Passaic 60.5% 67,934 37.5% 42,106 2.0% 2,271 Salem 57.6% 11,644 39.3% 7,938 3.2% 637 Somerset 50.5% 37,159 47.3% 34,815 2.2% 1,679 Sussex 41.5% 14,901 56.0% 20,096 2.5% 890 Union 61.2% 89,419 36.7% 53,636 2.2% 3,039 Warren 45.8% 11,615 52.1% 13,224 2.1% 542 Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Atlantic Bergen Burlington Camden Cape May Cumberland Essex Gloucester Hudson Mercer Middlesex Monmouth Ocean Passaic Salem Somerset Union right 280px Swing by county 280px Trend by county Legend #09ceff Democratic—+>40% #4bdbff Democratic—+30%−40% #77e3ff Democratic—+20−30% #aaeeff Democratic—+10−20% #D5F6FF Democratic—+<10% #FFD5D5 Republican—+<10% #FFAAAA Republican—+10−20% #FF8080 Republican—+20−30% 280px County flips Legend Democratic #0671b0 Flip Republican #f48882 Hold Notes References 2 External links U.S. Election Atlas 1989 New Jersey Gubernatorial Category:November 1989 in the United States