1998 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

none February 2026 September 2023 1998 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey New Jersey legislative no 1996 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey 1996 2000 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey 2000 All 13 New Jersey seats to the United States House of Representatives 1998 11 03 42%https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/other/2022-1925-general-election-data.pdf General Election Data - 1924 to 2022 NJ.gov ( 30pp) Democratic Party (United States) 6 7 1 902,374 49.7% 1.82pp Republican Party (United States) 7 6 1 858,367 47.3% 2.27pp 300px District results 300px County results Democratic #86b6f2 50–60% #4389e3 60–70% #1666cb 70–80% #0645b4 80–90% Republican #e27f90 50–60% #CC2F4A 60–70% #d40000 70–80% The 1998 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 3, 1998, to determine who would represent the people of New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives. This election coincided with national elections for U.S. House and U.S. Senate. New Jersey had thirteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1990 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms. Democrats won the popular vote for the first time since 1986. Overview 1998 United States House of Representatives elections in New JerseyPartyVotesPercentageCandidatesSeats+/– Democratic 902,374 49.70%13 7 1 Republican 858,367 47.28%13 6 1 Independents 54,748 3.02%41 0 Totals 1,815,489 100.00%67 13 — District 1 New Jersey's 1st congressional district Incumbent Democrat Rob Andrews won. The district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties. Democratic primary Candidates Rob Andrews, incumbent Representative from Haddon Heights since 1990 Results 1998 Democratic primaryOfficial List: Primary Election Returns for the Office of U.S. House of Representatives for Election Held June 2, 1998 June 16, 1998 https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/1998/1998-pri-elect-results-us-house.pdf June 12, 2025 New Jersey Department of State Democratic Party (US) Rob Andrews (incumbent) 15,083 100.00% 15,083 100.00% Republican primary Candidates Ronald L. Richards, member of the Voorhees Township CommitteeDemasters Karen 1998-11-01 ELECTION '98; Who's Running for Congress or, in Some Cases, Walking https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/01/nyregion/election-98-who-s-running-for-congress-or-in-some-cases-walking.html 2025-06-16 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) Ronald L. Richards 4,423 100.00% 4,423 General election Candidates Rob Andrews, incumbent Representative from Haddon Heights since 1990 (Democratic) James E. Barber (Independent) Ronald L. Richards, member of the Voorhees Township Committee (Republican) Ed Forchion, marijuana legalization activist (Independent) Joseph W. Stockman (Independent) David E. West Jr. (Independent) Campaign Given this district's strong Democratic lean, the general election was a foregone conclusion in favor of the incumbent Andrews, who easily outraised his opponent. Richards touted his success in cutting local taxes and criticized Andrews, who had spent much of 1997 running for governor, for missing votes in Congress. Results 1998 U.S. House electionhttps://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/1998/1998-gen-elect-results-us--house.pdf Official List: Candidate Returns for House of Representatives for November 1998 General Election December 1, 1998 June 12, 2025 Democratic Party (US) Rob Andrews (incumbent) 90,279 73.19% 2.93 Republican Party (United States) Ronald L. Richards 27,855 22.58% 1.56 Independent politician David E. West Jr. 1,684 1.37% N/AIndependent politician Joseph W. Stockman 1,324 1.07% N/AIndependent politician Ed Forchion 1,257 1.02% N/AIndependent politician James E. Barber 943 0.76% N/A 123,342 100.00% Democratic Party (US) District 2 New Jersey's 2nd congressional district Incumbent Republican Frank A. LoBiondo won. This district, the largest in South Jersey, included all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties and parts of Burlington and Gloucester. Republican primary Candidates Frank LoBiondo, incumbent Representative since 1995 Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) Frank LoBiondo (incumbent) 16,384 100.00% 16,384 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates Derek Hunsberger, Rowan University administrator Results 1998 Democratic primary Democratic Party (US) Derek Hunsberger 5,102 100.00% 5,102 100.00% General election Candidates Glenn Campbell (Independent) Derek Hunsberger, Rowan University administrator (Democratic) Frank LoBiondo, incumbent Representative since 1995 (Republican) Mary A. Whittam (Independent) Candidate Hunsberger, who was only 28, ran without the support of Democratic leadership and described himself as an "angry voter candidate" opposed to the two-party system. He refused to raise money and instead focused on direct voter outreach. Results 1998 U.S. House election Republican Party (US) Frank LoBiondo (incumbent) 93,248 65.89% 5.58 Democratic Party (US) Derek Hunsberger 43,563 30.78% 7.23 Independent politician Glenn Campbell 2,955 2.09% N/A Independent politician Mary A. Whittam 1,748 1.24% N/A 141,514 100.00% Republican Party (United States) District 3 New Jersey's 3rd congressional district Incumbent Republican Jim Saxton won. This district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties. Republican primary Candidates Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative from Mount Holly since 1984 Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) Jim Saxton (incumbent) 12,254 100.00% 12,254 100.00% General election Candidates Ken Feduniewicz, candidate for this district in 1996 (Independent) Steven J. Polansky, attorney and former member of the Cherry Hill Board of Education (Democratic) James Pircher (Independent) Janice Presser, candidate for this district in 1996 (Independent) Jim Saxton, incumbent Representative from Mount Holly since 1984 (Republican) Norman E. Wahner, candidate for the 1st district in 1996 (Independent) Results 1998 U.S. House election Republican Party (US) Jim Saxton (incumbent) 97,508 62.01% 2.20 Democratic Party (US) Steven J. Polansky 55,248 35.14% 1.88 Independent politician Janice Presser 2,527 1.61% 0.37 Independent politician Norman E. Wahner 1,063 0.68% N/AIndependent politician James Pircher 608 0.39% N/AIndependent politician Ken Feduniewicz 285 0.18% 0.09 157,239 100.00% Republican Party (US) District 4 New Jersey's 4th congressional district Incumbent Republican Chris Smith won. This district, in Central Jersey, consisted of parts of Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties. Republican primary Candidates Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981 Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) Chris Smith (incumbent) 20,062 100.00% 20,062 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates Paul Rizzo Lewis duPont Smith Larry Schneider, software development executive Paul D. Teel Results 1998 Democratic primary Democratic Party (US) Larry Schneider 6,238 78.33%Democratic Party (US) Paul Rizzo 1,099 13.80%Democratic Party (US) Lewis duPont Smith 316 3.97%Democratic Party (US) Paul D. Teel 311 3.91% 7,964 100.00% General election Candidates Nick Mellis (Independent) Keith Quarles, candidate for the sixth district in 1996 (Independent) Larry Schneider, software development executive (Democratic) Chris Smith, incumbent Representative since 1981 (Republican) Morgan Strong, candidate for this district in 1996 (Independent) Campaign Schneider criticized Smith for using abortion to derail United States funding for the United Nations; Smith's position on abortion had been a consistent target for his Democratic opponents. Results 1998 U.S. House election Republican Party (US) Chris Smith (incumbent) 92,991 62.17% 1.45 Democratic Party (US) Larry Schneider 52,281 34.95% 1.24 Independent politician Keith Quarles 1,753 1.17% N/A Independent (politician) Morgan Strong 1,498 1.00% 0.12Independent politician Nick Mellis 1,054 0.70% N/A 149,577 100.00% Republican Party (US) District 5 New Jersey's 5th congressional district Incumbent Marge Roukema won after facing a strong primary challenge from assemblyman Scott Garrett. This district included parts of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties and all of Warren County. Republican primary Candidates Scott Garrett, assemblyman from Wantage Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981 Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) Marge Roukema (incumbent) 16,215 52.80%Republican Party (United States) Scott Garrett 14,498 47.20% 30,713 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates Mike Schneider, former television anchorman Results 1998 Democratic primary Democratic Party (US) Mike Schneider 5,605 100.00% 5,605 100.00% General election Candidates Helen Hamilton, candidate for this district in 1994 and 1996 (Independent) Marge Roukema, incumbent Representative from Ridgewood since 1981 (Republican) Mike Schneider, former television anchorman (Democratic) William Weightman (Independent) Thomas W. Wright (Independent) Campaign Schneider, who had never run for public office, ran his campaign on a limited budget, did not have consultants or media advisors, and refused to accept money from political action committees. Results 1998 U.S. House election Republican Party (US) Marge Roukema (incumbent) 106,304 63.72% 7.57 Democratic Party (US) Mike Schneider 55,487 33.26% 8.51Independent politician Thomas W. Wright 2,395 1.44% N/A Independent politician William Weightman 1,628 0.96% N/AIndependent politician Helen Hamilton 1,004 0.60% 0.06 166,818 100.00% Republican Party (US) District 6 New Jersey's 6th congressional district Incumbent Democrat Frank Pallone won. This district included parts of Middlesex and Monmouth counties. Democratic primary Candidates Frank Pallone, incumbent Representative from Long Branch since 1988 Results 1998 Democratic primary Democratic Party (US) Frank Pallone (incumbent) 24,475 100.00% 24,475 Republican primary Candidates Mike Ferguson, Brookdale College political science professor Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) Mike Ferguson 4,905 100.00% 4,905 100.00% General election Candidates Mike Ferguson, Brookdale College political science professor (Republican) Leonard P. Marshall (Independent) Carl J. Mayer, consumer advocate, member of the Princeton Township Council, and runner-up in the 1996 and 1998 Democratic primaries in the twelfth district (Green) Steve Nagle (Independent) Frank Pallone, incumbent Representative from Long Branch since 1988 (Democratic) Campaign Carl J. Mayer, who finished second in the Democratic primary in the neighboring twelfth district for the second consecutive election, went to court to win the right to run as an independent against Pallone. Although Pallone had supported Rush Holt, his primary opponent, Mayer claimed he had no personal animosity towards Pallone. His campaign was self-financed. Mike Ferguson, a political science professor, ran a well-financed challenge with funding from the national and state Republican committees and the New Conservative Leadership Fund; he was able to run television commercials and full-page newspaper advertisements attacking Pallone. Although Pallone would typically be heavily favored on the basis of the district's Democratic lean, Karen Demasters of The New York Times reported it to be a toss-up in the final week of campaigning, given two well-funded challengers. Results 1998 U.S. House election Democratic Party (US) Frank Pallone Jr. (incumbent) 78,102 57.00% 4.25 Republican Party (US) Mike Ferguson 55,180 40.27% 4.20 Green Party of the United States Carl J. Mayer 1,291 0.94% N/A Independent politician Steve Nagle 1,262 0.92% N/A Independent politician Leonard P. Marshall 1,177 0.86% N/A 137,012 100.00% Democratic Party (US) District 7 New Jersey's 7th congressional districtIncumbent Bob Franks won. This district included parts of Essex, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties. Republican primary Candidates Bob Franks, incumbent Representative from Summit since 1993 Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) Bob Franks (incumbent) 8,955 100.00% 8,955 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates Maryanne Connelly, mayor of Fanwood Results 1998 Democratic primary Democratic Party (US) Maryanne Connelly 7,151 100.00% 7,151 100.00% General election Candidates Maryanne Connelly, mayor of Fanwood (Democratic) Bob Franks, incumbent Representative from Summit since 1993 (Republican) Richard C. Martin (Independent) Darren Young (Independent) Campaign Franks, who had been handily elected to three terms in office, campaigned on the Republican record in Congress, including balancing the budget and welfare reform. Connelly criticized Franks for neglecting his duties to his district, arguing that he was focused on running for governor in 2001 rather than his job in Washington. She proposed low-interest loans for middle-income families to cover the costs of college and opposed school vouchers, which she argued would undermine the public school system. Although the district was Republican-leaning, Connelly expected to gain support from opponents of the ongoing Clinton impeachment proceedings, who believed that Republicans were persecuting the president. Results 1998 U.S. House election Republican Party (US) Bob Franks (incumbent) 77,751 52.52% 2.87 Democratic Party (US) Maryanne Connelly 65,778 44.43% 2.60 Independent politician Richard C. Martin 3,007 2.03% N/AIndependent politician Darren Young 1,508 1.02% N/A 148,042 100.00% Republican Party (US) District 8 New Jersey's 8th congressional district Incumbent Democrat Bill Pascrell won. This district included parts of Essex and Passaic counties. Democratic primary Candidates Bill Pascrell, incumbent Representative from Paterson since 1997 Results 1998 Democratic primary Democratic Party (US) Bill Pascrell (incumbent) 10,167 100.00% 10,167 100.00% Republican primary Candidates Matthew J. Kirnan, attorney and mayor of Verona Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) Matthew J. Kirnan 6,871 100.00% 6,871 100.00% General election Candidates Jose L. Aravena (Independent) Thomas Paine Caslander (Independent) Bernard George, Conservative Party nominee for this district in 1994 (Independent) Matthew J. Kirnan, attorney and mayor of Verona (Republican) Jeffrey Levine, candidate for this district in 1996 (Independent) Bill Pascrell, incumbent Representative from Paterson since 1997 (Democratic) Stephen Spinosa (Independent) Campaign After three consecutive competitive elections, the Republican Party initially expected to challenge Bill Pascrell for re-election. Their nominee, Matthew Kirnan, was the mayor of Verona and an ally of James Treffinger, who led the Essex County ticket. He also benefited from running with popular sheriff Edwin Englehardt in Passaic County. Both Governor Christine Todd Whitman and former governor Thomas Kean campaigned in the district for Kirnan, who emphasized education reform in his campaign, including support for competitive standardized testing and merit pay for teachers. However, the urban cores of the district in Paterson and Passaic had turned out for Bill Clinton in 1996 and Jim McGreevey in 1997, and Pascrell appeared to have late momentum. Results 1998 U.S. House election Democratic Party (US) Bill Pascrell Jr. (incumbent) 81,068 62.08% 10.88 Republican Party (US) Matthew J. Kirnan 46,289 35.45% 12.51 Independent politician Jeffrey Levine 804 0.62% 0.22 Independent politician Stephen Spinosa 762 0.58% N/AIndependent politician Bernard George 722 0.55% N/AIndependent politician Thomas Paine Caslander 625 0.48% N/AIndependent politician Jose L. Aravena 318 0.24% N/A 130,588 100.00% Democratic Party (US) District 9 New Jersey's 9th congressional district Incumbent Democrat Steve Rothman won. Democratic primary Candidates Steve Rothman, incumbent Representative from Fair Lawn since 1997 Results 1998 Democratic primary Democratic Party (US) Steve Rothman (incumbent) 14,364 100.00% 14,364 100.00% Republican primary Candidates Steve Lonegan, mayor of Bogota Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) Steve Lonegan 7,162 100.00% 7,162 100.00% General election Candidates Kenneth Ebel (Independent) Michael W. Koontz (Independent) Steve Lonegan, mayor of Bogota (Republican) Michael Perrone Jr. (Independent) Steve Rothman, incumbent Representative from Fair Lawn since 1997 (Democratic) Campaign Steve Lonegan, who had built a political profile by fighting the Federal Aviation Administration over aircraft noise, received full support from the Republican National Committee and national Republican leadership, including 1996 presidential nominee Bob Dole. Republicans considered Rothman vulnerable, particularly in an off-year election without Bill Clinton and Bob Torricelli leading the Democratic ticket. In contrast to 1996, when Rothman handily defeated Republican nominee Kathleen Donovan, Lonegan was less widely known and more conservative. Results 1998 U.S. House election Democratic Party (US) Steve Rothman (incumbent) 91,330 64.56% 9.47 Republican Party (US) Steve Lonegan 47,817 33.80% 8.71 Independent politician Michael Perrone Jr. 1,349 0.95% N/AIndependent politician Michael W. Koontz 686 0.48% N/AIndependent politician Kenneth Ebel 277 0.20% N/A 141,459 100.00% Democratic Party (US) District 10 New Jersey's 10th congressional district Incumbent Democrat Donald M. Payne won. The district included parts of Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. Democratic primary Candidates Donald M. Payne, incumbent Representative from Newark since 1989 Dennis Speed Results 1998 Democratic primaryDemocratic Party (US) Donald M. Payne (incumbent) 24,747 91.65%Democratic Party (US) Dennis Speed 2,254 8.35% 27,001 100.00% Republican primary Candidates William Stanley Wnuck, computer scientist Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) William Stanley Wnuck 1,431 100.00% 1,431 100.00% General election Candidates Donald M. Payne, incumbent Representative from Newark since 1989 (Democratic) Richard J. Pezzullo (Independent) Maurice Williams (Independent) William Stanley Wnuck, computer scientist (Republican) Campaign Wnuck, who came from a family of perennial candidates and was given little chance of defeating Payne, focused his campaign on cutting taxes using the federal budget surplus and opposition to urban revitalization projects in downtown Newark, which he had argued did not help middle-class workers. Results 1998 U.S. House election Democratic Party (US) Donald M. Payne (incumbent) 82,244 83.50% 0.66 Republican Party (US) William Stanley Wnuck 10,678 10.84% 3.78Independent politician Richard J. Pezzullo 3,293 3.34% N/A Independent politician Maurice Williams 2,279 2.31% N/A 98,494 100.00% Democratic Party (US) District 11 New Jersey's 11th congressional district Incumbent Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen won. This district consisted of all of Morris County and parts of Essex, Passaic, Somerset, and Sussex counties. Republican primary Candidates Rodney Frelinghuysen, incumbent Representative since 1995 Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) Rodney Frelinghuysen (incumbent) 26,174 100.00% 26,174 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates James D. Kelly Jr. Frank C. Marmo John Mele John P. Scollo, attorney for Prudential Insurance Results 1998 Democratic primary Democratic Party (US) John P. Scollo 4,346 66.65%Democratic Party (US) James D. Kelly Jr. 900 13.80%Democratic Party (US) Frank C. Marmo 853 13.08%Democratic Party (US) John Mele 422 6.47% 6,521 100.00% General election Candidates Stephen A. Bauer (Independent) Rodney Frelinghuysen, incumbent Representative since 1995 (Republican) Agnes A. James (Independent) Austin S. Lett, candidate for this district in 1996 (Independent) John P. Scollo, attorney for Prudential Insurance (Democratic) Campaign Scollo, who acknowledged he faced an uphill battle to defeat Frelinghuysen, criticized the campaign finance system which required enormous amounts of money to defeat an incumbent. He proposed a tax plan which allowed families to have $35,000 in untaxed income to enable them to "start fighting the battle of the bills by being able to save again." Results 1998 U.S. House election Republican Party (US) Rodney Frelinghuysen (incumbent) 100,910 67.74% 1.47 Democratic Party (US) John P. Scollo 44,160 29.95% 0.91 Independent politician Austin S. Lett 1,737 1.17% 0.14 Independent politician Agnes A. James 1,409 0.95% N/AIndependent politician Stephen A. Bauer 755 0.05% N/A 148,971 100.00% Republican Party (US) District 12 1998 New Jersey's 12th congressional district election New Jersey presidential no 1998 United States House of Representatives elections 1996 2000 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey#District 12 2000 November 3, 1998 x145px Rush Holt, official 109th Congress photo.jpg Rush Holt Jr. Democratic Party (United States) 92,528 50.1% Mike Pappas.jpg Mike Pappas Republican Party (United States) 87,221 47.2% U.S. Representative Mike Pappas Republican Party (United States) Rush Holt Jr. Democratic Party (United States) New Jersey's 12th congressional district Incumbent Republican Mike Pappas ran for a second term in office but was defeated by Rush Holt Jr. Pappas's campaign sank after he sang "Twinkle, Twinkle, Kenneth Starr" on the floor of the House during the Clinton impeachment proceedings. Holt used the clip of Pappas singing in widely aired advertisements. This district, based in Central Jersey, included all of Hunterdon County and parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Somerset counties. Republican primary Candidates Mike Pappas, incumbent Representative since 1997 Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) Mike Pappas 16,277 100.00% 16,277 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates Rush Holt Jr., assistant director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, candidate for this seat in 1996 and son of U.S. Senator Rush Holt Carl J. Mayer, consumer advocate, member of the Princeton Township Committee and candidate for this seat in 1996 Results 1998 Democratic primary Democratic Party (US) Rush Holt 10,177 63.58%Democratic Party (US) Carl J. Mayer 5,830 36.42% 16,007 100.00% General election Candidates Mary Jo Christian (Independent) Rush Holt Jr., assistant director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, candidate for this seat in 1996 and son of U.S. Senator Rush Holt (Democratic) Beverly Kidder (Independent) Mike Pappas, incumbent Representative since 1997 (Republican) Joseph Siano (Independent) Campaign Holt, who emerged from the contentious Democratic primary with low name recognition, was given a slight chance of winning. Although Republican leadership strove to portray this as a safe district, this was the only New Jersey district in which an incumbent Republican was targeted by the Democratic National Committee. Pappas, who was much more conservative than his predecessor Dick Zimmer, also won by a much smaller margin in 1996 than had been typical for Zimmer. Results 1998 U.S. House election Democratic Party (US) Rush Holt Jr. 92,528 50.12% 2.77 Republican Party (US) Mike Pappas (incumbent) 87,221 47.25% 3.95 Independent politician Joseph A. Siano 2,125 1.15% N/AIndependent politician Madelyn R. Hoffman 1,409 0.76% N/A Independent politician Beverly Kidder 749 0.41% N/AIndependent politician Mary Jo Christian 578 0.31% N/A 184,610 100.00% Democratic Party (US) Republican Party (US) District 13 New Jersey's 13th congressional district Incumbent Democrat Bob Menendez won. This district included parts of Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, and Union counties. Democratic primary Candidates Bob Menendez, incumbent Representative from Union City since 1993 Results 1998 Democratic primary Democratic Party (US) Bob Menendez (incumbent) 25,067 100.00% 25,067 100.00% Republican primary Candidates Theresa de Leon, attorney and chief financial officer for the Legal Aid Society of New York Carlos E. Munoz Results 1998 Republican primary Republican Party (US) Theresa de Leon 2,748 68.99% Republican Party (US) Carlos E. Munoz 1,235 31.01% 3,983 100.00% General election Candidates Susan Anmuth (Independent) Theresa de Leon, attorney and chief financial officer for the Legal Aid Society of New York (Republican) Dick Hester, Republican candidate for this district in 1996 (Independent) Bob Menendez, incumbent Representative from Union City since 1993 (Democratic) Richard G. Rivera (Independent) Campaign De Leon, a self-identified "progressive conservative", criticized Menendez for his ambition, arguing that he would seek to run for U.S. Senate in 2000 and neglect his duties to the district. Results 1998 U.S. House election Democratic Party (US) Bob Menendez (incumbent) 70,306 80.06% 1.23 Republican Party (US) Theresa de Leon 14,615 16.64% 0.69 Independent politician Dick Hester 1,276 1.45% N/A Independent Richard G. Rivera 872 0.99% N/A Independent (politician) Susan Anmuth 752 0.86% N/A 87,823 100.00% Democratic Party (US) References New Jersey Category:1998 New Jersey elections 1998