1996 United States Senate election in New Jersey

none March 2026 September 2025 September 2023 1996 United States Senate election in New Jersey New Jersey presidential no 1990 United States Senate election in New Jersey 1990 2002 United States Senate election in New Jersey 2002 November 5, 1996 72%https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/other/2022-1925-general-election-data.pdf General Election Data - 1924 to 2022 NJ.gov ( 18pp) 150x150px Robert Torricelli.jpg Robert Torricelli Democratic Party (United States) 1,519,328 53.12% File:Dick Zimmer.jpg Dick Zimmer Republican Party (United States) 1,227,817 42.93% 280px County results 280px Congressional district resultsOnly top two candidates Torricelli: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% Zimmer: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% U.S. Senator Bill Bradley Democratic Party (United States) Robert Torricelli Democratic Party (United States) The 1996 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Bradley decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. The seat was won by Democratic congressman Robert Torricelli. Democratic primary Candidates Robert Torricelli, U.S. representative from Englewood Declined Rob Andrews, U.S. representative from BellmawrWilson Greg 17 Aug 1995 Bradley bows out; Menendez, Torricelli eye his Senate seat 1 The Jersey Journal https://www.newspapers.com/image/910223534/ subscription 7 Aug 2023 Bill Bradley, incumbent senator since 1979 (declined August 17, 1995) James Florio, former governor of New Jersey Ray Lesniak, state senator from Elizabeth Jim McGreevey, state senator and mayor of Woodbridge Bob Menendez, U.S. representative from Union City (declined October 21, 1995)Weiss Peter 24 Oct 1995 No delays next time 2 The Jersey Journal https://www.newspapers.com/image/910235436/ subscription 7 Aug 2023 Campaign Senator Bill Bradley announced on August 17, 1995, that he would not stand for a fourth term. Initial speculation in the Democratic Party centered on two North Jersey congressmen, Robert Torricelli and Robert Menendez. Torricelli, who had over $1.2 million in campaign funds on hand and had been contacting key players for several weeks in anticipation that Bradley would retire, immediately issued a statement claiming several prominent party members had urged him to run for the seat. Menendez, who had roughly $165,000 in funds, likewise issued a statement that he would give the race "serious consideration" and "look at it in terms of what's in the best interest of the party and the state." Menendez's decision was further complicated by the fact that Torricelli's district also included part of Hudson County, and many local politicians immediately endorsed Torricelli. In September, he requested that Hudson County politicians refrain from taking sides, given the potential for a competitive primary.Weiss Peter 12 Sep 1995 Menendez still in hunt 2 The Jersey Journal https://www.newspapers.com/image/910182815/ subscription 7 Aug 2023 Menendez ultimately announced he would not challenge Torricelli in October 1995, fueling immediate speculation that he would campaign for governor in 1997. Results 1996 Democratic U.S. Senate primaryUS Senate Primary Election Returns for election held June 4, 1996 https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/1996/1996-primary-election-results-us-senate.pdf New Jersey Department of State - Division of Elections Democratic Party (United States) Robert Torricelli 223,444 100.00% 223,444 100.00% Republican primary Candidates Richard DuHaime, Passaic County freeholder Dick LaRossa, state senator from Ewing Dick Zimmer, U.S. representative from Delaware Township Declined Michael Chertoff, former United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey Thomas Kean, former governor Marge Roukema, U.S. representative from Ridgewood Bret Schundler, mayor of Jersey City Campaign Zimmer announced his campaign before Bradley's announced retirement, and was the front-runner from the start, getting endorsements from Republican leaders across the state, including Governor Christine Todd Whitman. Bradley's retirement shook up the race, as several serious contenders, including the popular former Governor Thomas Kean, reconsidered whether to run. Both DuHaime, a pro-life candidate, and La Rossa, a pro-gun candidate, attempted to portray Zimmer as too liberal, but Zimmer largely ignored his opponents and won the primary easily.https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/05/nyregion/us-senate-race-in-new-jersey-narrows-to-zimmer-and-torricelli.html?st=cse&sq=DuHaime+larossa+zimmer&scp=1 U.S. Senate Race in New Jersey Narrows to Zimmer and Torricelli The New York Times 5 June 1996 Pulley Brett subscription Results 1996 Republican U.S. Senate primary Republican Party (United States) Dick Zimmer 144,121 68.0% Republican Party (United States) Richard DuHaime 42,155 19.9% Republican Party (United States) Dick La Rossa 25,608 12.1% 211,884 100.0% General election Candidates Robert Torricelli, U.S. representative from Englewood (Democratic) Dick Zimmer, U.S. representative from Delaware Township (Republican) Campaign Democratic U.S. Representative Robert Torricelli won his party's primary unopposed, and Republican U.S. Representative Dick Zimmer won his party's nomination easily. Torricelli defeated Zimmer in the general election by 10 points, while President Bill Clinton simultaneously carried New Jersey by almost 18% in his reelection bid. Third-party and independent candidates carried 4.8% of the vote. Like other Democratic candidates around the country, Torricelli tried to tie "Zig-Zag Zimmer" to House Speaker Newt Gingrich and attacked him for flip flopping on his positions on issues like Medicare, gun control and an increase in the minimum wage during the campaign. Zimmer tried to cast his opponent as a tax-and-spend liberal with ethical flaws. Military morale was also a part of the campaign. Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Key:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear Marginof error RobertTorricelli (D) DickZimmer (R) Other/undecidedRutgers-EagletonRutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025September 6–13, 1995 804 A ±3.5% 29% 34% 37% 707 RV ±3.5% 29% 34% 36%Rutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025 June 13–19, 1996 646 RV ±4.0% 39% 31% 31%Rutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025 September 5–11, 1996 627 RV ±4.0% 38% 32% 30%Rutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025 October 10–20, 1996 810 RV ±3.5% 40% 35% 25%Rutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025 Oct. 29–Nov. 1, 1996 810 RV ±3.5% 41% 37% 19% 508 LV ±4.5% 42% 41% 17% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Key:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear Marginof error JimFlorio (D) DickZimmer (R) Other/UndecidedRutgers-EagletonSeptember 2025September 6–13, 1995 804 A ±3.5% 39% 42% 19% 707 RV ±4.0% 39% 43% 18% Results General election resultsNJ 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) Robert Torricelli 1,519,328 53.12% +3.32% Republican Party (United States) Dick Zimmer 1,227,817 42.93% -4.47% Independent (United States) Richard J. Pezzullo 50,971 1.78% N/A Independent (United States) Paul A. Woomer 15,183 0.53% N/A Independent (United States) Olga L. Rodriguez 14,319 0.50% N/A Independent (United States) Mark Wise 13,683 0.48% N/A Independent (United States) Wilburt Kornegay 11,107 0.39% N/A Independent (United States) Steven J. Baeli 7,749 0.27% N/A 2,860,157 100.00% N/A Democratic Party (United States) By county CountyNJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Results Archive https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-information-results.shtml 2025-01-16 nj.gov Torricelli votes Torricelli % Zimmer votes Zimmer % Other votes Other % Atlantic41,56453.3%33,41642.8%3,0243.9% Bergen185,36553.6%150,65543.6%9,5442.9% Burlington73,51749.7%66,45044.9%7,9575.3% Camden105,93259.9%62,56435.4%8,2604.7% Cape May17,78643.2%22,04053.5%1,3783.4% Cumberland22,12953.6%16,88640.9%2,2465.5% Essex160,71467.9%68,28628.9%7,6083.2% Gloucester49,19051.7%40,10542.2%5,8306.2% Hudson111,53971.1%39,22025.0%6,1433.9% Hunterdon15,53831.2%31,00262.3%3,2476.5% Mercer67,86755.3%48,82939.8%6,1105.0% Middlesex133,12354.6%94,97839.0%15,5126.4% Monmouth108,06047.1%109,17347.6%11,9875.3% Morris73,92139.2%103,28354.8%11,3786.0% Ocean91,04147.4%92,50548.2%8,5274.4% Passaic74,11854.3%57,09041.8%5,4073.9% Salem11,73646.2%12,10247.6%1,5856.3% Somerset44,74841.4%58,39354.0%5,0684.7% Sussex18,15234.3%30,86558.4%3,8437.3% Union99,35655.5%69,78139.0%9,7845.4% Warren13,93238.0%20,19455.1%2,5236.9% Total1,519,32852.7%1,227,81742.6%136,9614.7% Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Bergen Passaic Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Salem Cape May 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% 280px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold #0671b0 Flip Republican #f48882 Hold #ca0120 Flip See also 1996 United States Senate elections References New Jersey 1996 United States Senate