1980 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

1980 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →
All 15 New Jersey seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Last election 10 5 Seats won 8 7 Seat change 2 2 Popular vote 1,316,100 1,368,981 Percentage 48.0% 49.9%

The 1980 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 4, 1980, to determine who would represent the people of New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives. This election coincided with national elections for President, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. New Jersey had fourteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1980 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms.

Overview

1980 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey[1]
Party		Votes	Percentage	Candidates	Seats	+/–
	Democratic	1,316,100	48.01%	15	8	2
	Republican	1,368,981	49.94%	15	7	2
	Libertarian	27,572	1.01%	15	0
	Citizens	3,025	0.11%	2	0
	Socialist Labor	2,923	0.11%	4	0
	Socialist Workers	1,869	0.07%	2	0
	Constitution	666	0.02%	1	0
	Socialist	643	0.02%	1	0
	Independents	47,188	1.72%	13	0
Totals		2,741,395	100.00%	54	15

District 1

See also: New Jersey's 1st congressional district

1980 New Jersey's 1st congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee James Florio Scott Sibert Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 147,352 42,154 Percentage 76.7% 21.9%

U.S. Representative before election James Florio Democratic Elected U.S. Representative James Florio Democratic

Incumbent Democrat James Florio won. The district included Gloucester County and parts of Camden County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James Florio (incumbent)	33,181	100.00%
Total votes			33,181	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Scott L. Sibert

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Scott L. Sibert	9,742	100.00%
Total votes			9,742	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Scott L. Sibert (Republican)
• James Florio, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Republican)
• Julius Levin, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
• Thomas S. Watson Jr. (Independent)
• Ronald K. Wishart (Libertarian)

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	James Florio (incumbent)	147,352	76.71%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	Scott L. Sibert	42,154	21.95%
	Independent	Thomas S. Watson Jr.	1,327	0.69%
	Libertarian	Ronald K. Wishart	1,029	0.54%
	Socialist Labor	Julius Levin	219	0.11%
Total votes			192,081	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 2

See also: New Jersey's 2nd congressional district

1980 New Jersey's 2nd congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee William J. Hughes Beech Fox Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 135,437 97,072 Percentage 57.5% 41.2%

U.S. Representative before election William J. Hughes Democratic Elected U.S. Representative William J. Hughes Democratic

Incumbent William J. Hughes won. This district, the largest in South Jersey, included all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties and parts of Burlington and Ocean counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William J. Hughes (incumbent)	15,360	100.00%
Total votes			15,360	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Beech N. Fox, Cape May County sheriff^[4]
• John J. Mahoney, chair of the Atlantic County Young Republicans^[4]

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Beech N. Fox	19,143	63.42%
	Republican	John J. Mahoney	11,041	36.58%
Total votes			30,184	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Beech N. Fox, Cape May County sheriff^[4] (Republican)
• Adele Frisch (Socialist Labor)
• William J. Hughes, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
• Robert C. Rothhouse (Libertarian)

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	William J. Hughes (incumbent)	135,437	57.46%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	Beech N. Fox	97,072	41.18%
	Libertarian	Robert C. Rothhouse	2,262	0.96%
	Socialist Labor	Adele Frisch	939	0.40%
Total votes			235,710	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 3

1980 New Jersey's 3rd congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee James J. Howard Marie Sheehan Muhler Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 106,269 104,184 Percentage 49.9% 49.0%

U.S. Representative before election James J. Howard Democratic Elected U.S. Representative James J. Howard Democratic

See also: New Jersey's 3rd congressional district

Incumbent Democrat James J. Howard won.

This district included parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• James J. Howard, incumbent Representative since 1965

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James J. Howard (incumbent)	20,522	100.00%
Total votes			20,522	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Marie Sheehan Muhler, assemblywoman from Marlboro

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Marie Sheehan Muhler	16,540	100.00%
Total votes			16,540	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Lawrence D. Erickson (Socialist)
• James J. Howard, incumbent Representative since 1965 (Democratic)
• Marie Sheehan Muhler, assemblywoman from Marlboro (Republican)
• Tom Palven (Libertarian)
• L. James Wilson (J.E.B. Party Inc.)

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	James J. Howard (incumbent)	106,269	49.93%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	Marie Sheehan Muhler	104,184	48.95%
	Libertarian	Tom Palven	1,450	0.68%
	Socialist	Lawrence D. Erickson	643	0.30%
	Independent	L. James Wilson	284	0.13%
Total votes			212,830	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 4

See also: New Jersey's 4th congressional district

1980 New Jersey's 4th congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee Chris Smith Frank Thompson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 95,447 68,480 Percentage 56.6% 40.6%

U.S. Representative before election Frank Thompson Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Chris Smith Republican

Incumbent Republican Chris Smith won. This district, in Central Jersey, consisted of parts of Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Frank Thompson, incumbent Representative since 1955

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank Thompson (incumbent)	20,713	100.00%
Total votes			20,713	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Chris Smith, chair of the New Jersey Right to Life Committee and nominee for this district in 1978
• John D. Scalamonti, former Catholic priest and convert to Orthodox Judaism^[5]

Declined

• Jeff Bell, nominee for U.S. Senate in 1978^[6]
• John K. Rafferty, mayor of Hamilton Township^[6]

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Smith	8,121	82.89%
	Republican	John D. Scalamonti	1,676	17.11%
Total votes			9,797	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Jack Moyers (Libertarian)
• Paul B. Rizzo (Independent)
• Chris Smith, chair of the New Jersey Right to Life Committee and nominee for this district in 1978 (Republican)
• Frank Thompson, incumbent Representative since 1955 (Democratic)

Campaign

After Thompson was indicted on charges of bribery and conspiracy in connection with the Abscam FBI sting operation, Republicans considered replacing Smith with a more established candidate. Two such potential candidates, 1978 U.S. Senate nominee Jeff Bell and Hamilton Township mayor Jack Rafferty, declined.^[6]

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Chris Smith	95,447	56.64%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	Frank Thompson (incumbent)	68,480	40.64%
	Libertarian	Jack Moyers	2,801	1.66%
	Independent	Paul B. Rizzo	1,776	1.05%
Total votes			168,504	100.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 5

1980 New Jersey's 5th congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee Millicent Fenwick Kieran Pillion Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 156,016 41,269 Percentage 77.5% 20.5%

U.S. Representative before election Millicent Fenwick Republican Elected U.S. Representative Millicent Fenwick Republican

See also: New Jersey's 5th congressional district

Incumbent Millicent Fenwick won. This district included Somerset County and parts of Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, and Morris counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Millicent Fenwick, incumbent Representative since 1975
• Larry C. A. Haverly

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Millicent Fenwick (incumbent)	23,419	69.91%
	Republican	Larry C. A. Haverly	10,080	30.09%
Total votes			33,499	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Kieran E. Pillion Jr., recent graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law^[7]
• William R. Norris II

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kieran E. Pillion Jr.	6,839	51.24%
	Democratic	William R. Norris II	6,507	48.76%
Total votes			13,346	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Millicent Fenwick, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Republican)
• Jasper C. Gould (Contempt of Court)
• Kieran E. Pillion Jr., recent graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law (Democratic)
• Carl R. Samson (Libertarian)

Campaign

In the general election, Fenwick and Pillion agreed to a spending cap of $22,500. Ultimately, Pillion was only able to raise about $7,200.^[7]

Fenwick's campaign was managed by future state senator Kip Bateman.^[7]

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Millicent Fenwick (incumbent)	156,016	77.50%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	Kieran E. Pillion Jr.	41,269	20.50%
	Libertarian	Carl R. Samson	2,465	1.22%
	Independent	Jasper C. Gould	1,549	0.77%
Total votes			201,299	100.00%
Turnout			134,220	46.32%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 6

See also: New Jersey's 6th congressional district

1980 New Jersey's 6th congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee Edwin B. Forsythe Lewis Weinstein Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 125,792 92,227 Percentage 56.3% 41.3%

U.S. Representative before election Edwin B. Forsythe Republican Elected U.S. Representative Edwin B. Forsythe Republican

Incumbent Republican Edwin B. Forsythe won.

This district included parts of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Richard D. Amber, candidate for this district in 1978^[8]
• Edwin B. Forsythe, incumbent Representative from Moorestown since 1970

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Edwin B. Forsythe (incumbent)	18,768	89.82%
	Republican	Richard D. Amber	2,126	10.18%
Total votes			20,894	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Alene S. Ammond, former state senator from Cherry Hill
• Bruce MacNaul, Burlington County Surrogate^[8]
• Lewis M. Weinstein, former Cherry Hill township manager^[8]

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Lewis M. Weinstein	9,713	36.51%
	Democratic	Bruce MacNaul	8,535	32.08%
	Democratic	Alene S. Ammond	8,357	31.41%
Total votes			26,605	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Bernardo S. Doganiero, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
• Virginia A. Flynn (Libertarian)
• Edwin B. Forsythe, incumbent Representative from Moorestown since 1970 (Republican)
• John Kinnevy III (Citizens)
• Donald L. Smith (Constitution)
• Lewis M. Weinstein (Democratic)

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Edwin B. Forsythe (incumbent)	125,792	56.34%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	Lewis M. Weinstein	92,227	41.31%
	Libertarian	Virginia A. Flynn	2,165	0.97%
	Citizens	John Kinnevy III	1,848	0.83%
	Constitution	Donald L. Smith	666	0.30%
	Socialist Labor	Bernardo S. Doganiero	556	0.25%
Total votes			223,254	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 7

1980 New Jersey's 7th congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee Marge Roukema Andrew Maguire Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 108,760 99,737 Percentage 50.8% 46.6%

U.S. Representative before election Andrew Maguire Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Marge Roukema Republican

Incumbent Andrew Maguire ran for a fourth term in office but was defeated by Marge Roukema. This district included western parts of Bergen County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Andrew Maguire, incumbent Representative since 1975

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Andrew Maguire (incumbent)	23,452	100.00%
Total votes			23,452	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Marge Roukema, former member of the Ridgewood Board of Education and nominee for this district in 1978

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Marge Roukema	16,880	100.00%
Total votes			16,880	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Andrew Maguire, incumbent Representative since 1975 (Democratic)
• Patrick Randazzo (Pro-Life Independent)
• Marge Roukema, former member of the Ridgewood Board of Education and nominee for this district in 1978 (Republican)
• Robert Shapiro (Libertarian)
• Martin E. Wendelken (Independent)

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Marge Roukema	108,760	50.85%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	Andrew Maguire (incumbent)	99,737	46.63%
	Independent	Patrick Randazzo	3,594	1.68%
	Libertarian	Robert Shapiro	1,640	0.77%
	Independent	Martin E. Wendelken	612	0.29%
Total votes			213,893	100.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 8

See also: New Jersey's 8th congressional district

1980 New Jersey's 8th congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee Robert A. Roe William Cleveland Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 116,128 44,625 Percentage 67.2% 31.4%

U.S. Representative before election Robert A. Roe Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Robert A. Roe Democratic

Incumbent Robert Roe won. This district included parts of Bergen and Passaic counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Robert A. Roe (incumbent)	14,662	100.00%
Total votes			14,662	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• William R. Cleveland

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William R. Cleveland	7,072	100.00%
Total votes			7,072	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• William R. Cleveland (Republican)
• Michael Horowitz (Libertarian)
• Donald Rabel (Socialist Labor)
• Robert A. Roe, incumbent Representative from Wayne since 1969 (Democratic)

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert A. Roe (incumbent)	95,493	67.15%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	William R. Cleveland	44,625	31.38%
	Socialist Labor	Donna Rabel	1,209	0.85%
	Libertarian	Michael Horowitz	874	0.61%
Total votes			142,201	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 9

See also: New Jersey's 9th congressional district

1980 New Jersey's 9th congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee Harold C. Hollenbeck Gabriel Ambrosio Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 116,128 75,321 Percentage 59.1% 38.3%

U.S. Representative before election Harold C. Hollenbeck Republican Elected U.S. Representative Harold C. Hollenbeck Republican

Incumbent Democrat Bob Torricelli won. This district consisted of parts of Bergen and Hudson counties.

As of 2025, this is the most recent election in which a Republican was elected to represent any portion of Hudson County.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Harold Hollenbeck, incumbent Representative from East Rutherford since 1977

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Harold C. Hollenbeck (incumbent)	12,050	100.00%
Total votes			12,050	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Gabriel M. Ambrosio, Lyndhurst attorney and candidate for Bergen County Freeholder in 1979^[8]
• Henry Helstoski, former Representative and independent candidate for this district in 1978^[8]
• Burt Ross, former mayor of Fort Lee^[8][9]

Declined

• Bob Torricelli, former aide to governor Brendan Byrne and advisor to the Jimmy Carter 1980 presidential campaign

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gabriel M. Ambrosio	16,804	41.41%
	Democratic	Burt Ross	14,417	35.53%
	Democratic	Henry Helstoski	9,359	23.06%
Total votes			40,580	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Gabriel M. Ambrosio, Lyndhurst attorney (Democratic)
• Edward G. Davis (Citizens)
• Harold Hollenbeck, incumbent Representative from East Rutherford since 1977 (Republican)
• Henry Koch (Libertarian)
• Herbert Shaw (Politicians Are Crooks)

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Harold C. Hollenbeck (inc.)	116,128	59.10%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	Gabriel M. Ambrosio	75,321	38.33%
	Libertarian	Henry Koch	2,290	1.17%
	Independent	Herbert H. Shaw	1,588	0.81%
	Citizens	Edward G. Davis	1,177	0.60%
Total votes			196,504	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 10

See also: New Jersey's 10th congressional district

1980 New Jersey's 10th congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee Peter W. Rodino Everett Jennings Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 76,154 11,778 Percentage 85.3% 13.2%

U.S. Representative before election Peter W. Rodino Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Peter W. Rodino Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Peter W. Rodino won. The district included parts of Essex and Hudson counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Russell Fox, reverend of Mount Olive Baptist Church^[8]
• Golden E. Johnson, former Newark Municipal Court judge^[8]
• Donald M. Payne, former Essex County Freeholder^[8]
• Peter W. Rodino, incumbent Representative since 1949

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Peter W. Rodino (incumbent)	26,943	62.17%
	Democratic	Donald M. Payne	9,825	22.67%
	Democratic	Golden E. Johnson	5,316	12.27%
	Democratic	Russell Fox	1,251	2.89%
Total votes			43,335	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Everett J. Jennings

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Everett J. Jennings	2,174	100.00%
Total votes			2,174	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Christine Hildebrand (Socialist Workers)
• Everett J. Jennings (Republican)
• Christine Keno (Human Rights Ratification)
• Ronald Penque (Libertarian)
• Peter W. Rodino, incumbent Representative since 1949 (Democratic)
• Frankie Lee Scott (Youth Against Draft)

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Peter W. Rodino (inc.)	76,154	85.33%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	Everett J. Jennings	11,778	13.20%
	Independent	Christine Keno	542	0.61%
	Independent	Frankie Lee Scott	281	0.31%
	Libertarian	Ronald Penque	271	0.30%
	Socialist Workers	Christine Hildebrand	219	0.25%
Total votes			89,245	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 11

See also: New Jersey's 11th congressional district

1980 New Jersey's 11th congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee Joseph Minish Robert Davis Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 106,155 57,772 Percentage 63.0% 34.3%

U.S. Representative before election Joseph Minish Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Joseph Minish Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Joseph Minish won. This district consisted of parts of Bergen, Essex, Passaic, and Union counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Joseph Minish, incumbent Representative from West Orange since 1963

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph Minish (incumbent)	28,491	100.00%
Total votes			28,491	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Robert A. Davis

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert A. Davis	12,298	100.00%
Total votes			12,298	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Jon Britton (Socialist Workers)
• Robert A. Davis (Republican)
• Joseph Minish, incumbent Representative from West Orange since 1963 (Democratic)
• Richard S. Roth (Libertarian)
• Robert G. Trugman (The Independent Alternative)

Resultsd

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Joseph Minish (incumbent)	106,155	62.99%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	Robert A. Davis	57,772	34.28%
	Socialist Workers	Jon Britton	1,650	0.98%
	Independent	Robert G. Trugman	1,630	0.97%
	Libertarian	Richard S. Roth	1,317	0.78%
Total votes			168,524	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 12

See also: New Jersey's 12th congressional district

1980 New Jersey's 12th congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee Matt Rinaldo Rose Monyek Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 134,973 36,577 Percentage 77.1% 20.9%

U.S. Representative before election Matt Rinaldo Republican Elected U.S. Representative Matt Rinaldo Republican

Incumbent Matt Rinaldo won. This district included parts of Union County.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Matt Rinaldo (incumbent)	17,431	100.00%
Total votes			17,431	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Charles A. Leary
• Rose Zeidwerg Monyek

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Rose Zeidwerg Monyek	9,085	52.80%
	Democratic	Charles A. Leary	8,120	47.20%
Total votes			17,205	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• David-Leif Jensen (Independent for Congress)
• Rose Zeidwerg Monyek (Democratic)
• Matt Rinaldo, incumbent Representative from Union since 1973 (Republican)
• William Vandersteel (Libertarian)

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Matt Rinaldo (incumbent)	134,973	77.12%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	Rose Zeidwerg Monyek	36,577	20.90%
	Independent	David-Leif Jensen	2,358	1.35%
	Libertarian	William Vandersteel	1,118	0.64%
Total votes			175,026	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 13

See also: New Jersey's 13th congressional district

1980 New Jersey's 13th congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee Jim Courter Dave Stickle Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 152,862 56,251 Percentage 71.6% 26.4%

U.S. Representative before election Jim Courter Republican Elected U.S. Representative Jim Courter Republican

Incumbent Representative Jim Courter won the election.

This sprawling district included Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren counties and parts of Mercer and Morris counties.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Courter, incumbent Representative from Hackettstown since 1979

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Courter (incumbent)	25,779	100.00%
Total votes			25,779	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Edward J. Baker
• Carl A. Mottey
• Ray Rollinson
• Roger A. Singerling
• Dave Stickle

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Dave Stickle	8,064	40.03%
	Democratic	Edward J. Baker	4,678	23.22%
	Democratic	Carl A. Mottey	3,972	19.72%
	Democratic	Ray Rollinson	2,272	11.28%
	Democratic	Roger A. Singerling	1,160	5.76%
Total votes			20,146	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Jim Courter, incumbent Representative from Hackettstown since 1979 (Republican)
• John S. Schafer (Libertarian)
• Dave Stickle (Democratic)

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Courter (incumbent)	152,862	71.64%	{{{change}}}
	Democratic	Dave Stickle	56,251	26.36%
	Libertarian	John S. Schafer	4,260	2.00%
Total votes			213,373	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 14

See also: New Jersey's 14th congressional district

1980 New Jersey's 14th congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee Frank Guarini Dennis Teti Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 86,921 45,606 Percentage 64.2% 33.7%

U.S. Representative before election Frank J. Guarini Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Frank J. Guarini Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Frank J. Guarini won. This district included parts of Hudson County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank J. Guarini (incumbent)	40,825	100.00%
Total votes			40,825	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Dennis Teti

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Dennis Teti	3,371	100.00%
Total votes			3,371	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Kenneth Famularo (Action Talks)
• Frank J. Guarini, incumbent Representative since 1979 (Democratic)
• Jonathan Steele (LIbertarian)
• Dennis Teti (Republican)

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Frank J. Guarini (incumbent)	86,921	64.18%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	Dennis Teti	45,606	33.67%
	Libertarian	Jonathan Steele	1,765	1.30%
	Independent	Kenneth Famularo	1,138	0.84%
Total votes			135,430	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

District 15

See also: New Jersey's 6th congressional district

1980 New Jersey's 15th congressional district election

← 1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04) 1982 →

Nominee Bernard J. Dwyer William O'Sullivan Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 92,457 75,812 Percentage 53.4% 43.8%

U.S. Representative before election Edward J. Patten Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Bernard J. Dwyer Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Edward Patten did not run for re-election to a tenth term in office. Bernard J. Dwyer won the open seat. This district included parts of Middlesex and Union counties.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bernard J. Dwyer, state senator and former mayor of Edison
• Richard Pucci, Perth Amboy business director^[8]
• David C. Schwartz, assemblyman from Highland Park and former Rutgers University professor
• Doris Sios, Felician College administrator^[8]
• George A. Spadoro, Edison attorney and candidate for this distrct in 1978^[8]

Declined

• Edward J. Patten, incumbent Representative since 1963

Results

1980 Democratic primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bernard J. Dwyer	16,328	32.03%
	Democratic	David C. Schwartz	12,800	25.11%
	Democratic	George A. Spadoro	12,329	24.18%
	Democratic	Richard Pucci	7,720	15.14%
	Democratic	Doris Sipos	1,806	3.54%
Total votes			50,983	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• William J. O'Sullivan Jr., Middlesex County Republican Party treasurer^[8]
• Charles W. Wiley, freelance journalist and nominee for this district in 1978^[8]

Results

1980 Republican primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William J. O'Sullivan Jr.	4,538	54.19%
	Republican	Charles W. Wiley	3,836	45.81%
Total votes			8,374	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Bernard J. Dwyer, state senator and former mayor of Edison (Democratic)
• Charles M. Hart (Libertarian)
• Ira W. Mintz (People's Independent Coalition)
• William J. O'Sullivan Jr. (Republican)

Results

1980 U.S. House election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Bernard J. Dwyer	92,457	53.42%	{{{change}}}
	Republican	William J. O'Sullivan Jr.	75,812	43.80%
	Independent	Ira W. Mintz	2,937	1.70%
	Libertarian	Charles M. Hart	1,865	1.08%
Total votes			173,071	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing	{{{swing}}}

References

1. Henshaw, Edmund L. (April 15, 1981). "STATISTICS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 4, 1980" (PDF). Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. p. 39. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
2. "Members of the House of Representatives" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
3. "Members of the House of Representatives" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
4. Wildstein, David (October 31, 2019). "Bill Hughes, former New Jersey congressman who fought to protect coastline, dies at 87". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
5. NJJN, Special to. "Shabbat candles reignited former priest's lost faith". njjewishnews.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
6. Early on, Smith was dismissed as a fluke, New York Observer (December 23, 2019).
7. Wildstein, David (May 18, 2024). "The time a House incumbent offered to spend no more than the challenger". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
8. "Lively Races Mark Approach of Primaries in Jersey; Effect of Shifts Feared Helstoski Seeks Return (Published 1980)". May 31, 1980. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
9. "'Too big for its bridges'". The Jewish Standard. January 24, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2025.