From Ballotpedia New Jersey held a special election for the U.S. Senate in 2013. The general election was held on October 16, 2013, which followed a primary election on August 13, 2013.[1]
The special election was held to fill the vacancy left by the death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D) on June 3, 2013.[2] His seat was filled with a temporary replacement appointed by Governor Chris Christie until the special election elects a permanent successor.[3]
Christie announced at a press conference on June 4, 2013, that he had opted against appointing a successor to Lautenberg to serve until the 2014 election, and instead announced the special election.[4] Christie also said he would appoint an interim Senator to serve between June and November. On June 6, 2013, Christie announced New Jersey Attorney General Jeff Chiesa would serve as the interim Senator.[5][4][6]
New Jersey has a mixed primary system -- registered Democrats and Republicans can only vote in their own party's primary, but previously unaffiliated voters may declare a party at the polls. Independent voters may also vote in either party's primary. The registration deadline for voting in the primary was July 23, 2013, 21 days before the primary.[7]
Turnout in the primary election was low, with about 9% of the state's registered voters actually casting a ballot.[8] Only the 2006 U.S. Senate primary had lower turnout, with approximately 8%.[8] Low-turnout was predicted, with around 1.2 million voters — less than half the New Jersey electorate in 2012, expected to vote in the primary elections.[9]
Democrats were heavily favored to retain the seat as New Jersey had not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate in 40 years.[10]
| Candidate Filing Deadline | Primary Election | General Election |
|---|---|---|
| |
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| U.S. Senate, New Jersey Special General Election, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | 54.9% | 740,742 | ||
| Republican | Steve Lonegan | 44% | 593,684 | |
| Independent | Edward C. Stackhouse | 0.4% | 5,138 | |
| Independent | Robert DePasquale | 0.2% | 3,137 | |
| Independent | Stuart Meissner | 0.2% | 2,051 | |
| Independent | Pablo Olivera | 0.1% | 1,530 | |
| Independent | Antonio N. Sabas | 0.1% | 1,336 | |
| Independent | Eugene LaVergne | 0.1% | 1,041 | |
| Total Votes | 1,348,659 | |||
| Source: Official results via New Jersey Division of Elections[25] | ||||
| U.S. Senate, New Jersey Special Democratic Primary, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|
|
59.2% | 216,936 | ||
| Frank Pallone | 19.8% | 72,584 | ||
| Rush Holt | 16.8% | 61,463 | ||
| Sheila Oliver | 4.3% | 15,656 | ||
| Total Votes | 366,639 | |||
| Source: Official Election Results from New Jersey Division of Elections[26] | ||||
| U.S. Senate, New Jersey Special Republican Primary, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|
|
80.1% | 103,280 | ||
| Alieta Eck | 19.9% | 25,669 | ||
| Total Votes | 128,949 | |||
| Source: Official Election Results from New Jersey Division of Elections[27] | ||||
Christie's decision to call a special election was challenged in the state's Supreme Court.[28] Opponents argued the law required the special election to be held the same time as Christie's gubernatorial election three weeks later, rather than October 16, 2013.[29] Challengers argued that voters could be disenfranchised as a result of the election date.[29]
The state Superior Court ruled against the plaintiffs and said that Gov. Chris Christie acted properly when he decided to hold a special election on October 16.[30] The court cited NJSA 19:27-6, which provided that if a vacancy occurs in the U.S. Senate the election shall take place at the general election next succeeding unless the vacancy occurs within 70 days next preceding the primary election prior to the general election.[30]
"Without question, the Governor was authorized to call a special election in this circumstance, where the vacancy occurred one day prior to the primary," the court's decision said.[30] The court held that there was no evidence a separate election would generate voter confusion.[29] Opponents attempted to seek an appeal of the decision,[29] but on June 20, 2013 the state Supreme Court denied a request to hear the appeal.[31]
When asked whether he planned to endorse Steve Lonegan (R) in the Senate race, Gov. Christie responded by saying, “I’ve got my own campaign to run, first off. And so to the extent that I can be helpful to the Republican nominee, whoever that turns out to be, I’m sure that I’ll find some time to be helpful, but I have my own campaign to run at the same time and so my focus will be on my campaign.”[32]
Gov. Chris Christie announced in July 2013 that counties will be reimbursed for the additional costs of holding two special elections to fill a Senate seat in New Jersey in 2013.[33][34]
The Office of Legislative Services estimated the cost for renting polling places, transporting voting machines, printing and mailing ballots and hiring additional staff to be close to $24 million.[35] At a news conference, Christie said he was still not sure the actual costs to each county.[35]
“As soon as they send in their bills, we'll audit them, look at their books to make sure no one is trying to play games with us and get something for nothing,” Christie said.[35]
The Division of Elections expected to reimburse counties before December 31, 2013.[35]
| Special election general election match-up | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Cory Booker | Steve Lonegan | Undecided | Margin of Error | Sample Size | ||||||||||||||
| Conservative Intel October 13-14, 2013 | 52% | 41% | 5% | +/-3.5 | 778 | ||||||||||||||
| Quinnipiac University October 10-14, 2013 | 53% | 41% | 6% | +/-2.4 | 1,696 | ||||||||||||||
| Rutgers-Eagleton October 7-13, 2013 | 58% | 36% | 3% | +/-4.3 | 513 | ||||||||||||||
| Monmouth University October 10-12, 2013 | 52% | 42% | 6% | +/-2.6 | 1,393 | ||||||||||||||
| Rasmussen Reports October 7, 2013 | 53% | 41% | 5% | +/-3 | 1,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Stockton Polling Institute October 3-8, 2013 | 50% | 39% | 11% | +/-3.6 | 729 | ||||||||||||||
| Quinnipiac University October 5-7, 2013 | 53% | 41% | 6% | +/-3.3 | 899 | ||||||||||||||
| Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind September 30-October 5, 2013 | 45% | 29% | 26% | +/-3.7 | 702 | ||||||||||||||
| Monmouth University September 26-29, 2013 | 53% | 40% | 7% | +/-4.1 | 571 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org | |||||||||||||||||||
| Special election general election match-up | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Cory Booker | Steve Lonegan | Undecided | Margin of Error | Sample Size | ||||||||||||||
| Quinnipiac University September 19-22, 2013 | 53% | 41% | 6% | +/-3.2 | 948 | ||||||||||||||
| Richard Stockton College September 15-21, 2013 | 58% | 32% | 8% | +/-3.4 | 812 | ||||||||||||||
| Rutgers-Eagleton September 3-9, 2013 | 64% | 29% | 7% | +/-3.4 | 433 | ||||||||||||||
| Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind August 21-27, 2013 | 50% | 22% | 27% | +/-3.7 | 700 | ||||||||||||||
| Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press August 15-18, 2013 | 54% | 38% | 8% | +/-3.7 | 696 | ||||||||||||||
| Quinnipiac University August 1-5, 2013 | 54% | 29% | 17% | +/-2.2 | 2,042 | ||||||||||||||
| Quinnipiac University July 2-7, 2013 | 53% | 30% | 13% | +/-3 | 1,068 | ||||||||||||||
| Rasmussen Reports June 12-13, 2013 | 50% | 33% | 17% | +/-3 | 1,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Monmouth University June 10-11, 2013 | 53% | 37% | 10% | +/-3.9 | 636 | ||||||||||||||
| Quinnipiac University June 7-9, 2013 | 54% | 27% | 19% | +/-3.4 | 858 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org | |||||||||||||||||||
| Special election Democratic primary candidates | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Cory Booker | Rush Holt | Frank Pallone | Sheila Oliver | Undecided | Margin of Error | Sample Size | ||||||||||||
| Quinnipiac University August 1-5, 2013 | 54% | 15% | 17% | 5% | 9% | +/-2.2 | 2,042 | ||||||||||||
| Monmouth University July 11-14, 2013 | 49% | 8% | 12% | 3% | 28% | +/-4.9 | 403 | ||||||||||||
| Quinnipiac University July 2-7, 2013 | 52% | 8% | 10% | 3% | 26% | +/-3 | 1,068 | ||||||||||||
| Kean University June 18, 2013 | 49% | 9% | 6% | 9% | 22% | +/-3 | 1,000 | ||||||||||||
| Rasmussen Reports June 12-13, 2013 | 54% | 11% | 8% | 5% | 18% | +/-3 | 1,000 | ||||||||||||
| Monmouth University June 10-11, 2013 | 63% | 10% | 8% | 6% | 13% | +/-3.9 | 636 | ||||||||||||
| Rutgers-Eagleton June 3-9, 2013 | 55% | 9% | 8% | 0% | 28% | +/-3.3 | 888 | ||||||||||||
| Quinnipiac University June 7-9, 2013 | 53% | 10% | 9% | 0% | 23% | +/-3.4 | 858 | ||||||||||||
| Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org | |||||||||||||||||||
Note: The Quinnipiac University poll from June 7-9 and Rutgers-Eagleton poll from June 3-9 were concluded prior to the filing deadline for candidates.
| Special election Republican primary candidates | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Steve Lonegan | Alieta Eck | Undecided | Margin of Error | Sample Size | ||||||||||||||
| Quinnipiac University August 1-5, 2013 | 74% | 10% | 13% | +/-2.2 | 2,042 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org | |||||||||||||||||||
| "A Senator to Get Things Done." |
| American Commitment Action Fund's October 2013 ad, "#BookerFAIL: A Record of Failure." |
American Commitment Action Fund released a $130,000 buy ad on October 9, 2013, that responded to Bloomberg’s ad. The ad said money Booker secured from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg did not go to Newark school classrooms and the schools were still failing.[36]
New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg's super PAC, Independence USA, announced on October 6, 2013, that it spent $1 million to air an ad in support of Booker.[37]
Rep. Rush Holt released his first video of the campaign on June 19, 2013, in which he started the video by admitting that he is no Cory Booker.[38] “I’ll be the first to admit, I’m no Cory Booker. I don’t have a million Twitter followers, I’ve never run into a burning building, and I’m not friends with Mark Zuckerberg, though I did like him on Facebook.”[39][38] Many believed that the video was a smart move for Holt, who many believed had no chance of competing with Booker’s massive online following, the millions of dollars he raised and the celebrity status he attained.[38] As the video made clear, Holt was not going to try. Instead, he embraced the role of quirky underdog in his primary bid for Senate seat.[38]
| Holt released an introductory campaign video on June 19, 2013, in which he made clear that he is not Cory Booker, the Democratic frontrunner in the special election. |
| Cory Booker released his first ad of his Senate campaign on June 26, 2013, "Run" |
Democratic frontrunner Cory Booker launched his first TV ad as a Senate candidate, which played up his accomplishments as mayor of Newark.[13] The ad, "Run," began on June 26, 2013, and featured the mayor speaking directly to camera, where he argued that he made progress on issues like guns, education and business. “I’ve proven that by bringing people together even with big problems, we can make big progress and improve people’s lives,” Booker said in the ad.[13] The ad was part of a reported $400,000-plus ad buy.[13]
Booker's second ad, released July 9, 2013, repeated much of his first ad, and highlighted his record as mayor of Newark.[40]
In his third television ad, Booker focused on Social Security, and the ad featured him addressing a series of issues including equal pay, a higher minimum wage and ending child poverty to promote equality.[41]
“No matter what your background, race, culture, gay or straight, North Jersey or South Jersey, rich or poor, are lives are interconnected. We cannot have politics that divide instead of bringing us together,” Booker said[41]
Booker's insistence that he would stand up for Social Security followed Oliver's accusations that he was not answering her questions on the issue. Oliver, who lagged in the polls, attacked Booker for taking to Twitter to answer questions about the movie "Snarknado," yet failing to respond to her.[41]
| Frank Pallone released his first ad of his Senate campaign on July 21, 2013, "You can Count on Frank" |
| Cory Booker released his third ad of his Senate campaign on July 21, 2013, "People" |
On July 21, 2013, Frank Pallone, who unveiled a series of online videos, stuck with his theme of being an average New Jersey resident in his first ad of the campaign.[41] It featured shots of Pallone campaigning in New Jersey, interspersed with clips of supporters that touted Pallone's work.[42]
"The son of a cop, Frank Pallone knows working New Jersey," a narrator says, adding that the "middle-class father of three…gets things done."[42] The ad credited Pallone with steering the health care overhaul through Congress and preventing the Tea Party from dismantling Social Security.[42]
In the final week leading up to the Democratic primary, Rush Holt launched a $350,000 ad buy.[43] The buy started on August 6 in the New York City media market, one of the two major ones that stretch into New Jersey, and the Philadelphia cable market. It ran until the day of the primary, August 13.[43]
As part of the ad buy, Holt launched an ad blasting Newark Mayor Cory Booker as “no progressive.”.[44] The ad listed Holt's experience as a scientist and teacher and featured him in a chemistry classroom, talking about policy proposals he said Booker opposed, including a carbon tax, breaking up big banks and banning government surveillance programs.[45]
| Rush Holt's August 12, 2013, appearance on The Colbert Report's, "Know a District" segment. |
| Rush Holt's ad released in the final week prior to the Democratic primary, "Rush Holt for Senate" |
"I approved this message because Cory Booker may be the frontrunner in this race, but he's no progressive," he said at the end.[45]
Hoping to benefit from the "Colbert bump," Rep. Rush Holt appeared on Comedy Central's, "The Colbert Report" the day before the U.S. Senate primary, as part of the show's 435-part series "Better Know a District."[46][47]
"Why do you want to be a Senator, though?" Colbert asked. "After years of being in a do-nothing Congress, do you want to join a do-nothing Senate?"[48] Holt replied, "I want to make it a do-something Senate."[48]
Colbert jokingly chided Holt over his opponent, Cory Booker, who, if elected, would become the first African-American U.S. Senator from New Jersey.[48] "Tell the people of New Jersey right now why you think that's a bad idea to elect the first black Senator from New Jersey," Colbert asked.[48]
Holt downplayed the historical significance of a Booker victory. “You know, race is something that is losing its meaning, when you realize that most people in America are of mixed heritage,” Holt said.[48]
As of October 4, 2013, Booker outraised Lonegan 8-to-1, collecting $11.2 million to Lonegan’s $1.35 million.[49]
Cory Booker (D) announced on July 11, 2013, that he raised $4.6 million in the prior three months for his U.S. Senate campaign, a major showing of financial strength.[50] Booker’s fundraising total for 2013, as of July 11, was $6.5 million. He ended the quarter with $4.5 million in cash on hand. In July 2013 Booker started airing cable ads in the New York and Philadelphia markets, both of which were among the most expensive in the country.[50]
Booker announced on July 16, 2013 that he would be making a campaign fundraising stop in Washington D.C. on July 18, 2013 with five events in one day.[51] The effort is expected to be his only trip to Washington, D.C., before the August 13th primary.[51]
Four of the fundraisers are being hosted by Democratic K Streeters and supporters are asked to contribute between $1,000 per person to more than $10,000 to co-host an evening reception.[51] The fundraising event is a major contrast to the D.C. Society of Young Professionals fundraiser in April 2013 for Booker before he announced his Senate bid. That event was at hipster bar Jack Rose Dining Saloon and asked for just $40 for those under 35 and $100 for general admission.[51]
| Steve Lonegan's (R) appearance on "The John Gamble Show" on August 14, 2013. |
Just weeks before leaving office as the interim Senator in Massachusetts, Mo Cowan endorsed Cory Booker on June 4, 2013.[67] Cowan noted that he was just the eighth black American to serve in the Senate, and continued by saying “As I vacate the hallowed halls of Congress, perhaps he’ll come in not too late after me and continue I hope is a very popular trend in the Congress, particular in the Senate, which is to continue to show representation of all people."[67] On June 9, 2013 Booker received the backing of George E. Norcross III, an insurance executive and hospital chairman who is seen as "the most powerful figure in New Jersey Democratic politics" according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.[68]
Two of the most powerful unions in the state, The New Jersey Education Association and the state branch of the Communication Workers Association of America, announced on June 12, 2013, that they planned to withhold endorsements in the August 13th primary election.[69] “We’re unlikely to endorse in the primary. This is a really politically complicated situation for organizations like ours because we have good friends running against each other, so there’s no advantage for us to get involved in this primary,” said NJEA government relations director Ginger Gold.[69]
New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg announced on July 8, 2013, that he planned to host a fundraiser for Cory Booker.[70] The event was held at Bloomberg’s townhouse on July 15, 2013.[70]
The day before the Democratic primary, Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria lent support for Booker.[71] She joined Booker at campaign rallies in Plainfield and Newark and introduced Booker at the events.[71] Longoria previously was a national co-chair for President Obama's re-election campaign and spoke at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[71]
Oprah Winfrey also spoke at a fundraiser for Booker in early August 2013.[71]
Other endorsements included:
Endorsements included:[82]
On August 1, 2013, it was announced that Lonegan met with the Club for Growth and was scheduled to meet with the National Republican Senatorial Committee.[83]
Lonegan said in interviews that he also planned to meet with Rand Paul in an effort to secure an endorsement.[83] He was endorsed by five of the state’s six Republican members of Congress and hoped to secure the backing of remaining Rep. Christopher Smith.[83]
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Bob Menendez won re-election in 2012.[86] He was unopposed in the June 5 Democratic primary and defeated Joe Kyrillos (R) and Jeff Boss (I) in the November general election.
| U.S. Senate, New Jersey, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | 58.9% | 1,987,680 | ||
| Republican | Joe Kyrillos | 39.4% | 1,329,534 | |
| Libertarian | Kenneth R. Kaplan | 0.5% | 16,803 | |
| Green | Ken Wolski | 0.5% | 15,801 | |
| Jersey Strong Independents | Gwen Diakos | 0.3% | 9,359 | |
| Totally Independent Candidate | J. David Dranikoff | 0.1% | 3,834 | |
| America First | Inder "Andy" Soni | 0.1% | 3,593 | |
| Responsibility Fairness Integrity | Robert "Turk" Turkavage | 0.1% | 3,532 | |
| Socialist Party USA | Gregory Pason | 0.1% | 2,249 | |
| No Slogan | Eugene Martin Lavergne | 0.1% | 2,198 | |
| Reform Nation | Daryl Mikell Brooks | 0.1% | 2,066 | |
| Total Votes | 3,376,649 | |||
| Source: New Jersey Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
On November 4, 2008, Lautenberg was re-elected to the United States Senate for a fourth non-consecutive term. He defeated Dick Zimmer (R), Jason Scheurer (Libertarian), J.M. Carter (God We Trust), Daryl Mikell Brooks (Poor People’s Campaign), Sara Lobman (Socialist Workers) and Jeffrey Boss (Boss for Senate).[87]
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Categories: [U.S. House special elections, 2013] [New Jersey elections, 2013]
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