The 2018 United States Senate election in New Jersey took place on November 6, 2018, in order to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of New Jersey . Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Menendez won reelection to a third term over Republican businessman Bob Hugin , after the former's criminal trial ended in a mistrial.
The candidate filing deadline for Democratic and Republican candidates was April 2, 2018, and the primary election was held on June 5, 2018.[ 1] The deadline for independent candidates was June 5, 2018.[ 2] Despite the race being rated as a tossup by some political pundits, including The Cook Political Report ,[ 3] Menendez was reelected by an 11.2% margin. However, Hugin was the first Republican Senate candidate to carry Atlantic and Gloucester counties since 1972 , and the first Republican to do so in this seat since 1970.
Menendez would later be convicted of separate federal corruption charges in 2024, and he then resigned from the Senate.[ 4] [ 5] [ 6]
While he never lost support from any major New Jersey officials, after a mistrial was declared in Senator Menendez's corruption trial, party figures across New Jersey lined up with public endorsements of his reelection bid, including the "full support" of Governor Phil Murphy .[ 7] He formally declared his intention to run for reelection on March 28, 2018, alongside Governor Murphy and Senator Cory Booker .[ 8]
Eliminated in Primary [ edit ]
Lisa McCormick, activist and candidate for Union County Clerk in 2010[ 10] [ 11]
Results by county Menendez—70–80%
Menendez—60–70%
Menendez—50–60%
McCormick—50–60%
McCormick—60–70%
Bob Hugin launched his primary campaign on February 13 in Springfield.[ 17] He began advertising on television two weeks later, attacking Menendez on the airwaves,[ 18] and was soon considered the presumptive nominee.[ 19] His opponent, Brian Goldberg, attempted to connect himself to President Donald Trump and his supporters by inserting the President's abbreviated slogan, "MAGA", into his ballot slogans and aligning himself with other pro-Trump, anti-establishment candidates.[ 20] Goldberg also attacked Hugin's running mates, urging Republicans to write in the deceased Charlton Heston in primary races where a Republican congressional candidate was running unopposed.[ 21] Ultimately, Hugin won overwhelmingly with a majority of votes in each of the state's 21 counties.[ 22]
Eliminated in Primary [ edit ]
Brian D. Goldberg, businessman and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014 [ 24] [ 25]
Bob Hugin
U.S. Executive Branch officials
Governors
Lieutenant Governors
U.S. Representatives
NJ State Legislators
Jose Arango, former state assemblyman, chairman of the Hudson County Republican Party[ 46]
Jon Bramnick , state assemblyman and assembly minority leader[ 47]
Anthony Bucco , state senator[ 48]
Tony Bucco , state assemblyman[ 48]
Michael Patrick Carroll , state assemblyman[ 49]
Kristin Corrado , state senator[ 50]
BettyLou DeCroce , state assemblywoman
Tom Kean Jr. , state senator and senate Minority Leader[ 36]
Nancy Munoz , state assemblywoman[ 48]
Steve Oroho , state senator
Holly Schepisi , state assemblywoman
Parker Space , state assemblyman
Harold J. Wirths , state assemblyman
Sheriffs
Mayors
Others
Rolando Bobadilla, former Essex County Democratic freeholder[ 54]
Mark Dunec, 2014 Democratic nominee for New Jersey's 11th congressional district [ 55]
Jim Fozman, Brick councilman (Democrat)[ 56]
Tony Frato, Branchville Mayor (Democrat)[ 57]
Bob Frazier, former Linden city councilman[ 58]
Richard Gerbounka, former Linden Mayor[ 58]
Joe Harvanik, former Linden city councilman[ 58]
Richard Pezzullo, businessman and former candidate for U.S. Senate[ 48]
Teddy Price, candidate for Ocean County freeholder (Democrat)[ 59]
Richard Rutkowski, former Bayonne Mayor (Democrat)[ 60]
Demetrius Terry, former Executive Vice President of the College Democrats of New Jersey[ 61]
Donald Trump Jr. , businessman and son of U.S. President Donald Trump [ 62]
Lydia Valencia, president of the Puerto Rican Congress of New Jersey[ 44]
Mike Voll, former Middle Township Mayor (Democrat)[ 63]
Jennifer Williams, first openly transgender delegate at the Republican National Convention [ 64]
Organizations
Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey[ 65]
Newspapers
Results by county Hugin—80–90%
Hugin—70–80%
Hugin—60–70%
Hugin—50–60%
Tricia Flanagan (New Day NJ), consultant[ 71]
Kevin Kimple (Make it Simple), small business owner[ 71]
Natalie Rivera (For the People), social services coordinator[ 71]
Hank Schroeder (Economic Growth), perennial candidate[ 71]
Campaign finance reports as of October 17, 2018
Candidate (party)
Total receipts
Total disbursements
Cash on hand
Bob Hugin (R)
$30,289,561
$27,714,323
$2,575,238
Bob Menendez (D)
$11,631,183
$11,225,693
$1,832,385
Source: Federal Election Commission[ 73]
^Highest rating given
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Bob Menendez (D)
Bob Hugin (R)
Murray Sabrin (L)
Other
Undecided
Change Research [ 80]
November 2–4, 2018
1,006
–
51%
41%
–
–
–
Quinnipiac University [ 81]
October 29 – November 4, 2018
1,115
± 4.0%
55%
40%
–
1%
4%
Stockton University [ 82]
October 25–31, 2018
598
± 4.0%
51%
39%
3%
4%
1%
Vox Populi Polling [ 83]
October 27–29, 2018
814
± 3.4%
54%
46%
–
–
–
Emerson College [ 84]
October 24–26, 2018
659
± 4.0%
47%
42%
–
4%
7%
Rutgers-Eagleton [ 85]
October 12–19, 2018
496 LV
± 5.1%
51%
46%
–
1%
2%
896 RV
± 3.8%
48%
45%
–
1%
5%
Quinnipiac University [ 86]
October 10–16, 2018
873
± 4.3%
51%
44%
–
0%
5%
Monmouth University [ 87]
October 11–15, 2018
527
± 4.3%
49%
40%
1%
2%[ 88]
8%
National Research Inc. (R-Hugin) [ 89]
October 6–9, 2018
600
± 4.0%
42%
40%
–
–
–
YouGov [ 90]
October 2–5, 2018
845
–
49%
39%
–
4%
8%
Quinnipiac University [ 91]
September 25 – October 2, 2018
1,058
± 4.1%
53%
42%
–
0%
5%
Vox Populi Polling [ 92]
September 29 – October 1, 2018
794
± 3.5%
52%
48%
–
–
–
Fairleigh Dickinson University [ 93]
September 26–30, 2018
508 LV
± 4.3%
43%
37%
–
1%
19%
746 RV
± 3.9%
37%
32%
–
1%
29%
Stockton University [ 94]
September 19–27, 2018
531
± 4.3%
45%
43%
3%
5%
2%
Quinnipiac University [ 95]
August 15–20, 2018
908
± 4.6%
43%
37%
–
2%
16%
Gravis Marketing (L-Sabrin)[ 96]
August 14–15, 2018
753
± 3.6%
40%
30%
7%
–
22%
Gravis Marketing [ 97]
July 6–10, 2018
563
± 4.1%
43%
41%
–
–
16%
Fairleigh Dickinson University [ 98]
May 16–21, 2018
856
± 3.5%
28%
24%
–
1%
46%
Monmouth University [ 99]
April 6–10, 2018
632
± 3.9%
53%
32%
–
7%
7%
Quinnipiac University [ 100]
March 8–12, 2018
1,052
± 4.2%
49%
32%
–
1%
15%
Hypothetical polling
Kean vs. Andrews
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Rob Andrews (D)
Thomas Kean (R)
Undecided
Harper Polling [ 101]
March 24–25, 2013
760
± 3.6%
17%
33%
50%
Codey vs. Kyrillos
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Richard Codey (D)
Joe Kyrillos (R)
Undecided
Harper Polling [ 101]
March 24–25, 2013
760
± 3.6%
34%
25%
41%
County
Menendez %
Menendez votes
Hugin %
Hugin votes
Other %
Other votes
Atlantic
47.43%
44,617
48.85%
45,954
3.72%
3,502
Bergen
54.69%
188,235
42.54%
146,406
2.77%
9,542
Burlington
52.78%
98,749
43.96%
82,240
3.26%
6,111
Camden
61.82%
113,137
34.58%
63,279
3.60%
6,600
Cape May
35.78%
14,555
61.02%
24,823
3.20%
1,299
Cumberland
48.29%
19,386
47.93%
19,244
3.78%
1,517
Essex
76.52%
194,068
21.12%
53,537
2.36%
6,028
Gloucester
46.41%
52,303
49.77%
56,090
3.82%
4,309
Hudson
76.35%
132,180
20.84%
36,087
2.81%
4,863
Hunterdon
39.29%
24,823
57.17%
36,116
3.54%
2,195
Mercer
63.67%
80,773
32.50%
41,225
3.83%
4,785
Middlesex
58.21%
148,806
38.64%
98,764
3.15%
8,051
Monmouth
42.99%
112,383
53.79%
140,628
3.22%
8,408
Morris
43.60%
93,763
53.38%
114,783
3.02%
6,492
Ocean
33.72%
75,597
63.29%
141,902
2.99%
6,723
Passaic
57.75%
86,242
39.10%
58,382
3.15%
4,700
Salem
38.04%
9,060
57.47%
13,687
4.49%
1,068
Somerset
51.67%
70,359
45.07%
61,373
3.26%
4,450
Sussex
33.23%
20,229
61.96%
37,720
4.81%
2,926
Union
64.22%
117,937
33.09%
60,758
2.69%
4,938
Warren
35.59%
14,452
60.00%
24,357
4.41%
1,794
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
By congressional district [ edit ]
Menendez won 6 of 12 congressional districts. Hugin, however, won the remaining 6, including five won by Democrats.
^ "United States Senate election in New Jersey, 2018 - Ballotpedia" . Archived from the original on April 21, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017 .
^ "2018 General Election Timeline" (PDF) . Secretary of State of New Jersey . October 31, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2018 .
^ "2018 Senate Race ratings | the Cook Political Report" . www.cookpolitical.com . Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2022 .
^ Cohen, Luc (July 16, 2024). "US Senator Menendez convicted at corruption trial, cementing political downfall" . Reuters . Retrieved July 16, 2024 .
^ "Sen. Bob Menendez ends independent run days before he's set to resign - POLITICO" . Politico . Retrieved August 18, 2024 .
^ Han, Daniel; Rivard, Ry (July 23, 2024). "Sen. Bob Menendez to resign next month following corruption conviction" . Politico .
^ "Gov-Elect Murphy breaks silence on Menendez" . nj.com . November 17, 2017. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2018 .
^ "After a Year of Turmoil, Menendez Announces He Is Seeking Re-Election" . The New York Times . March 28, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018 .
^ a b c d e Alfaro, Alyana (November 16, 2017). "Torricelli Will Not Primary Menendez in 2018" . Observer.com . Archived from the original on November 17, 2017.
^ "Lisa McCormick – Fighting back to protect democracy" . lisamccormick.org . Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018 .
^ "DDHQ 2018 Senate Races Ratings – Democratic Seats (Part I)" . Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2018 .
^ "Former Obama, Clinton campaign official to face Sen. Bob Menendez in primary" . Archived from the original on December 9, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2018 .
^ Guild, Blair (December 4, 2017). "Former Clinton campaign staffer explores primary challenge to Sen. Bob Menendez" . CBS News . Archived from the original on December 11, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017 .
^ Hutchins, Ryan (March 2, 2018). "Former Clinton, Obama staffer drops primary challenge against Menendez" . Politico New Jersey . Archived from the original on March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2018 .
^ Jordan, Bob (April 1, 2015). "What does the future hold for Menendez's Senate seat?" . App.com. Retrieved November 26, 2016 .
^ a b "2018 New Jersey primary election results" (PDF) . New Jersey Division of Elections . Retrieved June 4, 2019 .
^ "Hugin launches campaign to unseat Menendez" . Save Jersey. February 13, 2018. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2018 .
^ "Hugin flexes money muscle, preempts Menendez with February TV Spot" . Save Jersey. February 27, 2018. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2018 .
^ "Menendez could be in for dogfight for Senate seat" . ROINJ. May 25, 2018. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2018 .
^ "GOP longshots Goldberg, Grossman team up at the Jersey Shore" . Save Jersey. May 2018. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2018 .
^ "N.J. Senate primary candidate: Write in "Charlton Heston" over GOP's House incumbents (and recruits)" . Save Jersey. May 30, 2018. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2018 .
^ "Official List Candidates for US Senate For PRIMARY ELECTION 06/05/2018" (PDF) . New Jersey Department of State. July 20, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2018 .
^ "Menendez just got a top-tier Republican challenger in U.S. Senate race" . February 12, 2018. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2018 .
^ "Goldberg Readies Second Run for U.S. Senate in 2018 -" . savejersey.com . April 13, 2017. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017 .
^ a b "Singh to Run for U.S. Senate" . insidernj.com . February 2018. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018 .
^ "Federal Election Commission - New Jersey - Senate" . September 20, 2017. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017 .
^ Wildstein, David (February 13, 2018). "Pezzullo backs Hugin" . PoliticsDW.com . Archived from the original on February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2018 .
^ "CD6 Flashpoint: Pezzullo Declares Challenge to Pallone" . Insider NJ . March 4, 2018. Archived from the original on March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018 .
^ "CONFIRMED: Singh will enter the GOP's NJ-02 primary »" . February 16, 2018. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2018 .
^ Wildstein, David (January 26, 2018). "Ex-Sanders Democrat joins race for GOP Senate nod" . PoliticsDW . Archived from the original on January 28, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2018 .
^ Pizarro, Max (November 16, 2017). "Ciattarelli has Not Ruled out Running Against Menendez" . Insider NJ . Archived from the original on November 18, 2017.
^ Catalini, Michael (February 13, 2018). "GOP Senate hopeful jabs Menendez, distances self from Trump" . AP. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2018 .
^ Pizarro, Max (January 20, 2018). "Doherty Says He'd Serve Again as Trump's NJ State Director" . Insider NJ . Archived from the original on January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2018 .
^ a b c "Kean: Most popular choice for Chris Christie" . Conservative Intelligence Briefing . Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2014 .
^ "Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno entering 2017 N.J. governor race" . January 12, 2017. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017 .
^ a b "Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Endorses Bob Hugin For Senate - Insider NJ" . February 13, 2018. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018 .
^ a b Hetrick, Christian (November 17, 2017). "The Republicans Who Could Challenge Menendez" . Observer . Archived from the original on November 23, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2017 .
^ "WATSON, JERRY B - Candidate overview - FEC.gov" . FEC.gov . Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018 .
^ Westhoven, William (February 3, 2018). "Jay Webber says he's 'all-in' for run to replace Frelinghuysen" . Daily Record . Retrieved February 3, 2018 .
^ Donald J. Trump. "Bob Hugin, successful all of his life, would be a Great Senator from New Jersey. He has my complete and total Endorsement! Get out and Vote for Bob" . Twitter . Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018 .
^ a b "NJ Senate candidate Bob Hugin doesn't just support abortion, gay rights— he advertises it" .
^ "Menendez's Republican challenger: 'I'm offended' by senator's actions" . February 13, 2018. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018 .
^ "Bob Hugin Announces GOP Candidacy for the U.S. Senate at Springfield Elks Club" . Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018 .
^ a b "Puerto Rican Leaders Endorse Hugin" . Bob Hugin for Senate . October 17, 2018. Archived from the original on October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018 .
^ Leonard Lance. "Proud to be part of this morning's announcement in support of my friend Bob Hugin for U.S. Senate. Bob is a Marine Corps veteran & successful businessman who helped bring life-saving cures to market & thousands of jobs to NJ. We need Bob Hugin's leadership in the U.S. Senate" . Twitter .
^ "BobHugin on Twitter" .
^ "NJ article" .[permanent dead link ]
^ a b c d e "Bob Hugin Declares his Candidacy for US Senate" . Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018 .
^ "Bob Hugin Receives Morris County GOP Endorsements" . March 13, 2018. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018 .
^ "BobHugin on Twitter" .
^ "BobHugin on Twitter" . Twitter .
^ Carlos Rendo. "Bob and I grew up one block from each other in Union City, New Jersey and attended the same high school. I am proud to support this Union City native for the United States Senate!" . Twitter .
^ Ang Santos (October 23, 2018). "Former Democratic Freeholder Supports Hugin for US Senate" . WBGO . Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2018 .
^ "Another Jersey Democrat Announces Endorsement of Hugin for Senate" . Shore News Network . September 13, 2018. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018 .
^ Nikita Biryukov (August 27, 2018). "Brick Democratic councilman endorses Hugin" . New Jersey Globe . Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2018 .
^ David Wildstein (September 18, 2018). "Democratic mayor backs Hugin" . New Jersey Globe . Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018 .
^ a b c "Former Independent and Democrat Elected Officials of Union County Back Hugin" . Bob Hugin for Senate . October 19, 2018. Archived from the original on October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018 .
^ Daniel Nee (September 5, 2018). "Democratic Ocean County Freeholder Candidate Endorses GOP Senate Hopeful" . Brick Shorebeat . Archived from the original on September 6, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2018 .
^ "Former Democrat Mayor Endorses Hugin" . Bob Hugin for Senate . October 10, 2018. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018 .
^ "Millennial Democratic Leader Endorses Hugin" . Insider NJ . October 4, 2018. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018 .
^ "Donald Trump Jr. On Twitter: "NJ has a clear choice. Stick with Menendez who will always be dogged by serious ethics questions, or back GOP challenger, Bob Hugin, a Marine Corps veteran and the former chief of a large and very successful business. Seems like a no brainer. #nj #njpol" " . Archived from the original on October 22, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018 .
^ "Former Democrat Mayor Endorses Hugin" . Bob Hugin for Senate . September 25, 2018. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2018 .
^ "Bob Hugin is the Republican New Jersey needs" . July 31, 2018. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018 .
^ Matt Rooney (October 25, 2018). "NJSEN: Leading N.J. Latino group dumps Menendez, endorses Hugin" . The Save Jersey Blog . Archived from the original on October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018 .
^ "Editorial Board: We endorse Bob Hugin for U.S. Senate" . Burlington County Times . October 26, 2018. Archived from the original on October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018 .
^ "New Jersey should vote out corrupt Menendez" . New York Post . October 27, 2018. Archived from the original on October 28, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018 .
^ "Sabrin to Seek Libertarian Party Nomination for U.S. Senate - Insider NJ" . January 25, 2018. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018 .
^ "Ron Paul endorses Murray Sabrin for US Senator from NJ" . Libertarian Party . July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018 .
^ Biryukov, Nikita (July 17, 2018). "20 years later, Hoffman again running with the Green Party" . New Jersey Globe . Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018 .
^ a b c d O'Dea, Colleen (October 24, 2018). "Outsiders: Six Other Candidates Campaign for Senate Seat" . NJ Spotlight . Retrieved December 28, 2018 .
^ "USMAN, MUHAMMAD - Candidate overview - FEC.gov" . FEC.gov . Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2018 .
^ "Campaign finance data" . Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018 .
^ "2018 Senate Race Ratings for October 26, 2018" . The Cook Political Report . Retrieved March 13, 2021 .
^ "2018 Senate Ratings" . The Rothenberg Political Report . Retrieved March 13, 2021 .
^ "2018 Crystal Ball Senate race ratings" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2017 .
^ "Key Races: Senate" . Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018 .
^ "Battle for the Senate 2018" . Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018 .
^ "2018 Senate Power Rankings" . Fox News . Archived from the original on July 4, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2018 .
^ Change Research
^ Quinnipiac University
^ Stockton University
^ Vox Populi Polling
^ Emerson College
^ Rutgers-Eagleton Archived October 21, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
^ Quinnipiac University
^ Monmouth University
^ Madelyn Hoffman (G) with 1%, other with 1%
^ National Research Inc. (R-Hugin)
^ YouGov
^ Quinnipiac University
^ Vox Populi Polling
^ Fairleigh Dickinson University
^ Stockton University
^ Quinnipiac University
^ Gravis Marketing (L-Sabrin)
^ Gravis Marketing
^ Fairleigh Dickinson University
^ Monmouth University
^ Quinnipiac University
^ a b Harper Polling
^ "Official List Candidates for US Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 11/06/2018" (PDF) . Secretary of State of New Jersey. December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2018 .
Official campaign websites
U.S. Senate U.S. House (election ratings ) Governors Attorneys general State legislatures Mayors
Alexandria, VA
Anaheim, CA
Anchorage, AK
Auburn, AL
Austin, TX
Burlington, VT
Chula Vista, CA
Fairfax, VA
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Franklin, VA
Irvine, CA
Laredo, TX
Lexington, KY
Little Rock, AR
Long Beach, CA
Louisville, KY
Lubbock, TX
Nashville, TN (special)
Newark, NJ
Newport News, VA
Oakland, CA
Oklahoma City, OK
Phoenix, AZ (special)
Providence, RI
Radford, VA
Reno, NV
San Bernardino, CA
San Francisco, CA (special)
San Jose, CA
Santa Ana, CA
Tallahassee, FL
Virginia Beach, VA (special)
Washington, DC
Local Statewide Related