The 1987 New Jersey General Assembly election was held on November 5, 1987.
The elections took place midway through Governor Tom Kean's second term in office. Democrats won back eight seats, narrowing the Republican majority to four. Democrats flipped one seat in districts 1 and 14, as well as flipping both seats in districts 32, 33, and 36.
Incumbents not running for re-election
Democratic
- Joseph L. Bocchini Jr. (District 14) (ran for Mercer County Executive)
- Thomas H. Paterniti (District 18) (ran for State Senate)
- Vincent O. Pellecchia (District 35)
Republican
- Guy F. Muziani (District 1)
- Joseph W. Chinnici (District 1)
- Joseph Azzolina (District 13) (ran for State Senate)
- John K. Rafferty (District 14)
- Charles J. Catrillo (District 32) (ran for State Senate)
- Louis Kosco (District 38) (ran for State Senate)
Summary of races
Voters in each legislative district elect two members to the New Jersey General Assembly.
Close races
Districts where the difference of total votes between the top-two parties was under 10%:
- District 1, 1.0% gain D
- District 3, 7.6%
- District 10, 5.4%
- District 13, 5.2%
- District 19, 7.8%
- District 34, 9.3%
- District 36, 9.6% gain
- District 38, 4.4%
District 1
General election
Candidates
- Raymond A. Batten, candidate for Assembly in 1985 (Democratic)
- Frank LoBiondo, Cumberland County Freeholder (Republican)
- Edward H. Salmon, Cumberland County Freeholder and former mayor of Millville (Democratic)
- Gerald M. Thornton (Republican)
Results
District 2
General election
Candidates
- Dolores G. Cooper, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
- J. Edward Kline, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Republican)
- Fred Scerni (Democratic)
- William A. Thompson III (Democratic)
Results
District 3
General election
Candidates
- Jack Collins, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 (Republican)
- Paul A. Oland (Democratic)
- Gary Stuhltrager, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 (Republican)
- James G. Waddington (Democratic)
Results
District 4
General election
Candidates
- Anthony S. Marsella, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)
- John Matheussen, attorney (Republican)
- Dennis L. Riley, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Democratic)
- Wayne S. Wooster (Republican)
Results
District 5
General election
Candidates
- Wayne R. Bryant, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)
- Jose DeJesus Jr. (Republican)
- Raymond R. Groller (Republican)
- Joseph J. Roberts, incumbent Assembly member since July 1987 (Democratic)
Results
District 6
General election
Candidates
- Patrick J. Brennan (Democratic)
- John A. Rocco, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Republican)
- Thomas J. Shusted, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 (Republican)
- John J. Tarditi Jr. (Democratic)
Results
District 7
General election
Candidates
- Renee L. Borstad, candidate for Assembly in 1985 (Republican)
- Vincent R. Faris (Republican)
- Thomas P. Foy, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Democratic)
- Barbara Kalik, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 (Democratic)
Results
District 8
General election
Candidates
- Harold L. Colburn Jr., incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Republican)
- Thomas Long (Democratic)
- Robert C. Shinn Jr., incumbent Assembly member since February 1985 (Republican)
- Harrison B. Slack, candidate for Assembly in 1985 (Democratic)
Results
District 9
General election
Candidates
- Judy Anderson (Democratic)
- John T. Hendrickson Jr., incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
- Jeffrey Moran, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 (Republican)
- Harry F. Schmoll Jr. (Democratic)
Results
District 10
General election
Candidates
- John Paul Doyle, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 and former Assembly Majority Leader (Democratic)
- Marlene Lynch Ford, former Assembly member (Democratic)
- Robert A. Gasser (Republican)
- Robert Singer, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 and former mayor of Lakewood Township (Republican)
Results
District 11
General election
Candidates
- Mary K. Blohm (Compulsory Education Law)
- John D'Amico Jr., Monmouth County Freeholder (Democratic)
- Joshua Leinsdorf (Compulsory Education Law)
- Joseph A. Palaia, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
- Joseph Quinn (Democratic)
- Anthony M. Villane, incumbent Assembly member since 1976 (Republican)
Results
District 12
General election
Candidates
- Gene J. Anthony (Democratic)
- John O. Bennett, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Republican)
- Dante J. Massa (Democratic)
- Marie Sheehan Muhler, incumbent Assembly member since 1976 (Republican)
Results
District 13
General election
Candidates
- William Flynn, former Assembly member (Democratic)
- Joe Kyrillos, special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior (Republican)
- Joann H. Smith, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 (Republican)
- Jacqueline Walker, former Assembly member (Democratic)
Results
District 14
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Anthony J. Cimino, Mercer County Freeholder
- Janice Mironov, East Windsor municipal attorney
- Joseph D. Patero, former Assembly member from Manville
Declined
- Joseph L. Bocchini, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (ran for Mercer County Executive)
Republican primary
Declined
- John K. Rafferty, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 and mayor of Hamilton Township (ran for re-election as mayor)
General election
Candidates
- Anthony J. Cimino, Mercer County Freeholder (Democratic)
- David J. Kenny (Republican)
- Joseph D. Patero, former Assembly member (Democratic)
- Walt Sodie (Republican)
Results
District 15
General election
Candidates
- Arthur E. Frank (Republican)
- John S. Furlong (Republican)
- Gerald S. Naples, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)
- John S. Watson, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)
Results
District 16
General election
Candidates
- Walter J. Kavanaugh, incumbent Assembly member since 1976 (Republican)
- Adele Montgomery (Democratic)
- John S. Penn, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Republican)
- Alfred A. Wicklund (Democratic)
Results
District 17
General election
Candidates
- David C. Schwartz, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 (Democratic)
- Peter J. Selesky (Republican)
- Bob Smith, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 (Democratic)
- Dorothy Sonnenberg (Republican)
Results
District 18
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Frank M. Pelly, incumbent Assembly member since 1982
- George A. Spadoro, member of the Edison Township Council
Declined
- Thomas H. Paterniti, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (ran for State Senate)
General election
Candidates
- Doris M. Fleming (Republican)
- Robert Maurer (Republican)
- Frank M. Pelly, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)
- George A. Spadoro, member of the Edison Township Council (Democratic)
Results
District 19
General election
Candidates
- Alan Karcher, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 and former Speaker of the General Assembly (Democratic)
- George Otlowski, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 and mayor of Perth Amboy (Democratic)
- Beverly A. Samuelson (Republican)
- Emery Z. Toth, candidate for Assembly in 1985 (Republican)
Results
District 20
General election
Candidates
- Thomas J. Deverin, incumbent Assembly member since 1970 (Democratic)
- George Hudak, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 and mayor of Linden (Democratic)
- Peter Kobylarz (Republican)
- William Wnuck (Republican)
Results
District 21
General election
Candidates
- Robert Blitz (Democratic)
- Brian W. Fahey (Democratic)
- Peter J. Genova, incumbent Assembly member since 1985 (Republican)
- Chuck Hardwick, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 and Speaker of the General Assembly since 1986 (Republican)
Results
District 22
General election
Candidates
- Bob Franks, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Republican)
- Robert J. Lafferty (Democratic)
- Maureen Ogden, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
Results
District 23
General election
Candidates
- Edward J. Boccher (Democratic)
- Dick Kamin, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 (Republican)
- Frederick J. Katz Jr. (Democratic)
- Bill Schluter, former member of the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly (Republican)
Results
District 24
General election
Candidates
- Robert T. Davis, candidate for Assembly in 1985 (Democratic)
- Chuck Haytaian, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
- Robert E. Littell, incumbent Assembly member since 1968 (Republican)
- Edwin C. Selby (Democratic)
Results
District 25
General election
Candidates
- Arthur R. Albohn, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Republican)
- Rodney Frelinghuysen, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Republican)
- George J. Stafford (Democratic)
Results
District 26
General election
Candidates
- Drew Britcher (Democratic)
- Ralph A. Loveys, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Republican)
- Robert Martin, incumbent Assembly member since 1985 (Republican)
- Paul E. Nagel (Democratic)
Results
District 27
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Stephanie R. Bush, East Orange attorney
- Mildred Barry Garvin, incumbent Assembly member since 1978
- Christine Keno, East Orange resident
- Harry A. McEnroe, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Democratic)
- Catherine Willis, campaign manager for Mildred Barry Garvin
General election
Candidates
- Stephanie R. Bush, East Orange attorney (Democratic)
- Harry A. McEnroe, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Democratic)
- Lilliana Piccione (Republican)
- James C. Pitchford (Republican)
Results
District 28
General election
Candidates
- Michael Adubato, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 (Democratic)
- Howard E. Berkeley (Republican)
- Lawrence Hamm, community activist (People's Needs First)
- William P. Rutan (Republican)
- James Zangari, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Democratic)
Results
District 29
General election
Candidates
- Willie B. Brown, incumbent Assembly member since 1974 (Democratic)
- Kurt A. Culbreath, candidate for Assembly in 1985 (Republican)
- Jackie Mattison, chief of staff to mayor of Newark Sharpe James (Democratic)
- Shahid S. Watson (Republican)
Results
District 30
General election
Candidates
- Marion Crecco, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 (Republican)
- Cynthia DeBonis (Democratic)
- John V. Kelly, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 (Republican)
- James A. Plaisted (Democratic)
Results
District 31
General election
Candidates
- Joseph Charles, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)
- Joseph Doria, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Democratic)
- Modesto Daniel Fiume (Republican)
- James V. McNally Jr. (Republican)
Results
District 32
General election
Candidates
- Cathy Borer (Politicians Are Crooks)
- Peter Galbo (Politicians Are Crooks)
- Frank J. Gargiulo, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 (Republican)
- Anthony Impreveduto, member of the Secaucus Town Council (Democratic)
- David C. Kronick (Democratic)
- Lee S. Lichtenberger (Republican)
Results
District 33
General election
Candidates
- Jose Arango, incumbent Assembly member since 1986 (Republican)
- Michael P. Dapuzzo ("Pride-Responsibility")
- Bernard Kenny, former Hoboken assistant corporation counsel (Democratic)
- Bob Menendez, mayor of Union City (Democratic)
- Wanda Morales ("Pride-Responsibility")
- Angelo M. Valente (Republican)
Results
District 34
General election
Candidates
- William L. Kattak (Democratic)
- Gloria J. Kolodziej (Democratic)
- Newton Edward Miller, incumbent Assembly member since 1980 (Republican)
- Gerald H. Zecker, incumbent Assembly member since 1984 (Republican)
Results
District 35
Democratic primary
Candidates
- John Girgenti, incumbent Assembly member since 1978
- Bill Pascrell, member of the Paterson Board of Education and chair of the Passaic County Democratic Committee
Withdrew
- Roy Griffin, president of the Paterson City Council
- William Kline, assistant superintendent of Paterson Public Schools
General election
Candidates
- Robert Angele (Republican)
- Martin G. Barnes, member of the Paterson City Council (Republican)
- John Girgenti, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 (Democratic)
- Bill Pascrell, member of the Paterson Board of Education and chair of the Passaic County Democratic Committee (Democratic)
Results
District 36
General election
Candidates
- Andrew E. Bertone (Republican)
- Frakn B. Calandriello (Republican)
- Thomas J. Duch, mayor of Garfield (Democratic)
- Louis J. Gill, member of the Passaic City Council (Democratic)
Results
District 37
General election
Candidates
- Byron Baer, incumbent Assembly member since 1972 (Democratic)
- Anthony J. Cassano (Republican)
- Barry N. Frank (Republican)
- D. Bennett Mazur, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Democratic)
Results
District 38
General election
Candidates
- Joseph Capizzi (Democratic)
- Patrick J. Roma, member of the Palisades Park Borough Council (Republican)
- John J. Ryan Jr. (Democratic)
- Pat Schuber, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
Results
District 39
General election
Candidates
- Robert P. Bonnano (Democratic)
- William J. Daly (Democratic)
- Elizabeth Randall, assistant counsel to Governor Thomas Kean (Republican)
- John E. Rooney, incumbent Assembly member since 1983 (Republican)
Results
District 40
General election
Candidates
- Nicholas Felice, incumbent Assembly member since 1982 (Republican)
- Walter M. D. Kern, incumbent Assembly member since 1978 (Republican)
- Michael Harris (Michael Harris Libertarian)
- Edward F. Seavers Jr. (Democratic)
- Michael S. Taaffe (Democratic)
Results
Notes
See also
- 1987 New Jersey Senate election
References
