United States Senate election in New Jersey, 2012
Encyclopedia
The 2012 United States Senate election in New Jersey will take place on November 6, 2012 concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election
as well as other elections to the United States Senate
and House of Representatives
and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Menendez is running for re-election to a second full term.
appointed him to the seat after having resigned to become governor of New Jersey, following his election in November 2005. In November 2006, Menendez defeated Republican state senator Thomas Kean, Jr. with 53.3% of the vote.
On November 18, 2010, the New Jersey Supreme Court
rejected a bid by conservative activists to recall Menendez, ruling that state law does not allow the removal of a sitting federal representative outside of scheduled elections.
Greg Pason
, National Secretary of the Socialist Party USA
and three-time candidate for US Senate, was nominated by the Socialist Party of New Jersey
on November 13th, 2011 to run for Senate.
Official campaign websites
United States presidential election, 2012
The United States presidential election of 2012 is the next United States presidential election, to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. It will be the 57th quadrennial presidential election in which presidential electors, who will actually elect the President and the Vice President of the United...
as well as other elections to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
and House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Menendez is running for re-election to a second full term.
Background
Bob Menendez became the first Hispanic-American U.S. senator to represent New Jersey in January 2006 when former U.S. senator Jon CorzineJon Corzine
Jon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
appointed him to the seat after having resigned to become governor of New Jersey, following his election in November 2005. In November 2006, Menendez defeated Republican state senator Thomas Kean, Jr. with 53.3% of the vote.
On November 18, 2010, the New Jersey Supreme Court
New Jersey Supreme Court
The New Jersey Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It has existed in three different forms under the three different state constitutions since the independence of the state in 1776...
rejected a bid by conservative activists to recall Menendez, ruling that state law does not allow the removal of a sitting federal representative outside of scheduled elections.
Declared
- Gwen Diakos, civilian defense contractor
- Bob Menendez, incumbent U.S. senator
Potential
- Diane Allen, state senator, 2002 U.S. Senate candidate (lost in primary), and former news broadcaster
- Bill BaroniBill BaroniWilliam E. "Bill" Baroni, Jr. is an American Republican Party politician and law professor who was named by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in February 2010 to serve as the Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the nation’s busiest airport...
, Port Authority of New York and New JerseyPort Authority of New York and New JerseyThe Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state port district, established in 1921 through an interstate compact, that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure, including the bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports, within the Port of New York and New Jersey...
deputy executive director - Jennifer Beck, state senator
- Lou DobbsLou DobbsLouis Carl "Lou" Dobbs is an American journalist, radio host, television host on the Fox Business Network, and author. He anchored CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight until November 2009 when he announced on the air that he would leave the 24-hour cable news television network.He was born in Texas and lived...
, radio personalityRadio personalityA radio personality is a person with an on-air position in radio broadcasting. A radio personality can be someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk radio show that may take calls from listeners, or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather,...
, television hostPresenterA presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
, and political commentator - Michael DohertyMichael J. DohertyMichael J. Doherty is an American Republican Party politician who serves in the New Jersey Senate representing the 23rd legislative district. He won the seat held by Marcia A. Karrow, who had earlier been selected by a party convention to succeed Leonard Lance after his election to the United...
, state senator - Kim GuadagnoKim GuadagnoKim Guadagno is the first Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, having won the 2009 election as the running mate of Governor Chris Christie. She is also concurrently the Secretary of State of New Jersey.-Early life:...
, New Jersey Lieutenant Governor - Woody Johnson, businessman
- Thomas Kean, Jr., State Senate Minority Leader, 2006 U.S. Senate Nominee
- Anna LittleAnna C. LittleAnna Campbell Little is an American Republican Party politician who served as mayor of Highlands, New Jersey from 2008 through 2010, and who has previously served on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. She ran for congress in New Jersey's 6th congressional district, conceding to...
, former mayor of HighlandsHighlands, New JerseyHighlands is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,005. It is the home town of film maker, director, and comic book writer Kevin Smith. The eastern part of the town is built on a high bluff that overlooks Sandy...
and unsuccessful candidate for the 6th congressional districtNew Jersey's 6th congressional districtNew Jersey's Sixth Congressional District is currently represented by Democrat Frank Pallone. In the 2010 election, Pallone defeated Republican Anna C...
in 2010 - Tim Smith, financial services firm executive and member of the RoxburyRoxbury Township, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,883 people, 8,364 households, and 6,532 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,117.4 people per square mile . There were 8,550 housing units at an average density of 400.0 per square mile...
Township Council - Jay WebberJay WebberJay Webber is an American Republican Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008, where he represents the 26th legislative district...
, state assemblyman and former New Jersey Republican State CommitteeNew Jersey Republican State CommitteeThe New Jersey Republican State Committee is the affiliate of the Republican Party in New Jersey. The Committee was founded in 1880. The party is led by Chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee Sam Raia of Saddle River, New Jersey.-Membership:...
chairman
Declined
- Chris Christie, New Jersey governor and former U.S. AttorneyUnited States Attorney for the District of New JerseyThe U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey is the chief federal law enforcement officer in New Jersey. Paul J. Fishman was sworn into office as U.S. Attorney on October 14, 2009 after having been nominated by President Barack Obama. He succeeded Ralph J. Marra, who served as Acting U.S....
- John CrowleyJohn Crowley (biotech executive)John Francis Crowley is an American biotechnology executive and entrepreneur. He is best known as the founder of several biotech companies devoted to curing genetic diseases.-Life and career:...
, biotechnologyBiotechnologyBiotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
executive - Ian Linker, lawyer (dropped out)
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Michael Doherty |
Kim Guadagno |
Woody Johnson |
Tom Kean Jr. |
Joseph Kyrillos |
Anna Little |
Tim Smith |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | July 15-18, 2011 | 300 | ± 5.7% | 7% | 10% | 9% | 36% | 3% | 4% | 2% | — | 30% |
Minor Parties
Larry Donahue will run as an independent.Greg Pason
Greg Pason
Gregory "Greg" Pason is an American democratic socialist politician, activist, and National Secretary of the Socialist Party USA. Additionally, Pason has served in various positions in the Socialist Party of New Jersey and Northern New Jersey Socialist Party, currently serving as co-chair of the...
, National Secretary of the Socialist Party USA
Socialist Party USA
The Socialist Party USA is a multi-tendency democratic-socialist party in the United States. The party states that it is the rightful continuation and successor to the tradition of the Socialist Party of America, which had lasted from 1901 to 1972.The party is officially committed to left-wing...
and three-time candidate for US Senate, was nominated by the Socialist Party of New Jersey
Socialist Party of New Jersey
The Socialist Party of New Jersey is the state chapter of the Socialist Party USA in the U.S. state of New Jersey.The Socialist Party of America voted 73:34 to change its name to Social Democrats, USA in December of 1972. SPUSA was founded in 1973, after which the SPNJ was founded.The Socialist...
on November 13th, 2011 to run for Senate.
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Menendez (D) |
Jennifer Beck (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | January 3–9, 2011 | 802 | ± 3.5% | 42% | 29% | — | 29% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Menendez (D) |
Lou Dobbs (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | January 6–9, 2011 | 520 | ± 4.3% | 47% | 35% | — | 18% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Menendez (D) |
Lou Dobbs (I) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | January 4–10, 2010 | 801 | ± 3.5% | 37% | 34% | — | 28% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Menendez (D) |
Michael Doherty (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farleigh Dickinson University | September 19–25, 2011 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 49% | 30% | — | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 15–18, 2011 | 480 | ± 4.5% | 48% | 35% | — | 17% |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | January 3–9, 2011 | 802 | ± 3.5% | 40% | 30% | — | 30% |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | Feb. 23-Mar. 1, 2010 | 801 | ± 3.5% | 40% | 27% | 8% | 25% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Menendez (D) |
Kim Guadagno (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | July 15–18, 2011 | 480 | ± 4.5% | 48% | 34% | — | 18% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 6–9, 2011 | 520 | ± 4.3% | 45% | 30% | — | 24% |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | January 3–9, 2011 | 802 | ± 3.5% | 47% | 26% | — | 27% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Menendez (D) |
Woody Johnson (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | July 15–18, 2011 | 480 | ± 4.5% | 48% | 30% | — | 22% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Menendez (D) |
Tom Kean Jr. (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | July 15–18, 2011 | 480 | ± 4.5% | 44% | 39% | — | 16% |
| Public Policy Polling | January 6–9, 2011 | 520 | ± 4.3% | 41% | 39% | — | 19% |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | January 3–9, 2011 | 802 | ± 3.5% | 44% | 34% | — | 22% |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | Feb. 23-Mar. 1, 2010 | 801 | ± 3.5% | 38% | 39% | 6% | 17% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Robert Menendez (D) |
Joseph Kyrillos (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farleigh Dickinson University | September 19–25, 2011 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 49% | 28% | — | 22% |
| Public Policy Polling | July 15–18, 2011 | 480 | ± 4.5% | 48% | 29% | — | 23% |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University | January 3–9, 2011 | 802 | ± 3.5% | 41% | 29% | — | 30% |
See also
- United States Senate elections, 2012United States Senate elections, 2012Elections to the United States Senate are to be held on November 6, 2012, with 33 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested in regular elections whose winners will serve six-year terms from January 3, 2013 until January 3, 2019. Additionally, special elections may be held to fill vacancies...
- United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey, 2012United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey, 2012The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 to elect the 12 U.S. Representatives from the state of New Jersey, a loss of one seat following the 2010 United States Census...
External links
- New Jersey Division of Elections
- U.S. Congress candidates for New Jersey at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
Official campaign websites