2013 New Jersey elections

A general election was held in the U.S. state of New Jersey on November 5, 2013. Primary elections were held on June 4. Every state position was up in this election cycle, which includes all 80 seats in the New Jersey General Assembly and all 40 seats in the Senate, as well as Governor and Lieutenant Governor. In addition to the State Legislative elections, numerous county offices and freeholders in addition to municipal offices were up for election. There were two statewide ballot questions. Some counties and municipalities may have had local ballot questions as well. Non-partisan local elections, some school board elections, and some fire district elections also happened throughout the year.

Additionally, the 2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey in October was held to fill the seat of Democrat Frank Lautenberg following his death in June 2013.

Gubernatorial election

Main article: 2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election

2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election

November 5, 2013 (2013-11-05)
Turnout	39.6% (7.3%)
Nominee Chris Christie Barbara Buono Party Republican Democratic Running mate Kim Guadagno Milly Silva Popular vote 1,278,932 809,978 Percentage 60.3% 38.2%
Christie:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80-90%      >90% Buono:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70-80%      80-90%
Governor before election Chris Christie Republican Elected Governor Chris Christie Republican

Incumbent Republican Governor Chris Christie and Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno won re-election against Democrats Barbara Buono and Milly Silva by a margin of 60.3%–38.2%.

Legislature

Senate

Main article: 2013 New Jersey Senate election

2013 New Jersey State Senate election

November 5, 2013
All 40 seats in the New Jersey Senate 21 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	34.4%
Majority party Minority party   Leader Steve Sweeney Thomas Kean Jr. Party Democratic Republican Leader's seat District 3 (West Deptford) District 21 (Westfield) Last election 24 16 Seats won 24 16 Seat change Popular vote 899,672 988,214 Percentage 47.4% 52.1% Swing 3.7% 3.4%
Results by district      Democratic hold      Republican hold
Senate President before election Stephen M. Sweeney Democratic Elected Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney Democratic

Democrats held their majority in the State Senate, winning 24 seats while Republicans won 16.

General Assembly

Main article: 2013 New Jersey General Assembly election

2013 New Jersey General Assembly election

November 5, 2013
All 80 seats in the New Jersey General Assembly 41 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Sheila Oliver (stepped down) Jon Bramnick Party Democratic Republican Leader since January 12, 2010 January 17, 2012 Leader's seat 34th (East Orange) 21st (Westfield) Last election 48 32 Seats won 48 32 Seat change Popular vote 1,828,078 1,907,361 Percentage 48.7% 50.7% Swing 2.5% 2.7%
Results:      Democratic hold      Democratic gain      Republican hold      Republican gain
Speaker before election Sheila Oliver Democratic Elected Speaker Vincent Prieto Democratic

All 80 seats in the General Assembly were up for election this year. In each Legislative district, there are two people elected; the top two winners in the general election are the ones sent to the Assembly. Typically, the two members of each party run as a team in each election. After the previous election, Democrats captured 48 seats while the Republicans won 32 seats.

Democrats flipped one seat in the 2nd district and Republicans flipped one in the 1st district, leaving the balance of power unchanged at 48–32, despite Democrats losing the popular vote. This remains the last election in which the party that won control of the General Assembly did not win a majority of votes.

Ballot measures

Two statewide questions were on the ballot which were approved by voters:

• Public Question Number 1, Allows veterans' organizations to use money collected from existing games of chance to support their organizations.
• Public Question Number 2, Increases the state minimum wage.

Senate special election

Main article: 2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey

2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey

October 16, 2013
Turnout	24.5%
Nominee Cory Booker Steve Lonegan Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 740,742 593,684 Percentage 54.9% 44.0%
Booker:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Lonegan:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
U.S. senator before election Jeffrey Chiesa Republican Elected U.S. Senator Cory Booker Democratic

The 2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey was held on October 16, 2013, to fill the New Jersey United States Senate Class 2 seat for the remainder of the term ending January 3, 2015. The vacancy resulted from the death of five-term Democratic senator Frank Lautenberg on June 3, 2013. On June 4, 2013, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced that a primary election to fill the vacancy would take place on August 13, 2013 and that a special election would follow on October 16, 2013. Christie appointed Republican New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa to the seat as a placeholder; Chiesa announced at the time of his appointment that he would not be a candidate in the special election.

The primary elections were won by Republican former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan and Democratic Newark Mayor Cory Booker. Booker defeated Lonegan on October 16, 2013, and became the first African-American elected to statewide office in New Jersey. 24.5% of registered voters cast ballots, making this the lowest voter turnout of any statewide election.