1973 New Jersey Senate election

File:New Jersey Legislative Districts Map (1973).svg

{{See also|Reynolds v. Sims}}

Until 1965, the New Jersey State Senate was composed of 21 senators, with each county electing one senator. After the U.S. Supreme Court, in Reynolds v. Sims (more commonly known as One Man, One Vote), required redistricting by state legislatures for congressional districts to keep represented populations equal, as well as requiring both houses of state legislatures to have districts drawn that contained roughly equal populations, and to perform redistricting when needed.{{cite news|title=JERSEY ORDERED TO REAPPORTION; Judge Finds Congressional Districts Unconstitutional|work=New York Times|date=21 May 1965|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1965/05/22/archives/jersey-ordered-to-reapportion-judge-finds-congressional-districts.html}} In 1965, the Senate was increased from 21 members to 29 members, and larger counties were given more than one seat, and some smaller counties shared one or two senators. The map was changed again in 1967, and again in 1971, as the state adjusted to the one-man, one-vote ruling.

For the first time, the state was to be divided into 40 legislative districts, with each district electing one State Senator and two members of the General Assembly. The districts were drawn first to achieve a population balance (districts were drawn to be within +/- 4% of each other), and then to be as geographically compact as possible.{{cite news|last1=Sullivan|first1=Ronald|title=JERSEY APPROVES DISTRICTING PLAN; Reapportions State Senate and Assembly Seats for this Year's Elections Jersey Panel Approves a Plan To Redistrict Legislative Seats Jersey Panel Approves a Plan To Redistrict Legislative Seats|work=New York Times|date=9 March 1973}}

For the most part, incumbent senators were given their own districts in which to run, with one exception. Senators William J. Bate and Joseph Hirkala, both of Passaic County (District 14), were re-districted into the same district, numbered 34. Bate successfully ran for Assembly rather than challenge Hirkala.

• J. Edward Crabiel, Middlesex (District 18) (ran for Governor)
• Norman Tanzman, Middlesex (District 19)
• Ralph DeRose, Essex (District 28) (ran for Governor)
• William J. Bate, Passaic (District 30) (redistricted; ran for Assembly)
• William F. Kelly Jr., Hudson (District 32)

• Frank Italiano, Camden (District 5)
• John F. Brown, Ocean (District 9)
• Peter W. Thomas, Morris (District 24)
• Harold C. Hollenbeck, Bergen (District 36)
• Alfred D. Schiaffo, Bergen (District 39)

Two incumbent Republican senators were elected to Congress in 1972 and resigned in January 1973 to take their seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Both seats were won by Democrats:

• District 21: Matthew John Rinaldo was succeeded by Democrat Thomas Dunn, the Mayor of Elizabeth.
• District 23: Joseph Maraziti was succeeded by Democrat Stephen Wiley, a Morristown attorney.

One incumbent Republican Senator was defeated for renomination in the June primary and Republicans held that seat:

• District 22: Jerome Epstein (R-Union), succeeded by Republican Peter J. McDonough, an Assemblyman from Union County. McDonough won 60%-40% over the incumbent, who was facing an indictment.{{cite web|title=Our Campaigns|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=740440|access-date=3 December 2014}}

• District 35: Joseph Lazzara (D-Passaic) lost to Republican Frank Davenport, the Passaic County Sheriff.

• District 6: John L. Miller (R-Camden) lost to Democrat Alene Ammond.
• District 10: Richard Stout (R-Monmouth) lost to Democrat Herbert Buehler.
• District 12: Joseph Azzolina (R-Monmouth) lost to Democrat Eugene Bedell, an Assemblyman from Monmouth County.
• District 14: William Schluter (R-Mercer) lost to Democrat Anne Clark Martindell. the Vice Chairwoman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.
• District 20: Frank X. McDermott (R-Union) lost to Democrat Alexander J. Menza, an Assemblyman from Union County.
• District 27: Michael Giuliano (R-Essex) lost to Democrat Carmen Orechio, the Mayor of Nutley.
• District 37: Joseph Woodcock (R-Bergen) lost to Democrat Matthew Feldman. a former State Senator and the Bergen County Democratic Chairman.
• District 38: Frederick Wendel (R-Bergen) lost to Democrat John Skevin, a former Assemblyman from Bergen County.

• District 5: Frank Italiano (R-Camden), succeeded by Democrat John Horn, the Assembly Minority Leader, from Camden County.
• District 9: John F. Brown (R-Ocean), succeeded by Democrat John F. Russo, a former Ocean County Prosecutor.
• District 36: Harold Hollenbeck (R-Bergen), succeeded by Democrat Anthony Scardino, the Mayor of Lyndhurst.
• District 39: Alfred Schiaffo (R-Bergen), succeeded by Raymond Garramone, the Mayor of Haworth.

• District 30: William Bate (D-Passaic), succeeded by Independent Anthony Imperiale, an Assemblyman from Essex County. (Bate was redistricted into District 34, where Democrat Joseph Hirkala lived; instead of challenging Hirkala in the primary, he instead ran successfully for the State Assembly.)

• District 18: J. Edward Crabiel (D-Middlesex), who briefly sought the 1973 Democratic nomination for Governor, succeeded by Democrat Bernard Dwyer, the Mayor of Edison.
• District 19: Norman Tanzman (D-Middlesex), succeeded by Democrat John Fay, an Assemblyman from Middlesex County.
• District 28: Ralph DeRose (D-Essex), who lost to Brendan Byrne in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, was succeeded by Democrat Martin L. Greenberg, who was Byrne's law partner.
• District 32: William F. Kelly, Jr. (D-Hudson), succeeded by Democrat Joseph W. Tumulty.

• District 24: Peter W. Thomas (R-Morris), succeeded by Republican James P. Vreeland, an Assemblyman from Morris County.

{{notelist}}

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

1. {{font color|red|District 35, 0.28%}} gain
2. {{font color|blue|District 14, 3.06%}} gain
3. {{font color|red|District 22, 4.64%}}
4. {{font color|red|District 24, 5.24%}}
5. {{font color|blue|District 38, 5.29%}} gain
6. {{font color|red|District 8, 5.64%}}
7. {{font color|blue|District 23, 6.12%}} gain
8. {{font color|blue|District 27, 6.18%}} gain
9. {{font color|blue|District 6, 6.32%}} gain
10. {{font color|red|District 11, 8.10%}}
11. {{font color|red|District 25, 8.48%}}
12. {{font color|blue|District 39, 8.58%}} gain
13. {{font color|blue|District 9, 9.06%}} gain
14. {{font color|red|District 15, 9.98%}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary{{cite web |title=Results of the Primary Election held June 5, 1973 |url=https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/1920-1970//1973-primary-election.pdf |website=New Jersey Division of Elections |publisher=State of New Jersey}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = James S. Cafiero

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 15,580

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 15,580

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = William R. Bowen

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 3,774

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 3,774

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• William E. Bowen, director of the Bridgeton Housing Authority and former City Councilman{{cite news|title=Bridgeton Housing Chief Seeks Democratic Nod for Senator|date=20 Apr 1973|page=1|newspaper=Vineland Daily Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/281074238|url-access=subscription|access-date=16 Apr 2023}}
• James S. Cafiero, incumbent Senator

{{Election box begin no change|title=1st Legislative District{{cite web|title=Results of the General Election held November 6, 1973|url=https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/1920-1970//1973-general-election.pdf |website=New Jersey Division of Elections| publisher=State of New Jersey}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = James S. Cafiero (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 34,807

| percentage = 58.26%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = William E. Bowen

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 24,933

| percentage = 41.74%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 59,740

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

This district consisted of most of Atlantic County, as well as Little Egg Harbor Township, Tuckerton, and rural parts of Burlington County within the Pine Barrens.

• Irving A. Lilienfeld, Atlantic County Freeholder{{cite news|title=Area Legislative Contests|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|date=4 Nov 1973|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/145590837/|access-date=24 Jul 2022|url-access=subscription}}
• F. Frederick Perone, former Atlantic City municipal judge{{cite news|title=DeStefano Holds Off Committee Challenge|date=6 Jun 1972|page=2|newspaper=Vineland Daily Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/281474324/|url-access=subscription|access-date=16 Apr 2023}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Irving Lilienfeld

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 12,832

| percentage = 60.23%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = F. Frederick Perone

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 8,474

| percentage = 39.77%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 21,306

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Michael J. Matthews, Atlantic County Freeholder
• Joseph McGahn, incumbent Senator

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph McGahn (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 3,498

| percentage = 50.36%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Michael J. Matthews

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 3,448

| percentage = 49.64%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,946

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Irving A. Lilienfeld, Atlantic County Freeholder (Republican)
• Joseph McGahn, incumbent Senator (Democratic)

Both candidates supported a statewide referendum on legalized gambling. Lilienfeld and his running mates supported a statewide coordinated mass transit program, while the Democratic ticket supported a county-wide transportation program. The Republicans also emphasized crackdowns on welfare fraud and stricter drug control, while the Democrats campaigned to attract more light industry to the region.

{{Election box begin no change|title=2nd Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph McGahn (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 32,043

| percentage = 55.09%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Irving A. Lilienfeld

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 26,120

| percentage = 44.91%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 58,163

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Robert E. Boakes, Woodbury attorney and former municipal judge{{cite news|title=Boakes Given Post as Sandman Aide|date=28 Sep 1973|page=8|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/920829406/|url-access=subscription|access-date=16 Apr 2023}}
• Walter Fish, Gloucester County Sheriff (write-in)
• James M. Turner, incumbent Senator (until June 28)

• Kenneth A. Black Jr., Assemblyman from Salem County
• David Stroud, Woodbury attorney

Turner was removed from his seat on June 28 after his conviction for conspiracy to place 6,500 amphetamine tablets in the home of Kenneth A. Gewertz, the Democratic Assemblyman from the district. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

The conviction barred Turner from holding state office. Nevertheless, Turner remained in the race, saying "I intend to win, and I expect the Senate to seat me."{{cite news|last=Waggoner|first=Walter H. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/29/archives/turner-convicted-in-drug-conspiracy-turner-convicted-of-plot-to.html?_r=0|title=Turner Convicted In Drug Conspiracy|work=The New York Times|date=29 June 1973|access-date=24 June 2021}}{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Joseph F. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/10/07/archives/legislative-candidates-fighting-apathy-problem-for-kean-woodcocks.html|title=Legislative Candidates Fighting Apathy|work=The New York Times|date=7 Oct 1973|access-date=24 June 2021}}

Because it was too late to remove Turner from the ballot, an appeal was made to remove him, which a judge denied. The Republican Party attempted to run a write-in campaign for Gloucester Sheriff Walter Fish instead.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = James Turner (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 5,545

| percentage = 41.07%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Walter E. Fish Jr. (write-in)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 4,678

| percentage = 34.65%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Robert E. Boakes

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 3,277

| percentage = 24.27%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 13,500

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Raymond Zane, Gloucester County Freeholder

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Raymond Zane

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 6,834

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,834

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=3rd Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Raymond Zane

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 34,266

| percentage = 79.94%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = James Turner (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 8,598

| percentage = 20.06%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 42,864

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Thomas E. Jenkins

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 5,173

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,173

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Joseph A. Maressa, incumbent Senator
• Robert W. Yost, Gloucester Township registrar of deeds{{cite news|title=2 Legislators Face Trouble Due to Remap|last=Culnan|first=Dennis M.|newspaper=Courier-Post|date=10 Mar 1973|page=24|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/181326870/|url-access=subscription|access-date=16 Apr 2023}}

Yost was backed by Angelo Errichetti and Jack Gasparre, the mayor of Cherry Hill.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph A. Maressa (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 7,533

| percentage = 69.12%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Robert W. Yost

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 3,366

| percentage = 30.88%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 10,899

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=4th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph A. Maressa

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 31,729

| percentage = 63.79%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Thomas E. Jenkins

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 18,012

| percentage = 36.21%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 49,741

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Frank Italiano, incumbent Senator

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Richard C. Hardenbergh

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 4,794

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 4,794

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• John J. Horn, Assembly Minority Leader

• James Florio, Assemblyman

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John J. Horn

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 6,680

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,680

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=5th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John J. Horn

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 25,999

| percentage = 65.20%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Richard C. Hardenberg

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 13,509

| percentage = 33.88%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Dominic W. Doganiero

| party = Socialist Labor Party (United States)

| votes = 369

| percentage = 0.93%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 39,877

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• John L. Miller, incumbent Senator

• William K. Dickey, Assemblyman from Collingswood

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John L. Miller (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 10,857

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 10,857

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Alene Ammond, candidate for Cherry Hill City Council in 1967{{cite news|title=Democrats Fighting to Run in Cahill's Home District|newspaper=The Courier-Post|date=26 May 1973|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/181339521|url-access=subscription|access-date=16 Apr 2023|page=23}}
• John P. Jehl, Voorhees attorney and former assistant Camden County prosecutor

The Democratic primary was part of a countywide power struggle between party chair James Joyce and Cherry Hill party leader Jack Gasparre, who was also backed by Angelo Errichetti, the leader of the Camden Democratic organization and the mayor-elect. The camps were also divided in their choices for Governor; Gasparre and Errichetti backed Brendan Byrne, while Joyce backed Ralph DeRose. As a corollary to their fight over control of the party, Gasparre backed a separate slate of legislative candidates in this and other districts. Although the sixth district was heavily Republican, it was considered crucial because it centered on Cherry Hill, and Gasparre considered it his home base. To counter Gasparre's ticket, Joyce recruited Alene Ammond, a political gadfly who had run an unsuccessful campaign for Cherry Hill council in 1967 and whose proposal to reorganize the Cherry Hill government was rejected by voters in 1972.

Ammond campaigned against Jehl as a puppet of Errichetti, whom she charged with bossism and corruption; the Gasparre ticket made the same accusations of Joyce. All candidates indicated varying opposition to a static income tax; Ammond and Jehl disagreed on casino gambling, with Jehl supporting its legalization in some areas if approved by voters and Ammond outright opposing its legalization. Ammond also came out in support of a deepwater oil port, despite Ralph DeRose's vote against it.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Alene Ammond

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 4,361

| percentage = 53.07%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John P. Jehl

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 3,857

| percentage = 46.93%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 8,218

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

Although the district was considered safely Republican after the Republican majority was increased to 8,600 votes by redistricting, Ammond won an upset over Senator Miller.

{{Election box begin no change|title=6th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Alene Ammond

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 27,320

| percentage = 53.16%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John L. Miller (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 24,072

| percentage = 46.84%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 51,392

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Walter L. Smith Jr.

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 7,544

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 7,544

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Edward J. Hughes Jr. (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 6,420

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,420

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Bernardo Doganiero, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
• Edward J. Hughes Jr., incumbent Senator (Democratic)
• Walter L. Smith Jr., former Senator (Republican)

This race was a rematch of the 1971 contest between Hughes and Smith; Hughes won by an increased majority despite redistricting making the district more Republican and Smith resolving divisions within the party which had doomed him in 1971.

{{Election box begin no change|title=7th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Edward J. Hughes Jr. (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 26,863

| percentage = 57.88%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Walter L. Smith Jr.

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 19,317

| percentage = 41.62%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Bernardo S. Doganiero

| party = Socialist Labor Party (United States)

| votes = 231

| percentage = 0.50%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 46,411

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box end}}

This district consisted of rural and suburban parts of Burlington County and eastern Mercer County, as well as Allentown, Roosevelt, and Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County and Lakehurst and Manchester Township in Ocean County.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Barry T. Parker (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 8,058

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 8,058

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Salvatore DiDonato

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 5,168

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,168

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Salvatore DiDonato, Mercer County Community College administrator (Democratic)
• Barry T. Parker, incumbent Senator (Republican)

DiDonato attacked Parker for his alleged support for special interest groups, particularly those involving workers' compensation issues. Parker, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pledged "complete honesty and integrity in government."

{{Election box begin no change|title=8th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Barry T. Parker (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 23,422

| percentage = 52.82%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Salvatoro L. DiDonato

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 20,923

| percentage = 47.18%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 44,345

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

This district consisted of most of Ocean County, except for Little Egg Harbor, Tuckerton, and Manchester. It also took in Woodland Township in Burlington County and Millstone in Monmouth County. The largest towns in the district were Toms River and Lakewood.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John F. Brown

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 14,896

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 14,896

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Gaetano J. Alaimo, mayor of South Toms River{{cite news|title=Russo Wins Backing of Dover Club|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/143725637/|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|page=37|date=18 May 1973|access-date=13 Apr 2023|url-access=subscription}}
• Wesley K. Bell, mayor of Stafford Township
• Mark E. Egan, independent candidate for Freeholder in 1971
• John F. Russo, Ocean County Democratic Party chair and former Ocean County Prosecutor

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John F. Russo

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 4,259

| percentage = 61.00%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Mark E. Egan

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,295

| percentage = 18.55%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Wesley K. Bell

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,070

| percentage = 15.33%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Gaetano J. Alaimo

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 358

| percentage = 5.13%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,982

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Benjamin H. Mabie, Assemblyman from Pine Beach (Republican)
• John F. Russo, former Ocean County Prosecutor (Democratic)

Tax reform was the overriding issue in the race. Mabie and his Republican running mates opposed an income tax and advocated using state lottery revenue and the $200 million budget surplus to fund public education. This plan was predicated on passage of federal legislation absorbing state welfare costs.

{{Election box begin no change|title=9th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John F. Russo

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 38,388

| percentage = 54.53%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Benjamin H. Mabie

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 32,010

| percentage = 45.47%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 70,398

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

This Monmouth County district consisted of Wall Township and a series of shore towns: Monmouth Beach, Long Branch, Deal, Allenhurst, Loch Arbour, Interlaken, Ocean Township, Asbury Park, Neptune, Neptune City, Bradley Beach, Avon, Belmar, South Belmar, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Sea Girt, Manasquan, Brielle, Point Pleasant, and Point Pleasant Beach.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Richard R. Stout

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 10,248

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 10,248

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Herbert J. Buehler

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 5,038

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,038

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Herbert J. Buehler, Ocean Township teacher (Democratic)
• Richard R. Stout, incumbent Senator (Republican)

Buehler focused his attacks on Stout's transportation record, charging that he failed to attract state and federal grants to solve the region's railroad issues. Stout maintained that he and other Republicans had attempted to do so, but were obstructed by the bankruptcy of the Penn Central Railroad. Stout also backed Republican gubernatorial nominee Charles W. Sandman's proposal for a mass transit agency, while Buehler backed his party's candidate, Brendan Byrne, by proposing that the Port Authority should assume responsibility for electrifying the New York and Long Branch Railroad.

The district was considered a Republican stronghold; Stout had been in office for 22 years. However, Buehler hoped to benefit from the popularity of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brendan Byrne in the district.

{{Election box begin no change|title=10th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Herbert J. Buehler

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 29,819

| percentage = 55.11%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Richard R. Stout (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 24,294

| percentage = 44.89%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 54,113

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

| loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

This district was located entirely within Monmouth County. It included the municipalities of Atlantic Higlands, Colts Neck, Eatontown, Englishtown, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Freehold, Freehold Township, Hazlet Township, Highlands, Holmdel, Howell Township, Little Silver, Manalapan Township, Marlboro Township, New Shrewsbury, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Township, and West Long Branch.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Alfred N. Beadleston

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 6,845

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,845

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph Dietz

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 5,288

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,288

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Alfred N. Beadleston, incumbent Senator and President of the New Jersey Senate (Republican)
• H. Joseph Dietz, Colts Neck businessman (Democratic)

Beadleston took a low-profile approach to his campaign. Dietz, who ran an individual campaign separate from his Assembly running mates, challenged Beadleston to debates but was ignored or rejected. At one point, Dietz challenged Beadleston to a debate while Beadleston was serving as acting Governor.

Both candidates opposed a state income tax and supported cuts to welfare spending. They differed on how to reduce welfare spending, with Beadleston supporting a state takeover and Dietz supporting a federal takeover.

{{Election box begin no change|title=11th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Alfred N. Beadleston (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 27,718

| percentage = 54.05%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = H. Joseph Dietz

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 23,564

| percentage = 45.95%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 51,282

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

This district was composed of the northern Monmouth County and southeastern Middlesex County. It included the Monmouth municipalities of Red Bank, Keansburg, Union Beach, Keyport, Matawan, Middletown Township and the Middlesex municipalities of Jamesburg, Madison Township (renamed Old Bridge in 1975), and Monroe Township.

Madison, Monroe, and Middletown were the largest and most politically significant municipalities.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph Azzolina (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 4,863

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 4,863

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Eugene J. Bedell, incumbent Assemblyman

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Eugene J. Bedell

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 6,165

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,165

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Joseph Azzolina, incumbent Senator (Republican)
• Eugene Bedell, Assemblyman and labor union manager (Democratic)
• Peter P. Garibaldi, Assemblyman and public accountant (Independent)

Peter P. Garibaldi, an incumbent Republican Assemblyman, entered the race after the Middlesex Republican Party denied him their nomination.

This race featured three men who would serve in the Senate at some point: the incumbent Joseph Azzolina, the victor Eugene Bedell, and future Senator Peter P. Garibaldi. Though Garibaldi was a Republican, his campaign was expected to draw liberal Democratic voters away from Bedell.

One of the key issues in the campaign was the potential construction of a deepwater port. Azzolina was opposed to a port in the district; Bedell initially favored it before softening his stance. Bedell's Assembly running mates opposed a port until it could be deemed safe. Garibaldi received the highest score from the New Jersey Environmental Voters Alliance.

{{Election box begin no change|title=12th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Eugene J. Bedell

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 29,193

| percentage = 58.80%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph Azzolina (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 17,492

| percentage = 35.23%

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| candidate = Peter P. Garibaldi

| party = United Ind.

| votes = 2,967

| percentage = 5.98%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 49,652

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

| loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Patrick J. Wilder

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 2,668

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 2,668

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Joseph P. Merlino, incumbent Senator (District 6B)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph P. Merlino

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 7,988

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 7,988

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=13th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph P. Merlino (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 34,826

| percentage = 74.45%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Patrick J. Wilder

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 11,953

| percentage = 25.55%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 46,779

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• William Schluter, incumbent Senator (District 6A)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = William Schluter (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 9,350

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 9,350

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Anne Clark Martindell, vice chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Anne Clark Martindell

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 7,346

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 7,346

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=14th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Anne Clark Martindell

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 29,512

| percentage = 51.53%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = William Schluter (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 27,755

| percentage = 48.47%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 57,267

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Wayne Dumont Jr., incumbent Senator since 1968 (District 15)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Wayne Dumont Jr. (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 10,827

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 10,827

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Martin F. Murphy, West Milford attorney{{cite news|title=Murphy Launches State Senate Drive|location=West Milford|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/532526850|url-access=subscription|access-date=16 Apr 2023|page=8|date=24 Jul 1973|newspaper=The Paterson News}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Martin F. Murphy

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 5,883

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,883

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=15th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Wayne Dumont Jr.

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 29,861

| percentage = 54.99%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Martin F. Murphy

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 24,445

| percentage = 45.01%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 54,306

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Raymond Bateman, incumbent Senator since 1958 (District 8)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Raymond Bateman (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 11,969

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 11,969

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Herbert Koransky

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Herbert Koransky

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 3,927

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 3,927

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=16th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Raymond Bateman (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 34,153

| percentage = 63.98%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Herbert Koransky

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 19,230

| percentage = 36.02%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 53,383

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Robert K. Harlig Jr.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Robert K. Harling Jr.

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 3,239

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 3,239

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• John Lynch, incumbent Senator since 1956 (District 7)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John Lynch (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 6,133

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,133

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=17th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John Lynch (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 30,912

| percentage = 70.69%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Dominic R. Ciardi

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 12,434

| percentage = 28.44%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John Giammarco

| party = American Party (1969)

| votes = 381

| percentage = 0.87%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 43,727

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Fuller H. Brooks

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Fuller H. Brooks

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 4,149

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 4,149

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Bernard J. Dwyer, Mayor of Edison

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Bernard J. Dwyer

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 9,470

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 9,470

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=18th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Bernard J. Dwyer

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 36,606

| percentage = 63.22%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Fuller H. Brooks

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 21,301

| percentage = 36.78%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 57,907

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Matthew E. Hawke

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Matthew E. Hawke

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 1,785

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 1,785

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• John J. Fay Jr., incumbent Assemblyman

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John J. Fay Jr.

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 8,509

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 8,509

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=19th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John J. Fay Jr.

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 38,496

| percentage = 78.55%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Matthew H. Hawke

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 10,511

| percentage = 21.45%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 49,007

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Francis X. McDermott, incumbent Senator (District 9)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Francis X. McDermott (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 8,450

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 8,450

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Alexander J. Menza, incumbent Assemblyman

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Alexander Menza

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 6,654

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,654

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=20th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Alexander J. Menza

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 34,040

| percentage = 56.33%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Francis X. McDermott (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 26,084

| percentage = 43.16%

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| candidate = Oscar B. Johannsen

| party = Individualist

| votes = 305

| percentage = 0.50%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 60,429

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• William G. Palermo Jr.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = William G. Palermo Jr.

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 2,505

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 2,505

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Thomas G. Dunn, incumbent Senator

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Thomas G. Dunn

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 9,478

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 9,478

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=21st Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Thomas G. Dunn

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 26,138

| percentage = 62.72%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = William G. Palermo Jr.

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 14,396

| percentage = 34.55%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Anthony Carbone

| party = Independent (politician)

| votes = 1,137

| percentage = 2.73%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 41,671

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Jerome Epstein, incumbent Senator (District 9)
• Peter McDonough, incumbent Assemblyman

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Peter McDonough

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 7,214

| percentage = 60.37%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jerome Epstein (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 4,735

| percentage = 39.63%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 11,949

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• William Wright Jr.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = William Wright Jr.

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 5,962

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,962

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=22nd Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Peter J. McDonough

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 27,827

| percentage = 52.32%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = William Wright Jr.

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 25,361

| percentage = 47.68%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 53,188

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Josephine Margetts, incumbent Assemblywoman
• Joseph F. Warganz

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Josephine Margetts

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 9,702

| percentage = 60.37%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph F. Warganz

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 3,062

| percentage = 39.63%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 12,764

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Stephen B. Wiley, Morris Township attorney

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Stephen B. Wiley

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 6,910

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,910

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=23rd Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Stephen B. Wiley

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 27,303

| percentage = 53.06%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Josephine Margetts

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 24,157

| percentage = 46.94%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 51,460

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Peter W. Thomas, incumbent Senator (District 10)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Peter W. Thomas (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 10,550

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 10,550

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• John C. Keefe

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John C. Keefe

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 5,212

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,212

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=24th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = James P. Vreeland Jr.

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 26,004

| percentage = 52.62%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John C. Keefe

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 23,417

| percentage = 47.38%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 49,421

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• James Wallwork, incumbent Senator (District 11)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = James Wallwork (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 10,727

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 10,727

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Donald S. Coburn
• Joel Wasserman

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joel Wasserman

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 4,144

| percentage = 62.59%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Donald S. Coburn

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 2,477

| percentage = 37.41%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,621

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=25th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = James Wallwork (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 30,552

| percentage = 54.24%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joel Wasserman

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 25,778

| percentage = 45.76%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 56,330

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Salvatore Beninanti

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Salvatore Beninanti

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 3,380

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 3,380

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Frank J. Dodd, incumbent Senator (District 11)
• Joseph A. Lazaro

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Frank J. Dodd (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 14,513

| percentage = 83.63%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph A. Lazaro

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 2,841

| percentage = 16.37%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 17,354

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=26th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Frank J. Dodd (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 33,223

| percentage = 75.11%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Salvatore J. Beninati

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 11,012

| percentage = 24.89%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 44,235

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Michael A. Giuliano, incumbent Senator (District 11)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Michael A. Giuliano

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 8,565

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 8,565

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Carmen Orechio, mayor of Nutley

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Carmen Orechio

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 8,039

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 8,039

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=27th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Carmen Orechio

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 29,878

| percentage = 53.09%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Michael A. Giuliano

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 26,395

| percentage = 46.91%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 56,273

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Joseph Galluzzi

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph Galluzzi

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 3,160

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 3,160

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Martin L. Greenberg, attorney and candidate for Senator in 1971

• Ralph DeRose, incumbent Senator (District 11) (running for Governor)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Martin L. Greenberg

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 7,432

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 7,432

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=28th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Martin L. Greenberg

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 22,290

| percentage = 60.31%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph P. Galluzzi

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 13,601

| percentage = 36.80%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Chris Marciano

| party = American Party (1969)

| votes = 1,070

| percentage = 2.89%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 36,961

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Lillie Simpson

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Lillie Simpson

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 613

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 613

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator (District 11)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Wynona Lipman (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 7,360

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 7,360

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=29th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Wynona Lipman (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 16,071

| percentage = 83.84%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Lillie Simpson

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 3,098

| percentage = 16.16%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 19,169

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• C. Richard Fiore, incumbent Assemblyman from Newark

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = C. Richard Fiore

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 2,641

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 2,641

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Gregory J. Castano, Newark Star-Ledger sportswriter
• Mary V. Senatore, Belleville Commissioner

The campaign pitted the Hudson County Democratic Organization, which supported Castano, against the Essex County Organization, which supported Senatore.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Gregory J. Castano

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 9,231

| percentage = 54.01%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Mary V. Senatore

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 7,859

| percentage = 45.99%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 17,090

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=30th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change

| candidate = Anthony Imperiale

| party = For The People

| votes = 24,756

| percentage = 49.34%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Gregory J. Castano

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 18,286

| percentage = 36.45%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = C. Richard Fiore

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 7,131

| percentage = 14.21%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 50,173

| percentage =

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Franco Di Domenica
• Henry W. Kolakowski

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Henry W. Kolakowski

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 1,304

| percentage = 86.19%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Franco Di Domenica

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 209

| percentage = 13.81%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 1,513

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• James P. Dugan, incumbent Senator (District 12)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = James P. Dugan (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 14,659

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 14,659

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=31st Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = James P. Dugan (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 36,921

| percentage = 79.46%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Henry W. Kolakowski

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 9,543

| percentage = 20.54%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 46,464

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• John P. Errico

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John P. Errico

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 1,876

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 1,876

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Michael J. Bell
• Joseph W. Tumulty, Jersey City attorney

• William F. Kelly Jr., incumbent Senator (District 12) since 1958

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph W. Tumulty

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 16,691

| percentage = 67.09%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Michael J. Bell

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 8,187

| percentage = 32.91%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 24,878

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=32nd Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph W. Tumulty

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 35,770

| percentage = 74.72%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John P. Errico

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 10,955

| percentage = 22.88%

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| candidate = Robert Habermann

| party = Abolish County Govt.

| votes = 1,146

| percentage = 2.39%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 47,871

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Thomas McSherry

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Thomas McSherry

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 1,823

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 1,823

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Harry J. Leber
• William V. Musto, incumbent Senator (District 12)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = William V. Musto (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 16,156

| percentage = 66.46%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Harry J. Leber

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 8,152

| percentage = 33.54%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 24,308

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=33rd Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = William V. Musto

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 30,176

| percentage = 78.04%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Thomas McSherry

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 8,492

| percentage = 21.96%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 38,668

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Louise Friedman

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Louise Friedman

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 5,605

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,605

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Joseph Hirkala, incumbent Senator (District 14)

• William J. Bate, incumbent Senator (District 14) (ran for Assembly)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph Hirkala (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 5,605

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,605

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=34th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph Hirkala

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 33,047

| percentage = 63.88%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Louise Friedman

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 18,682

| percentage = 36.12%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 51,729

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Dominic Cuccinello
• Michael U. DeVita, former mayor of Paterson (1948–51)
• Joseph A. Lazzara, incumbent Senator (District 14)
• Roy Leon Ward

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph A. Lazzara (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 4,211

| percentage = 56.39%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Michael U. DeVita

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 2,643

| percentage = 35.39%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Dominic Cuccinello

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 358

| percentage = 4.79%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Roy Leon Ward

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 256

| percentage = 3.43%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 7,468

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Frank Davenport, Passaic County Sheriff

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Frank Davenport

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 3,272

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 3,272

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=35th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Frank Davenport

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 16,919

| percentage = 50.14%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph A. Lazzara (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 16,826

| percentage = 49.86%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 33,745

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Harold A. Pareti

• Harold Hollenbeck

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Anthony Scardino Jr.

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 6,279

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,279

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Anthony Scardino, mayor of Lyndhurst

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Anthony Scardino

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 5,695

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,695

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=36th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Anthony Scardino

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 35,953

| percentage = 62.01%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Harold A. Pareti

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 21,332

| percentage = 36.79%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Kenneth Kowalczyk

| party = Socialist Labor Party (US)

| votes = 698

| percentage = 1.20%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 57,983

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Joseph Woodcock, incumbent Senator (District 13)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph Woodcock (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 6,572

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,572

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Matthew Feldman, Bergen County Democratic chairman and former Senator

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Matthew Feldman

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 9,320

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 9,320

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=37th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Matthew Feldman

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 36,690

| percentage = 58.62%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph Woodcock (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 25,524

| percentage = 40.78%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Armand Milletari

| party = Socialist Labor Party (US)

| votes = 373

| percentage = 0.60%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 62,587

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Frederick E. Wendel, incumbent Senator (District 13)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Frederick Wendel (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 6,554

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,554

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• John Skevin, former Assemblyman (1966–68)
• Joseph Ventricelli

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John Skevin

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 4,808

| percentage = 81.07%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph Ventricelli

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,123

| percentage = 18.93%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 5,931

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=38th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John M. Skevin

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 31,677

| percentage = 57.61%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Frederick E. Wendel

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 23,307

| percentage = 42.39%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 54,984

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Harry Randall Jr.

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Harry Randall Jr.

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 6,474

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,474

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Raymond Garramone, mayor of Haworth

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Raymond Garramone

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 4,937

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 4,937

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=39th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Raymond Garramone

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 31,999

| percentage = 54.29%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Harry Randall Jr.

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 26,942

| percentage = 45.71%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 58,941

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Garrett W. Hagedorn, incumbent Senator (District 13)

{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Garrett W. Hagedorn (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 9,324

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 9,324

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

• Paul Z. Lewis

{{Election box begin no change|title=Democratic primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Z. Lewis

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 6,811

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 6,811

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=40th Legislative District}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Garrett W. Hagedorn

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 32,566

| percentage = 56.19%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Robert A. Pennachio

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 25,394

| percentage = 43.81%

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 57,960

| percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

Democrats chose Frank J. Dodd as the Senate President and Matthew Feldman as Majority Leader; Republicans named the outgoing Senate President, Alfred Beadleston as Minority Leader.{{cite book|title=Fitzgerald's New Jersey Legislative Manual|date=1974|publisher=Joseph J. Gribbons}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{1973 United States elections}}

Category:1973 New Jersey elections

New Jersey

1973