# 1983 New Jersey Senate election

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The 1983 New Jersey Senate election was held on November 8.
The election took place mid-way through the first term of Governor Thomas Kean. Democrats gained a net of two seats.

## Incumbents not running for re-election
### Democratic

* Herman T. Costello (District 7)
* Frank E. Rodgers (District 32)
* Nicholas LaRocca (District 33) (ran for Assembly)

## Summary of results by State Senate district

| District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party |
| 1st Legislative District | James R. Hurley | Rep | James R. Hurley | Rep |
| 2nd Legislative District | William Gormley | Rep | William Gormley | Rep |
| 3rd Legislative District | Raymond Zane | Dem | Raymond Zane | Dem |
| 4th Legislative District | Daniel Dalton | Dem | Daniel Dalton | Dem |
| 5th Legislative District | Walter Rand | Dem | Walter Rand | Dem |
| 6th Legislative District | Lee Laskin | Rep | Lee Laskin | Rep |
| 7th Legislative District | Herman T. Costello | Dem | Catherine A. Costa | Dem |
| 8th Legislative District | Jim Saxton | Rep | Jim Saxton | Rep |
| 9th Legislative District | Leonard T. Connors | Rep | Leonard T. Connors | Rep |
| 10th Legislative District | John F. Russo | Dem | John F. Russo | Dem |
| 11th Legislative District | Brian T. Kennedy | Rep | Frank Pallone | Dem |
| 12th Legislative District | S. Thomas Gagliano | Rep | S. Thomas Gagliano | Rep |
| 13th Legislative District | John P. Gallagher | Rep | Richard Van Wagner | Dem |
| 14th Legislative District | Francis J. McManimon | Dem | Francis J. McManimon | Dem |
| 15th Legislative District | Gerald R. Stockman | Dem | Gerald R. Stockman | Dem |
| 16th Legislative District | John H. Ewing | Rep | John H. Ewing | Rep |
| 17th Legislative District | John A. Lynch Jr. | Dem | John A. Lynch Jr. | Dem |
| 18th Legislative District | James Bornheimer | Dem | Peter P. Garibaldi | Rep |
| 19th Legislative District | Laurence Weiss | Dem | Laurence Weiss | Dem |
| 20th Legislative District | Raymond Lesniak | Dem | Raymond Lesniak | Dem |
| 21st Legislative District | C. Louis Bassano | Rep | C. Louis Bassano | Rep |
| 22nd Legislative District | Donald DiFrancesco | Rep | Donald DiFrancesco | Rep |
| 23rd Legislative District | Walter E. Foran | Rep | Walter E. Foran | Rep |
| 24th Legislative District | Wayne Dumont | Rep | Wayne Dumont | Rep |
| 25th Legislative District | John H. Dorsey | Rep | John H. Dorsey | Rep |
| 26th Legislative District | James P. Vreeland | Rep | Leanna Brown | Rep |
| 27th Legislative District | Richard Codey | Dem | Richard Codey | Dem |
| 28th Legislative District | John P. Caufield | Dem | John P. Caufield | Dem |
| 29th Legislative District | Wynona Lipman | Dem | Wynona Lipman | Dem |
| 30th Legislative District | Carmen Orechio | Dem | Carmen Orechio | Dem |
| 31st Legislative District | Edward T. O'Connor Jr. | Dem | Edward T. O'Connor Jr. | Dem |
| 32nd Legislative District | Frank E. Rodgers | Dem | Thomas F. Cowan | Dem |
| 33rd Legislative District | Nicholas LaRocca | Dem | Christopher Jackman | Dem |
| 34th Legislative District | Joseph Bubba | Rep | Joseph Bubba | Rep |
| 35th Legislative District | Frank X. Graves Jr. | Dem | Frank X. Graves Jr. | Dem |
| 36th Legislative District | Joseph Hirkala | Dem | Joseph Hirkala | Dem |
| 37th Legislative District | Matthew Feldman | Dem | Matthew Feldman | Dem |
| 38th Legislative District | John Paolella | Rep | Paul Contillo | Dem |
| 39th Legislative District | Gerald Cardinale | Rep | Gerald Cardinale | Rep |
| 40th Legislative District | Garrett Hagedorn | Rep | Garrett Hagedorn | Rep |
* ↑ Gormley won a September 1982 special election to complete the unexpired term of Senator Steven P. Perskie, who resigned to become a judge of the New Jersey Superior Court.

### Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
* District 21, 1.0%
* District 18, 1.2%
* District 38, 1.4%
* District 12, 1.8%
* District 11, 1.9%
* District 34, 2.0%
* District 39, 2.4%
* District 13, 8.2%
* District 30, 9.6%

## District 1
### General election
#### Candidates

* James R. Hurley, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
* Christopher H. Riley (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | James R. Hurley (incumbent) | 30,141 | 59.8% | 6.0 |
| | Democratic | Christopher H. Riley | 20,232 | 40.2% | 6.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 50,373 | 100.00% | |

## District 2
### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Arlene Groch, lawyer

##### Declined

* Steven P. Perskie, former Senator (accepted Superior Court judgeship)

### General election
#### Candidates

* William Gormley, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
* Arlene Groch, lawyer (Democratic)
* James T. Hagen (Senate Independent)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | William Gormley (incumbent) | 27,616 | 56.8% | 15.5 |
| | Democratic | Arlene Groch | 19,937 | 41.0% | 16.0 |
| | Independent politician | James T. Hagen | 1,062 | 2.2% | 1.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,615 | 100.00% | |

## District 3
### General election
#### Candidates

* Mary Ruth Talley (Republican)
* Raymond Zane, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Raymond Zane (incumbent) | 30,179 | 63.0% | 0.2 |
| | Republican | Mary Ruth Talley | 17,743 | 37.0% | 0.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,922 | 100.00% | |

## District 4
### General election
#### Candidates

* Daniel Dalton, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)
* Christopher Michaele (Republican)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Daniel Dalton (incumbent) | 21,891 | 63.9% | 0.6 |
| | Republican | Christopher Michaele | 12,379 | 36.1% | 0.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 34,270 | 100.00% | |

## District 5
### General election
#### Candidates

* Gregory B. Montgomery (Democratic)
* Walter Rand, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Walter Rand (incumbent) | 23,446 | 66.0% | 6.0 |
| | Republican | Gregory B. Montgomery | 12,090 | 34.0% | 6.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,536 | 100.00% | |

## District 6
### General election
#### Candidates

* Lee B. Laskin, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
* Francis J. Ward (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Lee B. Laskin (incumbent) | 29,783 | 63.3% | 6.6 |
| | Democratic | Francis J. Ward | 17,235 | 36.7% | 6.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,018 | 100.00% | |

## District 7
### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Catherine A. Costa, Assemblywoman from Willingboro and Burlington County Freeholder
* Barbara Kalik, Assemblywoman from Willingboro

#### Campaign

The race between Costa and Kalik, both Assemblywomen from Willingboro, was expected to be among the most competitive in the state. Though Kalik, who had served since 1977, was better known in Trenton, Costa also served as a Freeholder and was the top vote-getter on the 1981 ticket.

### General election
#### Candidates

* Catherine A. Costa, Assemblywoman from Willingboro and Burlington County Freeholder (Democratic)
* Henry W. Metzger (Republican)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Catherine A. Costa | 26,697 | 63.1% | 6.0 |
| | Republican | Henry W. Metzger | 15,616 | 36.9% | 6.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 42,313 | 100.00% | |

## District 8
### General election
#### Candidates

* Charles H. Ryan (Democratic)
* Jim Saxton, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Jim Saxton (incumbent) | 22,714 | 63.1% | 2.6 |
| | Democratic | Charles H. Ryan | 13,303 | 36.9% | 2.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,017 | 100.00% | |

## District 9
### General election
#### Candidates

* Leonard T. Connors, incumbent Senator since 1982 and mayor of Surf City (Republican)
* Anthony M. Sellitto Jr. (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Leonard T. Connors (incumbent) | 31,028 | 63.3 | 1.1 |
| | Democratic | Anthony M. Sellitto, Jr. | 17,989 | 36.7 | 1.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 49,017 | 100.00% | |

## District 10
### General election
#### Candidates

* Bob Fall (Republican)
* John F. Russo, incumbent Senator since 1974 (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John F. Russo (incumbent) | 31,807 | 63.3 | 4.7 |
| | Republican | Bob Fall | 18,413 | 36.7 | 4.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 50,220 | 100.00% | |

## District 11
### General election
#### Candidates

* Brian T. Kennedy, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
* Frank Pallone, member of the Long Branch City Council (Democratic)
* Edgar Van Houten (Bull Moose)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Frank Pallone | 24,339 | 50.4% | 9.3 |
| | Republican | Brian T. Kennedy (incumbent) | 23,412 | 48.5% | 9.3 |
| | Bull Moose | Edgar Van Houten | 508 | 1.1% | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,259 | 100.00% | |

## District 12
### General election
#### Candidates

* S. Thomas Gagliano, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
* Alexander D. Lehrer, Monmouth County Prosecutor (Democratic)

##### Withdrew

* Robert Morgan, doctor (Democratic)

#### Campaign

Robert Morgan, the original Democratic nominee, withdrew from the race, citing the pressure of his medical practice.
County Prosecutor Alexander Lehrer, the most prominent public official in the county, was initially reluctant to run, worrying that a political campaign had little chance of success and could imperil his ambitions for the state judiciary. Party chair John Fiorino and U.S. Representative James J. Howard recruited him into the race through a draft movement; their support would also be critical to any judicial appointment.
Gagliano denied reports that he had implied Lehrer's campaign would threaten his confirmation to the judiciary in the Senate.

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | S. Thomas Gagliano (incumbent) | 24,294 | 50.9% | 8.2 |
| | Democratic | Alexander D. Lehrer | 23,414 | 49.1% | 8.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,708 | 100.00% | |

## District 13
### General election
#### Candidates

* John P. Gallagher, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
* Richard Van Wagner, Assemblyman from Middletown Township (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Richard Van Wagner | 26,522 | 54.1% | 5.7 |
| | Republican | John P. Gallagher (incumbent) | 22,508 | 45.9% | 5.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 49,030 | 100.00% | |

## District 14
### General election
#### Candidates

* Charles B. W. Durand, former mayor of Franklin Township (Republican)
* Francis J. McManimon, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Francis J. McManimon (incumbent) | 30,376 | 63.5% | 5.8 |
| | Republican | Charles B. W. Durand | 17,448 | 36.5% | 5.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,824 | 100.00% | |

## District 15
### General election
#### Candidates

* Robert A. Gladstone (Republican)
* Gerald R. Stockman, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Gerald R. Stockman (incumbent) | 29,967 | 67.3% | 10.9 |
| | Republican | Robert A. Gladstone | 14,543 | 32.7% | 10.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 44,510 | 100.00% | |

## District 16
### General election
#### Candidates

* John H. Ewing, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
* Alfred A. Wicklund (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | John H. Ewing (incumbent) | 27,383 | 67.4% | 1.9 |
| | Democratic | Alfred A. Wicklund | 13,242 | 32.6% | 1.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,625 | 100.00% | |

## District 17
### General election
#### Candidates

* John A. Lynch Jr., incumbent Senator since 1982 and mayor of New Brunswick (Democratic)
* Frank A. Santoro (Republican)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John A. Lynch Jr. (incumbent) | 19,703 | 65.3% | 4.7 |
| | Republican | Frank A. Santoro | 10,449 | 34.7% | 1.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,152 | 100.00% | |

## District 18
### General election
#### Candidates

* James Bornheimer, incumbent Senator since 1982
* Peter P. Garibaldi, former Assemblyman and mayor of Monroe Township (Republican)
* Robert S. Maurer, Edison resident (Independent)

#### Campaign

Garibaldi stressed the issue of auto insurance premiums, which he said remained unsatisfactorily high despite recent legislation to slow rate increases. He also cited his opposition to property revaluation programs in several towns, including Monroe and East Brunswick, which shifted local property tax burdens from commercial to residential property owners. Garibaldi said he had gone to court to stop the Monroe revaluation over disagreements with the group hired to conduct the survey.

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Peter P. Garibaldi | 24,397 | 47.9% | 0.0 |
| | Democratic | James W. Bornheimer (incumbent) | 23,814 | 46.7% | 5.4 |
| | Independent | Robert S. Maurer | 2,769 | 5.4% | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 50,980 | 100.00% | |

## District 19
### General election
#### Candidates

* James W. Inman (Republican)
* Laurence S. Weiss, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Laurence S. Weiss (incumbent) | 28,251 | 59.0 | 1.4 |
| | Republican | James W. Inman | 19,603 | 41.0 | 1.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,854 | 100.00% | |

## District 20
### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* John Brady, Elizabeth resident
* Rocco Gallo, Elizabeth resident
* Joseph M. Hartnett, Rahway resident
* Raymond Lesniak, Assemblyman from Elizabeth

#### Results

Alongside the primary election, Lesniak won a special election to complete the unexpired term of John T. Gregorio, who had been convicted of conspiring to conceal his ownership of two Linden taverns.

### General election
#### Candidates

* Raymond Lesniak, incumbent Senator since June 1983 (Democratic)
* Rose Zeidwerg Monyek, Rahway resident (Inflation Fighting Housewife)
* Alfred D. Palermo, Linden Republican chairman and real estate businessman (Republican)
* Joseph P. Scanlon (Beam the Bomb)
* Harold J. Young, Rahway resident (Independent)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Raymond Lesniak (incumbent) | 23,246 | 64.5% | 0.6 |
| | Republican | Alfred D. Palermo | 11,868 | 32.9% | 5.4 |
| | Inflation Fighting Housewife | Rose Zeidwerg Monyek | 389 | 1.1% | 2.4 |
| | Beam the Bomb | Joseph P. Scanlon | 305 | 0.8% | N/A |
| | Independent | Harold J. Young | 217 | 0.6% | 3.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,025 | 100.00% | |

## District 21
### General election
#### Candidates

* C. Louis Bassano, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
* Anthony E. Russo, former Senator (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | C. Louis Bassano (incumbent) | 29,300 | 50.5% | 1.4 |
| | Democratic | Anthony E. Russo | 28,734 | 49.5% | 1.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 58,034 | 100.00% | |

## District 22
### General election
#### Candidates

* Donald DiFrancesco, incumbent Senator since 1979 (Republican)
* Thomas M. McCormack (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Donald DiFrancesco (incumbent) | 29,005 | 66.6% | 1.3 |
| | Democratic | Thomas M. McCormack | 14,576 | 33.4% | 1.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,581 | 100.00% | |

## District 23
### General election
#### Candidates

* Walter E. Foran, incumbent Senator since 1977 (Republican)
* William Martin Jr. (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Walter E. Foran (incumbent) | 27,224 | 69.2% | 5.9 |
| | Democratic | William Martin, Jr. | 12,101 | 30.8% | 5.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 39,325 | 100.00% | |

## District 24
### General election
#### Candidates

* Wayne Dumont, incumbent Senator since 1968 (Republican)
* Clarence W. Sickles (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Wayne Dumont (incumbent) | 29,279 | 75.6% | 1.8 |
| | Democratic | Clarence W. Sickles | 9,431 | 24.4% | 1.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 38,710 | 100.00% | |

## District 25
### General election
#### Candidates

* John H. Dorsey, incumbent Senator since 1978 (Republican)
* Allen Hantman (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | John H. Dorsey (incumbent) | 25,529 | 65.4% | 2.6 |
| | Democratic | Allen Hantman | 13,524 | 34.6% | 2.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 39,053 | 100.0 | |

## District 26
### Republican primary
#### Campaign

* Leanna Brown, Assemblywoman from Chatham Township
* James P. Vreeland, incumbent Senator since 1974

#### Campaign

Brown announced her campaign in March, claiming that she was running on economic issues rather than in opposition to Vreeland, who had been her running mate since 1980. The seat had been expected to go to Assemblyman Dean Gallo of Parsippany on Vreeland's retirement. Brown called for "new ideas", a veiled jab at the 73-year old Vreeland. Her campaign out-raised and out-advertised Vreeland.

### General election
#### Candidates

* Leanna Brown, Assemblywoman from Chatham Township (Republican)
* Anthony Calvino (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Leanna Brown | 24,348 | 68.2% | 1.7 |
| | Democratic | Anthony Calvino | 11,342 | 31.8% | 1.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,690 | 100.00% | |

## District 27
### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Alan Bowser, East Orange resident
* Richard Codey, incumbent Senator since 1982
* Russell Fox, East Orange resident
* Joel Shain, mayor of Orange
* Thelma I. Tyree, East Orange resident

#### Campaign

In the primary, each candidate accused the other of conflicts of interest. Shain charged that Codey sponsored multiple bills relating to the insurance industry while earning money as a consultant from insurance companies. Codey charged that Shain earned large dividends from stock in a cable television company which was awarded a franchise to operate in Orange. Shain had abstained from voting on the contract and sold his shares before the primary election.
Shain spent close to $250,000 on radio commercials and telephone banking, while Codey spent over $115,000, setting a record for campaign spending.

### General election
#### Candidates

* James J. Brown (Democratic)
* Richard Codey, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Richard Codey (incumbent) | 18,943 | 75.2% | 1.3 |
| | Republican | James J. Brown | 6,255 | 24.8% | 1.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,198 | 100.00% | |

## District 28
### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Anthony Carrino, Newark City Councilman
* John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 and Newark Fire Director

#### Campaign

Carrino challenged Caufield, who had served two terms and was a close ally of Newark mayor Kenneth A. Gibson. During the prior legislative session, Caufield had blocked a bill supported by the city council that would have reformed school board elections in Newark. The contest was framed as a struggle between the mayor and the city council for power.

### General election
#### Candidates

* John P. Caufield, incumbent Senator since 1979 and Newark Fire Director (Democratic)
* Joseph N. Mastrangelo (Republican)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John P. Caufield (incumbent) | 11,829 | 72.9% | 2.1 |
| | Republican | Joseph N. Mastrangelo | 4,392 | 27.1% | 2.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,221 | 100.00% | |

## District 29
### General election
#### Candidates

* Willie M. Brascher (Republican)
* Wynona Lipman, incumbent Senator since 1972 (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Wynona Lipman (incumbent) | 12,906 | 85.5 | 2.8 |
| | Republican | Willie M. Brascher | 2,182 | 14.5 | 2.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,088 | 100.00% | |

## District 30
### General election
#### Candidates

* Carmen A. Orechio, incumbent Senator since 1974, President of the New Jersey Senate, and mayor of Nutley (Democratic)
* Ralph J. Salerno, Bloomfield lawyer (Republican)
* Martin G. Scaturo, former Essex County Freeholder (Regular Organization)

#### Campaign

The 30th district in suburban Essex County was among the most highly contested in the state, due to Orechio's position as President of the New Jersey Senate and the most powerful Democrat in Trenton. Governor Thomas Kean, a native of Essex, had carried the district by more than 3,000 votes in 1981, while Orechio was re-elected by slightly more than 1,000. Orechio, who was also the mayor of Nutley, hoped that the increased attention on the Senate race in an off-year and a special election for Nutley council would boost his vote.
Salerno, a first-time candidate for office, campaigned on a strong anti-crime position including tougher prison sentences, support of the Governor's proposed infrastructure bank, and opposition to the Mount Laurel doctrine of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Though he now lived in Bloomfield, he stressed his working class roots in Belleville. Down the stretch, the Republican campaign turned negative, attacking Orechio in personal terms while trying to establish Salerno's credentials for office. Among the issues cited was Orechio's control of the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission, which his brother Carl, a former Republican Assemblyman, chaired at a salary of $6,000 per year. Another Orechio brother, Frank, received a $54,000 salary as program director for the Wanaque South Water Project. Orechio called the attacks on his brothers "sleazy" and disclaimed any role in their work, noting that appointments were made by the Governor. (The appointments were also confirmed by the Senate.) He refused to appear on a campaign platform with Salerno until he received an apology.
Salerno spent over $110,000 by late October, while Orechio spent over $87,000. Former Democratic Freeholder Martin G. Scaturo ran in the race as an independent candidate.

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Carmen A. Orechio (incumbent) | 28,613 | 53.8% | 4.4 |
| | Republican | Ralph J. Salerno | 23,523 | 44.2% | 3.5 |
| | Regular Organization | Martin G. Scaturo | 1,061 | 2.0% | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 53,197 | 100.00% | |
Reacting to the results, Orechio said, "They had the money, the big money. But we had the people, and that's what really counted."

## District 31
### General election
#### Candidates

* Helen Kozak (Republican)
* Edward T. O'Connor Jr., incumbent Senator since 1982 (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Edward T. O'Connor Jr. (incumbent) | 23,894 | 80.7% | 5.3 |
| | Republican | Helen Kozak | 5,698 | 19.3% | 5.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,592 | 100.00% | |

## District 32
### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Thomas F. Cowan, Assemblyman from Jersey City
* Anthony R. Cucci, former Jersey City councilman

#### Campaign

The three Hudson County district primaries were part of a struggle for power between Jersey City mayor Gerald McCann and former mayor Thomas F. X. Smith, who ran for Hudson County Executive against incumbent Edward F. Clark.
Cowan was backed by McCann, replacing incumbent Francis E. Rodgers on his slate. Cucci was backed by Smith.
Late in the campaign, Cucci was endorsed by U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, whom he had supported in 1982.

### General election
#### Candidates

* Thomas F. Cowan, Assemblyman from Jersey City (Democratic)
* Joseph A. Plonski (Republican)
* Herbert H. Shaw, perennial candidate from North Bergen (Politicians Are Crooks)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Thomas F. Cowan | 23,510 | 63.8% | 0.4 |
| | Republican | Joseph A. Plonski | 11,997 | 32.6% | 1.8 |
| | Politicians Are Crooks | Herbert H. Shaw | 1,318 | 3.6 | 1.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,825 | 100.00% | |

## District 33
### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Christopher Jackman, Speaker of the General Assembly from West New York
* Joseph Simunovich, Hudson County Freeholder from West New York

#### Campaign

The three Hudson County district primaries were part of a struggle for power between Jersey City mayor Gerald McCann and former mayor Thomas F. X. Smith, who ran for Hudson County Executive against incumbent Edward F. Clark.
Jackman was backed by Smith, while Simunovich was backed by McCann. The race was considered "a tight one" by The New York Times.
Late in the campaign, Jackman was endorsed by U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, whom he had supported in 1982.

### General election
#### Candidates

* Christopher Jackman, Speaker of the General Assembly from West New York (Democratic)
* Carlos E. Munoz, candidate for General Assembly in 1981 (Republican)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Christopher Jackman | 18,916 | 66.5% | 15.7 |
| | Republican | Carlos E. Munoz | 9,532 | 33.5% | 15.7 (23.4) |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,448 | 100.00% | |

## District 34
### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Joseph Bubba, incumbent Senator since 1982
* S.M. Terry LaCorte, Assemblyman from Clifton

#### Campaign

Given the Democratic lean of the district and a potential match-up with James W. Roe, Republican leaders feared a lingering split in the party could lead to a loss in November.

### General election
#### Candidates

* Joseph Bubba, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
* James W. Roe, Passaic County Freeholder and brother of U.S. Representative Robert A. Roe (Democratic)

#### Campaign

Bubba campaigned on a claim that he had single-handedly blocked efforts by Governor Kean for a 5-cent per gallon gas tax in 1982. Despite this, Kean supported his campaign.
Roe was likewise critical of his own party, referring to the "foot-dragging Legislature" and criticizing the slow pace of legislative negotiations on automobile insurance. He avoided criticism of Kean, who remained popular in the district.

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Joseph Bubba (incumbent) | 23,993 | 51.0% | 1.7 |
| | Democratic | James W. Roe | 23,019 | 49.0% | 1.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,012 | 100.00% | |

## District 35
### General election
#### Candidates

* Richard Fontanella (Republican)
* Frank X. Graves Jr., incumbent Senator since 1978 and mayor of Paterson (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Frank X. Graves Jr. (incumbent) | 23,646 | 74.3% | 0.3 |
| | Republican | Richard Fontanella | 8,161 | 25.7% | 0.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,807 | 100.00% | |

## District 36
### General election
#### Candidates

* Joseph Hirkala, incumbent Senator since 1972 and Passaic City Clerk (Democratic)
* Joseph F. Job, former Bergen County Sheriff (Republican)

#### Campaign

Both candidates had switched parties in the past. Job, who had been a Republican in the 1960s, had spent the last decade as a member of the Democratic Party and served as the campaign manager for the Democratic Assembly ticket in 1981. As a result, he stayed out of the Assembly race, claiming that voters "[were] fortunate in having four good men to choose from." In radio commercials, Hirkala highlighted Job's penchant for switching parties.
With party loyalties blurred, the campaign turned bitterly personal, despite the friendship between the two candidates. Job referred to Hirkala as a "do-nothing" clerk, and Hirkala charged that Job had failed to prevent prison escapes and drug use by inmates as Bergen County Sheriff.
Hirkala planned to raise and spend $45,000, most of it from the New Jersey State Democratic Committee. Both candidates utilized radio commercials.

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Joseph Hirkala (incumbent) | 28,325 | 58.3% | 2.9 |
| | Republican | Joseph F. Job | 20,222 | 41.7% | 0.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,547 | 100.00% | |

## District 37
### General election
#### Candidates

* Matthew Feldman, incumbent Senator since 1974 and former Senate President (Democratic)
* Michael L. Kingman (Republican)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Matthew Feldman (incumbent) | 32,645 | 64.3% | 2.6 |
| | Republican | Michael L. Kingman | 18,143 | 35.7% | 2.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 50,788 | 100.00% | |

## District 38
### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Paul Contillo, former Assemblyman from Paramus
* John Skevin, former Senator from Hackensack

### General election
#### Candidates

* Paul Contillo, former Assemblyman from Paramus (Democratic)
* John B. Paolella, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Paul Contillo | 22,422 | 50.7% | 4.2 |
| | Republican | John B. Paolella (incumbent) | 21,827 | 49.3% | 1.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 44,249 | 100.00% | |

## District 39
### General election
#### Candidates

* Gerald Cardinale, incumbent Senator since 1982 (Republican)
* Francis Herbert, former Senator from Waldwick (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Gerald Cardinale (incumbent) | 27,199 | 51.2% | 7.0 |
| | Democratic | Francis Herbert | 25,942 | 48.8% | 7.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 53,141 | 100.0 | |

## District 40
### General election
#### Candidates

* Garrett W. Hagedorn, incumbent Senator since 1968 (Republican)
* Charles F. Ryan (Democratic)

#### Results

1983 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Garrett W. Hagedorn (incumbent) | 28,755 | 65.5% | 1.3 |
| | Democratic | Charles F. Ryan | 15,152 | 34.5% | 1.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,907 | 100.00% | |