2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey


The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey were held on November 6, 2018, to elect the 12 U.S. representatives from the state of New Jersey, one from each of the state's 12 congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.
Democrats won four seats from Republicans and changed control from 7–5 for Democrats to 11–1 for Democrats, the fewest seats Republicans had won in the state since 1912. This was the first time since the 1912 elections that Republicans failed to hold any seat in North Jersey.
However, Representative Jeff Van Drew of the 2nd district would later change his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican in December 2019, bringing it down to 10–2.

Overview

Statewide

By district

Results of the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey by district:

District 1

The 1st district is based in South Jersey and includes most of Camden County along with parts of Burlington County and Gloucester County. Incumbent Democrat Donald Norcross, who had represented the district since 2014, ran for reelection. He was reelected with 60% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+13.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Donald Norcross, incumbent U.S. Representative
    Eliminated in primary
  • Robert Lee Carlson
  • Scot John Tomaszewski

    Results

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Paul Dilks

    Results

General election

Predictions

Endorsements

Results

By county

District 2

The 2nd district is based in South Jersey and is the biggest Congressional District in the state. It includes all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem Counties and parts of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Ocean counties. Incumbent Republican Frank LoBiondo, who had represented the district since 1995, announced in November 2017 that he would not run for re-election in 2018 making the 2nd an open seat. He was re-elected with 59% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+1.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Seth Grossman, attorney, former Atlantic County Freeholder and candidate for governor in 2013
    Eliminated in primary
  • Sam Fiocchi, former state assembly member
  • Hirsh Singh, aerospace engineer and candidate for governor in 2017
  • Robert Turkavage, former FBI agent and independent candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012
    Withdrawn
  • Brian T. Fitzherbert, defense contractor, project manager, engineer
  • Mark McGovern, activist
  • James Toto, Somers Point City Council member
  • John Zarych, attorney
    Declined
  • Chris A. Brown, state senator
  • Don Guardian, former Mayor of Atlantic City
  • Frank LoBiondo, incumbent U.S. Representative
  • Vincent J. Polistina, former state assembly member
  • Mike Torrissi, Hammonton Town Council member

    Endorsements

Results

Democratic primary

This was one of 80 Republican-held House districts targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.

Candidates

Nominee
  • Jeff Van Drew, state senator
    Eliminated in primary
  • William Cunningham, former aide to U.S. Senator Cory Booker
  • Nathan Kleinman, farmer and activist
  • Tanzie Youngblood, retired teacher
    Withdrawn
  • Sean Thom, school administrator

    Endorsements

Results

General election

Campaign

A month after the primaries, the National Republican Congressional Committee withdrew its support of Grossman, following the news that he had posted an article from the white nationalist website American Renaissance on his Facebook page stating that blacks represented "a threat to all who cross their paths, black and non-black alike." Grossman responded that he had not carefully read the article that he had posted in 2014 and did not believe its racist sentiments, although in explaining his actions he said many black teenagers are violent and dangerous. Grossman also posted comments that criticized "multi-culturalism" and "diversity".

Endorsements

Polling

Poll sourceDate
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Generic
Republican 		Jeff
Van Drew 		OtherUndecided
DCCC February 12–13, 2018––39%51%––

Poll sourceDate
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Republican
candidate		Democratic
candidate		OtherUndecided
Public Policy Polling November 8–10, 2017565± 4.1%39%44%–17%

Predictions

Results

By county

District 3

The 3rd district is based in South Jersey and includes parts of Burlington and Ocean counties. Incumbent Republican Tom MacArthur, who had represented the district since 2015, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 59% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+2.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Tom MacArthur, incumbent U.S. Representative

    Results

Democratic primary

This was one of 80 Republican-held House districts targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2018.

Candidates

Nominee

General election

Endorsements

Debate

Polling

Predictions

Results

The close result required a recount, with Kim ultimately winning by 3,973 votes.

By county

District 4

The 4th district is based in Central Jersey and includes parts of Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties. Incumbent Republican Chris Smith, who had represented the district since 1981, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 64% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+8.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Chris Smith, incumbent U.S. Representative

    Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Joshua Welle, Navy veteran
    Eliminated in primary
  • Jim Keady, former Asbury Park Council member and candidate for the 3rd district in 2016
    Withdrawn
  • Mike Keeling, music teacher
    Declined
  • Kelly Stewart Maer, party operative

    Endorsements

Results

General election

Endorsements

Predictions

Results

Smith's showing of 55% was his lowest since 1982, when he defeated Joseph P. Merlino 53% to 47%.

By county

District 5

The 5th district is based in North Jersey and includes parts of Bergen, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties. Incumbent Democrat Josh Gottheimer, who had represented the district since 2017, ran for re-election. He was elected with 51% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of R+3.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Josh Gottheimer, incumbent U.S. Representative

    Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

General election

Endorsements

Polling

Predictions

Results

By county

District 6

The 6th district is based in Central Jersey and includes parts of Middlesex and Monmouth counties. Incumbent Democrat Frank Pallone, who had represented the district since 1988, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 64% of the vote in 2016. The district had a PVI of D+9.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Frank Pallone, incumbent U.S. Representative
    Eliminated in primary
  • Javahn Walker

    Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Richard Pezzullo, businessman and candidate for Senate in 2014

    Results

General election

Predictions