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The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 to elect the 12 U.S. Representatives from the state of New Jersey, a loss of one seat following the 2010 United States Census. The elections will coincide with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate.
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Redistricting in New Jersey is the responsibility of the New Jersey Redistricting Commission, comprising six Democrats and six Republicans. If a majority of the 12 cannot reach an agreement, a neutral 13th person serves as a mediator or tie-breaker.[1] On December 23, 2011, the Commission voted 7–6 for a map supported by Republicans.[2]
Democrat Rob Andrews, who has represented New Jersey's 1st congressional district since 1990, is expected to seek re-election. In redistricting, Cherry Hill Township was added to the 1st district, while Riverton, New Jersey and parts of East Greenwich Township and Mantua Township were removed from the district.[3]
Republican Frank LoBiondo, who has represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional district since 1995, is expected to seek re-election. In redistricting, Barnegat Light, Bass River Township, Beach Haven, Eagleswood Township, Harvey Cedars, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom, Stafford Township, Surf City, Tuckerton, Washington Township and part of Mantua Township were added to the district.[3]
Mike Assad, a member of the Absecon Board of Education, will challenge LoBiondo in the Republican primary.[4]
Republican John Runyan, who has represented New Jersey's 3rd congressional district since January 2011, is expected to seek re-election. In redistricting, the 3rd district was made more favorable to Republicans. Parts of Burlington County, including Riverton and Shamong Township, and Brick Township and Mantoloking in Ocean County were added to the district, while Cherry Hill and Bass River were removed.[5] Justin Murphy, a former member of the Tabernacle Township Committee and unsuccessful Republican primary candidate for the seat in 2010, will not run.[6]
Thomas Sacks-Wilner, a medical doctor, may seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Runyan.[7] Former U.S. Representative John Adler, who represented the 3rd district from 2009 until 2011 but lost re-election in 2010, had planned to run again; however, Adler died in April 2011.[5] Democrats had hoped that Shelley Adler, an attorney and the widow of the former congressman, would seek the Democratic nomination; however redistricting resulted in her no longer living in the 3rd district.[8]
Republican Chris Smith has represented New Jersey's 4th congressional district since 1981. In redistricting, parts of Burlington County were removed from the district.[5]
Republican Scott Garrett, who has represented New Jersey's 5th congressional district since 2003, is expected to seek re-election.[2] Terry Duffy, the director of the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, has formed an exploratory committee to seek the Democratic nomination. Harry Carson, a former linebacker for the New York Giants; state senator Bob Gordon; and state assemblywoman Connie Wagner, may also seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Garrett.[9] Steve Rothman, a Democrat who has represented the 9th district since 1997 and was expected to seek re-election in the 5th district,[2] will instead run in the 9th district.[10]
New Jersey's 6th congressional district has been represented by Democrat Frank Pallone since 1993 (Pallone previously represented the 3rd district from 1988 until 1993). Anna Little, the former mayor of Highlands and the 2010 Republican nominee in the 6th district, has stated that she will run again;[11] however, she may choose to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Bob Menendez instead.[12] Publisher Diane Gooch, who also ran in the Republican primary in 2010, also may run again.[11]
New Jersey's 7th congressional district, which has been represented by Republican Leonard Lance since 2009, was made more favorable to Republicans in redistricting.[13] David Larsen, a businessman who unsuccessfully challenged Lance in the Republican primary in 2010, will run again.[14]
Jun Choi, the former mayor of Edison,[15] and Ed Potosnak, a chemistry teacher and entrepreneur who unsuccessfully ran for the seat in 2010,[16] announced during 2011 that they would seek the Democratic nomination in the 2012 primary. However, following the redistricting process which placed Choi's town of Edison in the 6th district, Choi announced that he would not be a candidate for Congress in 2012 and endorsed incumbent Frank Pallone.
The new 8th district is the successor to the 13th district, which has been represented by Democrat Albio Sires since 2006.[17]
Democrat Bill Pascrell, who has represented New Jersey's 8th congressional district since 1997; and Steve Rothman, a Democrat who has represented the 9th district since 1997, will both seek re-election in the new 9th district.[10]
New Jersey's 10th congressional district has been represented by Democrat Donald Payne since 1989. Newark City Councilman Ronald C. Rice plans to challenge Payne in the Democratic primary.[18]