1916 United States Senate election in New Jersey

The United States Senate election of 1916 in New Jersey was held on November 7, 1916.

1916 United States Senate election in New Jersey

November 7, 1916
 
Nominee Joseph S. Frelinghuysen Sr. James E. Martine
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 244,715 170,019
Percentage 55.99% 38.90%

County results
Martine:      40–50%      50–60%
Frelinghuysen:      50–60%      60–70%

Senator before election

James E. Martine
Democratic

Elected Senator

Joseph S. Frelinghuysen Sr.
Republican

Incumbent Democratic Senator James E. Martine ran for re-election to a second term in office, but was defeated by Republican State Senator Joseph S. Frelinghuysen Sr.

This was the first popular election for United States Senator in New Jersey history, following the passage of the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This was the first of four straight elections to this seat in which the incumbent was defeated.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

Senator Martine drew a primary challenge from Woodrow Wilson ally John W. Wescott, the state Attorney General. Wescott's strong alliance with President Wilson and Martine's opposition to administration policy on World War I and general Anglophobia led some Democrats to think him vulnerable.[1] Martine had previously said that he would rather retire to his Union County farm than go to the White House "for orders."[2]

A minor third candidate from Newark, Frank McDermit, may have drawn away Martine supporters in Essex County. Wescott had the support of the Essex County machine.[1]

Results

Martin defeated Wescott by a large margin in Hudson County and the strong support of ethnic Germans, who approved of his critical stance on Wilson's war policy. Despite strong opposition from the Nugent machine in Essex and McDermit's candidacy, Martine appeared to carry the county narrowly.[1]

Given his close alliance with Wilson personally and politically, Wescott's loss was seen as a blow to the administration and Wilson's re-election hopes.[2]

Republican primary

Candidates

Campaign

In the campaign, the statewide party machine backed Murphy.[1] Opponents also accused Frelinghuysen of non-residency, given that his winter home and business were in New York.[1] Frelinghuysen was also opposed by automobile owners, based on his record as State Senator.[1] On primary day, most observers expected Murphy to win.[1]

Results

Frelinghuysen won a surprising victory over Murphy, who managed only a small plurality in his home base of Essex County.[1]

General election

Candidates

  • Livingston Barbour (Prohibition)
  • William C. Doughty (Socialist)
  • Joseph S. Frelinghuysen (Republican), President of the New Jersey Senate
  • Rudolph Katz (Socialist Labor)
  • James E. Martine (Democrat), incumbent Senator

Results

1916 United States Senate election in New Jersey[3][4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph S. Frelinghuysen Sr. 244,715 55.99%
Democratic James E. Martine (incumbent) 170,019 38.90%
Socialist William C. Doughty 13,358 3.06%
Prohibition Livingston Barbour 7,178 0.11%
Socialist Labor Rudolph Katz 1,826 0.42%
Total votes 437,096 100.00%

See also

References

  1. "GERMAN-AMERICAN VOTES IN JERSEY WIN FOR MARTINE". The New York Times. 28 Sep 1916. p. 1. Retrieved 30 Mar 2022.
  2. "MARTINE LEADS WESCOTT IN THE JERSEY PRIMARIES". The New York Times. 27 Sep 1916. p. 1. Retrieved 30 Mar 2022.
  3. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 1916" (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  4. "Our Campaigns - NJ US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1916". www.ourcampaigns.com.


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