1973 New Jersey gubernatorial election

1973 New Jersey gubernatorial election

← 1969 November 6, 1973 1977 →

Nominee Brendan Byrne Charles W. Sandman Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,414,613 676,235 Percentage 66.7% 31.9%

County results Byrne:      50–60%      60���70%      70–80% Sandman:      60-70%

Governor before election William T. Cahill Republican Elected Governor Brendan Byrne Democratic

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The 1973 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1973. Incumbent Republican Governor William T. Cahill ran for reelection, but was defeated in the Republican primary by Charles W. Sandman Jr. In the general election, Democratic nominee Brendan Byrne defeated Sandman with 66.67% of the vote.

As of 2022, this remains the largest popular victory in the history of New Jersey by a Democratic candidate. Byrne carried 20 of New Jersey's 21 counties, with Sandman only winning his native Cape May. This is the most recent gubernatorial election in which the Democratic nominee won Morris and Sussex counties.

Primary elections[]

Primary elections were held on June 5, 1973.^[1]

Democratic primary[]

Candidates[]

• Brendan Byrne, Superior Court judge
• Ann Klein, State Assemblywoman from Morristown
• Ralph DeRose, State Senator from South Orange
• Frank Forst, union leader and Mayor of Jamesburg
• Vito Albanese, State Assemblyman from Fort Lee

Withdrew[]

• J. Edward Crabiel, State Senator from Milltown

Results[]

Republican primary[]

Candidates[]

• Charles W. Sandman Jr., U.S. Representative
• William T. Cahill, incumbent Governor
• Michael A. Maglio, Essex County Republican Committeeman

Results[]

General election[]

Candidates[]

Major party candidates

• Brendan Byrne, Democratic
• Charles W. Sandman Jr., Republican

Other candidates

• A. Howard Freund, American
• Alfred V. Colabella, Independent
• Robert Clement, Socialist Labor Party of America
• John A. Goodson, Libertarian
• James J. Terlizzi, Sr., Independent Taxpayer's Watchdog
• Stanley R. Knis, Tax Repeal
• Kenneth F. Newcombe, Communist
• Angelo S. Massaro, People's Choice
• Jack D. Alvino, Independent
• George Gilk, Defeat Narcotics Crime

Results[]

New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1973^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Brendan Byrne	1,414,613	66.67%	28.18
	Republican	Charles W. Sandman Jr.	676,235	31.87%	27.79
	American Independent	A. Howard Freund	6,412	0.31%	N/A
	Independent	Alfred V. Colabella	5,088	0.24%	N/A
	Socialist Labor	Robert Clement	4,249	0.20%	0.06
	Libertarian	John A. Goodson	3,071	0.15%	N/A
	Independent	James J. Terlizzi, Sr.	2,670	0.13%	N/A
	Independent	Stanley R. Knis	2,108	0.10%	N/A
	Communist	Kenneth F. Newcombe	2,008	0.10%	N/A
	Independent	Angelo S. Massaro	1,898	0.09%	N/A
	Independent	Jack D. Alvino	1,843	0.09%	0.35
	Independent	George Gilk	1,814	0.09%	N/A
Majority			738,378	34.80
Turnout			2,122,009
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing

References[]