Race Summary

This race got a major facelift March 5 when Republican Party favorite Anne Estabrook announced she had suffered a minor stroke and was leaving the race. Estabrook had two big things going for her that made her a serious competitor against the longtime New Jersey public official, Frank Lautenberg: moderate stances and personal wealth.

The race received two more jolts when Rep. Rob Andrews announced he would challenge Lautenberg in the Democratic primary and former GOP Rep. Dick Zimmer -- who lost the 1996 race for this seat to Bob Torricelli -- announced his entrance to the GOP primary. 

Zimmer defeated state Sen. Joe Pennacchio and professor Murray Sabrin in the June 3 primary, and Lautenberg held off Andrews, who attacked Lautenberg for being too old (he turned 84 this year), 58%-36%.

Previous Election Results

Senate
2006: Menendez (D) 53, Kean Jr. (R) 44
2002: Lautenberg (D) 54, Forrester (R) 44
2000: Corzine (D) 50, Franks (R) 47
1996: Torricelli (D) 53, Zimmer (R) 43

President
2004: Kerry (D) 53, Bush (R) 46
2000: Gore (D) 56, Bush (R) 40
1996: Clinton (D) 54, Dole (R) 36

Demographics

Population (2007 est.): 8,685,920
Registered Voters: Dem 24.3% | Rep 18.2% | Other 57.5%
Occupation: Blue Collar 19.7% | White Collar 66.5% | Gray Collar 13.8%
Race: White 66.0% | Hispanic 13.3% | Black 13.0% | Asian 5.7%