1969 New Jersey gubernatorial election

The 1969 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1969. Republican nominee William T. Cahill defeated Democratic nominee Robert B. Meyner with 59.66% of the vote. This was the only gubernatorial election that Republicans won between 1953 and 1977.

1969 New Jersey gubernatorial election

← 1965 November 4, 1969 1973 →

Nominee William T. Cahill Robert B. Meyner Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,411,905 911,003 Percentage 59.7% 38.5%

County results Cahill:      50–60%      60–70% Meyner:      50–60%

Governor before election Richard J. Hughes Democratic Elected Governor William T. Cahill Republican

Primary elections were held on June 3.^[1] Cahill won the Republican nomination narrowly over fellow South Jersey Congressman Charles W. Sandman Jr., while Meyner finished with nearly twice the vote of his closest competitor.

This is the first gubernatorial election since the 19th century, in which a Republican won Hudson County.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Henry Helstoski, U.S. Representative from East Rutherford
• John L. Hennessey, Sea Bright tavern owner^[2]
• William F. Kelly, State Senator from Hudson County
• Robert B. Meyner, former Governor
• Ned J. Parsekian, former State Senator from Bergen County
• D. Louis Tonti, director of the New Jersey Highway Authority^[3]

Results

Democratic Party primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Robert B. Meyner	173,801	44.77
	Democratic	William F. Kelly	87,888	22.64
	Democratic	Henry Helstoski	60,483	15.58
	Democratic	D. Louis Tonti	34,810	8.97
	Democratic	Ned J. Parsekian	24,908	6.42
	Democratic	John L. Hennessey	6,302	1.62
Total votes			388,192	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• William T. Cahill, U.S. Representative from Camden County
• Frank X. McDermott, State Senator from Union County
• William E. Ozzard, former State Senator from Somerset County
• Charles W. Sandman Jr., U.S. Representative from Cape May County
• Harry L. Sears, State Senator from Morris County

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William T. Cahill	158,980	39.31
	Republican	Charles W. Sandman Jr.	144,877	35.83
	Republican	Harry L. Sears	46,778	11.57
	Republican	Frank X. McDermott	35,503	8.78
	Republican	William E. Ozzard	18,262	4.52
Total votes			404,400	100.00

General election

Candidates

• William T. Cahill (Republican)
• Robert B. Meyner (Democratic)
• James E. Johnson (Independent)
• Jack D. Alvino (Independent)
• Winifred O. Perry (Conservative)
• Louis Vanderplate (Independent)
• Jules Levin (Socialist Labor)

Results

New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1969^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	William T. Cahill	1,411,905	59.66%	18.58
	Democratic	Robert B. Meyner	911,003	38.49%	18.90
	Independent	James E. Johnson	10,725	0.45%	N/A
	Independent	Jack D. Alvino	10,149	0.43%	N/A
	Conservative	Winifred O. Perry	10,128	0.43%	0.47
	Independent	Louis Vanderplate	6,611	0.28%	N/A
	Socialist Labor	Julius Levin	6,085	0.26%	0.05
Total votes			2,366,606	100.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing	{{{swing}}}

References

1. "Candidates for the Office of Governor - State of New Jersey" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1969. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
2. "Who's Hennessey?". The Record. May 9, 1969. p. 18. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
3. "Tonti is a Winner—At the Races". Asbury Park Press. June 1, 1969. p. 3. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
4. "Votes Cast for the Office of Governor of the State of New Jersey" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1969. Retrieved August 23, 2015.