The 2002 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on November 5, 2002. Former U.S. senator Frank Lautenberg was elected over Republican businessman Doug Forrester. Democratic incumbent Robert Torricelli dropped out of the race on September 30 in the face of ethical misconduct allegations, a formal admonishment by the Senate Ethics Committee, and poor public polling.

Primary elections were held on June 4. Torricelli, the target of a federal ethics probe, was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Forrester won a competitive Republican primary over state senators Diane Allen and John Matheussen. Another leading candidate, Essex County executive James W. Treffinger, dropped out on April 22 amid a federal criminal investigation for bribery.

In the general election, Torricelli steadily fell behind Forrester in public polling and dropped out in late September. The New Jersey Democratic State Committee replaced him with Frank Lautenberg, who had held the state's other Senate seat from 1982 until 2001. Forrester's campaign filed legal proceedings aimed at forcing Torricelli's name to remain on the ballot, but the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled unanimously on October 2 that Lautenberg could replace Torricelli.

On election day, Lautenberg defeated Forrester by a 9.9 percentage point margin to win a fourth, non-consecutive term as U.S. senator. At 78, Lautenberg became the oldest non-incumbent to win a Senate election.Would Ted Strickland be the oldest freshman senator ever elected? Here's his competition.. Vox. 25 February 2015. Lautenberg became the state's junior senator for the second time when he was sworn in on January 3, 2003, as his previous terms in the Senate were not counted for purposes of seniority.

As of 2026, this is the last time a replacement nominee in a Senate race went on to win the general election.

Democratic primary Candidates Robert Torricelli, incumbent U.S. senator since 1997

Results Although Torricelli would later withdraw from the race, he was unopposed for the Democratic nomination on June 4.

Republican primary Candidates Diane Allen, state senator from Moorestown since 1998 Doug Forrester, businessman and former mayor of West Windsor (1981–82) John J. Matheussen, state senator from Mantua since 1992

Withdrew Guy R. Gregg, assemblyman from Washington Township (Morris County) and former Assembly majority whip (withdrew April 8; endorsed Treffinger) Robert Ray, former Whitewater controversy special counsel (withdrew April 8) James W. Treffinger, Essex County executive and candidate for Senate in 2000 (withdrew April 22)

Declined Lewis Eisenberg, former chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Steve Forbes, publisher of Forbes magazine and candidate for president in 1996 and 2000 Thomas Kean, former governor of New Jersey (1982–90)

Campaign Many Republicans were eager to take on Torricelli, who was the subject of a federal investigation into his fundraising practices in his 1996 election.

James W. Treffinger became the first candidate to officially announce his campaign in November 2001, shortly after the state elections which ended a decade of Republican rule. Much speculation at the time revolved around popular former Governor Thomas Kean, whom party chair Joe Kyrillos referred to as a "star player."

At the April 8 filing deadline, the two trailing candidates, Assemblyman Guy Gregg and attorney Robert Ray, dropped out of the race. Gregg endorsed Treffinger, who seemingly became the front-runner for the nomination. However, Treffinger's campaign collapsed less than two weeks later, when his office was raided by federal agents as part of an investigation into his acceptance of campaign contributions in exchange for public contracts. Many state and national Republicans withdrew their support from Treffinger. Four days after the raid, he withdrew from the race.

Results

Aftermath Treffinger was arrested in October and indicted by U.S. Attorney Chris Christie on twenty counts of extortion, fraud, obstructing a federal investigation, and conspiracy. He pleaded guilty in May 2003 to one count of obstruction and one count of mail fraud.

General election Candidates Doug Forrester, businessman and former mayor of West Windsor (Republican) Ted Glick (Green) Frank Lautenberg, former U.S. senator (1982–2001) (Democratic) Elizabeth Macron (Libertarian) Greg Pason, national secretary of the Socialist Party USA and perennial candidate (Socialist) Norman E. Wahner (Conservative)

Withdrew Robert Torricelli, incumbent U.S. senator since 1997 (Democratic)

Campaign On July 30, the United States Senate Ethics Committee issued a letter which "severely admonished" Torricelli for failing to disclose gifts he received and accepted from a donor. In late September, evidence was revealed about the relationship between Torricelli and the donor, and the donor was interviewed on WNBC in a segment dubbed "The Prisoner and the Politician". Torricelli dropped out of the race on September 30 due to ethical problems and poor poll numbers against Forrester, a relatively unknown opponent.

Replacement nominee and lawsuit Various candidates were sought after to replace Torricelli, including former U.S. senator Bill Bradley and current U.S. representatives Bob Menendez and Frank Pallone. The New Jersey Democratic State Committee eventually chose former U.S. senator Frank Lautenberg as the party's candidate. In The New Jersey Democratic Party v. Samson, 175 N.J. 178 (2002), Forrester sued to prevent Lautenberg from replacing Torricelli on the ballot. On October 2, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the Democratic Party had the right to nominate Lautenberg.

Endorsements Forrester received the endorsement of President George W. Bush.Remarks by the President at Doug Forrester for Senate Event, White House press release dated September 23, 2002

Debates Complete video of debate, September 5, 2002 Complete video of debate, September 12, 2002 Complete video of debate, October 30, 2002 Complete video of debate, November 2, 2002

Predictions SourceRankingAs ofSabato's Crystal Ball November 4, 2002

Polling

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin BobTorricelli (D) DougForrester (R) Other /Undecided Quinnipiac January 22–28, 2002 1,018 RV ±3.1% 50% 26% 22% Quinnipiac February 28–March 4, 2002 1,005 RV ±3.1% 53% 26% 21% Quinnipiac April 17–22, 2002 837 RV ±3.4% 47% 29% 24%Rutgers-EagletonRutgers-Eagleton June 5–9, 2002 626 RV ±4.0% 43% 29% 21% Quinnipiac June 11–17, 2002 736 RV ±3.6% 44% 36% 21% Quinnipiac July 31–August 6, 2002 879 RV ±3.3% 37% 37% 28% Torricelli internal August 2002 ? LV ? 40% 40% 20% Forrester internal August 19, 2002 ? LV ? 35% 47% 18% SurveyUSA August 21, 2002 978 RV ±3.3% 37% 48% 15%Rutgers-Eagleton September 3–8, 2002 537 LV ±4.0% 37% 33% 30%Quinnipiac September 3–10, 2002 1,341 LV ±2.7% 45% 41% 14% 861 LV ±3.3% 44% 48% 9%Rutgers-Eagleton September 18–25, 2002 547 RV 34% 41% 26% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin FrankLautenberg (D) DougForrester (R) Other /Undecided Quinnipiac October 2–6, 2002 514 LV 4.3% 49% 45% 6%Rutgers-Eagleton October 3–6, 2002801 A ±4.0% 46% 40% 14% 530 LV ±4.5% 44% 44% 12%Rutgers-Eagleton October 13–17, 2002 793 RV ±3.5% 44% 35% 22% Quinnipiac October 16–20, 2002 603 LV ±4.0% 52% 43% 4% NYT–CBS News October 19–24, 2002 772 RV ±? 46% 39% 21%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 27–29, 2002 732 LV ±3.7% 51% 41% 8%Rutgers-Eagleton October 27–31, 2002 909 RV ±3.5% 51% 34% 14% 458 LV ±3.5% 52% 40% 8% Quinnipiac October 28–November 3, 2002 574 LV ±4.1% 50% 39% 11% Research 2000/The Record November 1–2, 2002 600 LV ±4.0% 51% 42% 8%

with Diane Allen Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RobertTorricelli (D) DianeAllen (R) Undecided Quinnipiac February 28–March 4, 2002 1,005 RV ±3.1% 49% 30% 20% Quinnipiac April 17–22, 2002 837 RV ±3.4% 44% 32% 24%

with Guy Gregg Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RobertTorricelli (D) GuyGregg (R) Undecided Quinnipiac January 22–28, 2002 1,018 RV ±3.1% 51% 25% 24% Quinnipiac February 28–March 4, 2002 1,005 RV ±3.1% 52% 26% 21%

with John Matheussen Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RobertTorricelli (D) JohnMatheussen (R) Undecided Quinnipiac February 28–March 4, 2002 1,005 RV ±3.1% 52% 28% 20% Quinnipiac April 17–22, 2002 837 RV ±3.4% 46% 31% 23%

with Robert Ray Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RobertTorricelli (D) RobertRay (R) Undecided Quinnipiac February 28–March 4, 2002 1,005 RV ±3.1% 53% 28% 20%

with James Treffinger Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RobertTorricelli (D) JamesTreffinger (R) Undecided Quinnipiac January 22–28, 2002 1,018 RV ±3.1% 49% 28% 23% Quinnipiac February 28–March 4, 2002 1,005 RV ±3.1% 51% 27% 21% Quinnipiac April 17–22, 2002 837 RV ±3.4% 45% 29% 26%

Results

By county County Frank LautenbergDecember Doug ForresterRepublican Various candidatesOther parties Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Atlantic 33,277 53.85% 27,236 44.07% 1,288 2.08% 6,041 9.78% 61,801 Bergen 139,241 54.81% 110,272 43.40% 4,547 1.79% 28,969 11.41% 254,060 Burlington 61,476 51.71% 54,846 46.13% 2,563 2.16% 6,630 5.58% 118,885 Camden 77,640 63.21% 41,628 33.89% 3,564 2.90% 36,012 29.32% 122,832 Cape May 14,760 44.59% 17,751 53.63% 587 1.77% -2,991 -9.04% 33,098 Cumberland 17,020 54.64% 13,189 42.34% 943 3.03% 3,831 12.30% 31,152 Essex 114,624 71.09% 44,072 27.33% 2,541 1.58% 70,552 43.76% 161,237 Gloucester 41,009 55.47% 31,140 42.12% 1,776 2.40% 9,869 13.35% 73,925 Hudson 74,127 72.76% 25,194 24.73% 2,560 2.51% 48,933 48.03% 101,881 Hunterdon 13,890 34.57% 25,124 62.53% 1,163 2.90% -11,234 -27.96% 40,177 Mercer 53,675 57.59% 37,195 39.91% 2,338 2.51% 16,480 17.68% 93,208 Middlesex 98,019 58.64% 65,128 38.96% 4,009 2.40% 32,891 19.68% 167,156 Monmouth 79,730 46.24% 88,424 51.28% 4,278 2.48% -8,694 -5.04% 172,432 Morris 55,592 40.29% 79,984 57.97% 2,406 1.74% -29,640 -17.68% 137,982 Ocean 69,328 45.24% 80,592 52.59% 3,315 2.16% -11,264 -7.35% 153,235 Passaic 53,275 56.14% 39,822 41.96% 1,806 1.90% 13,453 14.18% 94,903 Salem 10,232 50.47% 9,487 46.79% 556 2.74% 745 3.68% 20,275 Somerset 36,476 43.42% 45,590 54.26% 1,951 2.32% -9,114 -10.84% 84,017 Sussex 13,673 34.34% 25,099 63.04% 1,045 2.62% -11,426 -28.70% 39,817 Union 70,085 57.73% 49,243 40.56% 2,074 1.71% 20,842 17.17% 121,402 Warren 11,044 36.16% 17,423 57.05% 2,074 6.79% -6,379 -20.89% 30,541Totals1,138,19353.88%928,43943.95%45,9722.17%209,7549.93%2,112,604

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Salem (largest municipality: Pennsville Township)

See also 2002 United States Senate elections

Notes

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