Biggest governor landslides in New Jersey
The biggest landslide in a New Jersey governor’s race was in 1985, a margin of 40.3 points. Thomas Kean beat Peter Shapiro, 1,372,631 to 578,402. Next widest are 1973 (34.8 points) and 1989 (24.0 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race New Jersey has held, special elections included, see the New Jersey governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a New Jersey governor’s race?
The widest margin in a New Jersey gubernatorial general election came in 1985, 40.3 points. Thomas Kean beat Peter Shapiro, 1,372,631 to 578,402. Next are 1973 (34.8 points) and 1989 (24.0 points).
Why do some huge wins not appear?
A blowout only counts here when somebody real finished second, which means at least 5% of the vote. Without that rule the list fills with uncontested races and with contests where the record is simply missing the major opponent, both of which show the winner near 100%.
Does this include recalls and special elections?
No, only regular general elections for governor. The New Jersey governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1985 | Thomas Kean R def. Peter Shapiro D | 1,372,631 – 578,402 | +40.3 points |
| 2 | 1973 | Brendan Byrne D def. Charles W. Sandman Jr. R | 1,414,613 – 676,235 | +34.8 points |
| 3 | 1989 | James Florio D def. Jim Courter R | 1,379,937 – 838,553 | +24.0 points |
| 4 | 2013 | Chris Christie R def. Barbara Buono D | 1,278,932 – 809,978 | +22.1 points |
| 5 | 1969 | William T. Cahill R def. Robert B. Meyner D | 1,411,905 – 911,003 | +21.2 points |
| 6 | 1931 | A. Harry Moore D def. David Baird Jr. R | 735,504 – 505,451 | +18.1 points |
| 7 | 1965 | Richard J. Hughes D def. Wayne Dumont R | 1,279,568 – 915,996 | +16.3 points |
| 8 | 1946 | Alfred E. Driscoll R def. Lewis G. Hansen D | 807,378 – 585,960 | +15.7 points |
| 9 | 1916 | Walter Evans Edge R def. H. Otto Wittpenn D | 247,343 – 177,696 | +15.6 points |
| 10 | 2001 | Jim McGreevey D def. Bret Schundler R | 1,256,853 – 928,174 | +14.8 points |
| 11 | 2025 | Mikie Sherrill D def. Jack Ciattarelli R | 1,896,610 – 1,417,705 | +14.4 points |
| 12 | 2017 | Phil Murphy D def. Kim Guadagno R | 1,203,110 – 899,583 | +14.1 points |
| 13 | 1977 | Brendan Byrne D def. Raymond Bateman R | 1,184,564 – 888,880 | +13.9 points |
| 14 | 1862 | Joel Parker D def. Marcus Lawrence Ward N | 61,307 – 46,710 | +13.6 points |
| 15 | 1904 | Edward C. Stokes R def. Charles C. Black D | 231,363 – 179,719 | +11.9 points |
| 16 | 1910 | Woodrow Wilson D def. Vivian M. Lewis R | 233,682 – 184,626 | +11.3 points |
| 17 | 1943 | Walter Evans Edge R def. Vincent J. Murphy D | 634,364 – 506,604 | +11.1 points |
| 18 | 2005 | Jon S. Corzine D def. Doug Forrester R | 1,224,551 – 985,271 | +10.4 points |
| 19 | 1928 | Morgan F. Larson R def. William L. Dill D | 824,005 – 671,728 | +10.2 points |
| 20 | 1957 | Robert B. Meyner D def. Malcolm Forbes R | 1,101,130 – 897,321 | +10.0 points |
| 21 | 1895 | John W. Griggs R def. Alexander T. McGill D | 162,900 – 136,000 | +8.7 points |
| 22 | 1913 | James Fairman Fielder D def. Edward C. Stokes R | 173,148 – 140,298 | +8.7 points |
| 23 | 1953 | Robert B. Meyner D def. Paul L. Troast R | 962,710 – 809,068 | +8.5 points |
| 24 | 1850 | George Franklin Fort D def. John Runk W | 39,726 – 34,054 | +7.7 points |
| 25 | 1874 | Joseph D. Bedle D def. George A Halsey R | 97,283 – 84,050 | +7.3 points |