1976 NJ-09 Congressional Election

The 1976 NJ-09th Democratic Primary, a contest between indicted Congressman Henry Helstoski and Englewood Assemblyman Byron Baer was a crazed election that resulted in the indicted incumbent winning the nomination—but losing the general to Republican Harrold Hollenbeck

Indicted on charges of Bribery, Perjury, and Obstruction of Justice The Primary Campaign centered on Congressman Helstoski's record in Congress vs Baer's charge against Helstoski for the Crimes he was accused of—and indicted the thursday before the primary

The end result was Baer—a progressive assemblyman arrested by the Mississippi Government for protesting Segregation in the Freedom Rides—narrowly leading Helstoski on election night, with Hudson county Mail in Votes holding the race in the balance.

To this Helstoski would say that the race was "in God's hands not mine [...] God's or Hudson County's"

And in Hudson County's hands it was, despite losing the Organizational Line because of Pro-Reform Jersey City Mayor Paul Jordan's ally Bernard Hartnett being the HCDO Chairman, Helstoski won the backing onf the powerful mayors of Union City, North Bergen and Secaucus

Here, the Support of North Bergen's Mocco Brothers—including North Bergen Mayor Peter Mocco—was important as they collected the lions share of the Absentee votes that would push Helstoski into a narrow Post election night lead

But allegations of Fraud Quickly surfaced, both from the Baer and Mayor Jordan Camps—leading to an impounding of the mail in ballots by Jordan allies on the Hudson Board of Elections and a monthslong investigation into potential fraud.

This investigation led to multiple recounts, and eventually a second primary which Helstoski agreed too as judges were preparing to throw out enough ballots to make Baer the winner.

Whilst rehashing most of the campaign—Helstoski relied on the Organizartional suport everyone thought would give him a win the first time, and was able to beat back Baer by a comanding 8.3% Margin with strong suport from his medowlands Base, and his Hudson County allies

The indictments and both primaries politically spent Helstoski, allowing Republican Harold Hollenbeck—a moderate Republican—with a strong campaign to win back the 9th District for Republicans by 8.8%; A Similar Margin to that which Gerald Ford beat Jimmy Carter in this seat.

https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30393