1993 NJ Gubernatorial Election

"Read. My. Lips. No. New. Taxes." Just as the issue of Taxes cost George H.W. Bush reelection in 1992, so too did it for a different incumbent one year later with fmr South Jersey congressman, & Inc Gov Jim Florio's loss to former Somerset County Freeholder Christine Todd Whitman

In seeking to pull a similar hat trick that former Governor Brendan Byrne did and rise from his own political ashes that resulted in large republican majorities in the statehouse in 1991 Florio very nearly succeeded, losing by just over a point.

But the taxes issue, and the increasing unpopularity of President Clinton - who's presidency, and economic policies, this election was seen as a referendum on - prooved to be to be too steep a hill for the governor to climb.

In the end, what did him in this time was the fact that it was his worst performance in the area that comprises the 3rd state LD (Salem, Gloucester & Cumberland) and losing the Trenton Burbs to such an extent that this was the first time of his three gubernatorial runs that he lost Mercer County

Note: The collapse in LD-3 came despite Florio improving on his 1981 bid in the areas that comprise the 1st and 2nd LDs (Cape May, & Atlantic counties)

In terms of Districts, Christine Todd Whitman won 6/13 CDs 20/40 LDs and 12/21 counties to Jim Florio's 7/13 CDs, 20/40 LDs, and 9/21 Counties

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