2000 NJ Senate Election

The 2000 NJ Senate Election, A Contest between Retired Goldman Sach's Banker Jon Corzine and New Jersey's 7th District Representative Bob Franks

After Frank Lautenberg announced that he would retire in 1999, it appeared that this seat would be in danger as immediately upon the announcement unpopular former Governor (D) Jim Florio got in the race, as did Popular incumbent governor - and the woman who defeated Florio in 1993 - Christine Todd Whitman

Because of the perceived weakness of his candidacy, North NJ's political leaders sought a way to force out Florio from being able to get the nomination, eventually settkeinbg on Corzine, who had a $300 Million net-worth, and was politically available

Corzine getting into the race did not force Florio out however, and despite the former Governor claiming that Corzine was an inexperienced buisnessman trying to buy the seat, the northern lines and Corzine's money were too much to overcome and he lost the Primary 58%-42%.

After the Primary, Corzine found the campaign to be harder than expected, stuck in the upper 40%s, Corzine made multiple mistakes on the campaign trail that allowed Franks to capitalize on his and Florio's claim that Corzine was buying the seat.

First, Corzine refused to release his tax returns claiming it violated a confidentiality agreement with goldman sachs, but he released a document that showed his donations to charities - and political organizations that endorsed him

Second, Corzine's tendency to not vote in elections received scrutiny, with him claiming to have voted in a referendum in a year that he did not vote in.

Franks also attacked Corzine on the 'impracticality of Universal Government Programs', however, Corzine remained in the upper 40% throughout the campaign.

Furthermore, buoyed by the New York Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer endorsements Franks blasted the state with his 2.5 million dollar war-chest in the final two weeks,

Despite that, Corzine too spent $7.4 million in that time period - mostly GOTV efforts that included bussing in people from Homeless shelters to the polls.

In the end, Jon Corzine won by 50.1% to Frank's 47.1%, Heavilly underperforming Al Gore's 16% margin in the burgeoning Blue State / increassingly Former Swing state by 13% - Keeping NJ's Class 1 Senate Seat in Democratic Hands for 6 more years.

Note: the Last Republican to hold NJ's Class 1 Senate seat was Nicholas Brady, who was appointed by Governor Tom Kean Sr to fill a vacancy in 1982, with the last Republican elected to this seat being Howard Alexander Smith in 1952.

Corzine Carried 10 of NJ's 21 Counties, losing the suburban and increasingly Democratic Bergen and Burlington counties.

Corzine also lost, and badly, in the upscale northern counties of Somerset and Morris; and as such mainly winning because of the Central Strip's citys and holding on in Florio's Native South Jersey, winning the region thanks his 16% win in Camnden County.

Lastly, Jon Corzine also carried 7/13 of the 2002-2012 Congressional districts and 23/40 of the 2001-2011 State Legislative districts to Bob Franks carying 6/13 CDs and 17/40 LDs

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