The 1911 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on January 24–25, 1911. Republican incumbent John Kean did not run for re-election to a third term. The open seat was won by Democrat James Edgar Martine with Republican former Governor Edward C. Stokes as the runner-up.
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Prior to passage of the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, New Jersey elected United States senators by a resolution of the New Jersey Legislature.
On September 13, 1910, direct "advisory" primaries were held. Martine defeated John McDermitt of Newark for the Democratic nomination, while Stokes narrowly won a three-way Republican primary against former Governor Franklin Murphy and U.S. Representative Charles N. Fowler.[1] Thus, Martine or Stokes stood likely to be elected Senator if their respective party won the 1910 fall legislative elections.
Republican primary
editCandidates
edit- Charles N. Fowler, U.S. Representative from Elizabeth since 1895
- Franklin Murphy, chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party and former Governor (1902–1905)
- Edward C. Stokes, former Governor (1905–1908) and State Senator from Cumberland County (1893–1903)
Declined
edit- John Kean, incumbent Senator since 1899
Results
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Edward C. Stokes | 39,781 | 34.63% | |
| Republican | Charles N. Fowler | 38,853 | 33.82% | |
| Republican | Franklin Murphy | 36,252 | 31.55% | |
| Total votes | 114,886 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
editCandidates
edit- James E. Martine, candidate for mayor of Plainfield and U.S. Representative
- Frank M. McDermit, Newark attorney
Results
editMartine carried every county, though no Democratic vote was reported in Ocean County or Cape May.[1]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James E. Martine | 48,458 | 75.68% | |
| Democratic | Frank M. McDermit | 15,575 | 24.32% | |
| Total votes | 64,033 | 100.00% | ||
Aftermath
editDespite Martine's victory, the primary was non-binding. Former Senator James Smith Jr., who broke his alliance with Martine and Woodrow Wilson, pledged to challenge him in the January legislative election.[citation needed]
Results
editThe Senate was unable to reach a choice on January 24, so both houses met in joint session on January 25 to elect Martine.
Senate
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James E. Martine | 9 | 45.00% | |
| Republican | Edward C. Stokes | 9 | 45.00% | |
| Republican | J. Franklin Fort | 1 | 5.00% | |
| Republican | John Kean | 1 | 5.00% | |
| Total votes | 20 | 100.00% | ||
Assembly
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James E. Martine | 31 | 51.67% | |
| Republican | Edward C. Stokes | 13 | 21.67% | |
| Democratic | James Smith Jr. | 10 | 16.67% | |
| Republican | John W. Griggs | 5 | 8.33% | |
| Democratic | James A. Hamill | 1 | 1.67% | |
| Total votes | 60 | 100.00% | ||
Joint session
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James E. Martine | 47 | 59.49% | |
| Republican | Edward C. Stokes | 21 | 26.58% | |
| Republican | John W. Griggs | 5 | 6.33% | |
| Democratic | James Smith Jr. | 3 | 3.80% | |
| Republican | J. Franklin Fort | 1 | 1.27% | |
| Republican | John Kean | 1 | 1.27% | |
| Republican | Mahlon Pitney | 1 | 1.27% | |
| Total votes | 79 | 100.00% | ||
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey". Newark, N.J.: M.R. Dennis & Co. 1911. p. 132.
- ^ a b c Rhoades, Henry Eckford; McPherson, Edward; Schem, A. J.; Ottarson, F. J.; Cleveland, John F.; Greeley, Horace (1912). "United States Senators Chosen, 1911". The Tribune Almanac and Political Register 1912. New York: The Tribune Association. p. 457. hdl:2027/hvd.32044015182322 – via Hathi Trust Digital Library.