The 1991 New Jersey General Assembly election was held on November 5, 1991.
The elections took place midway through Jim Florio's term as Governor of New Jersey. As in the State Senate elections, the Republican Party won a historic landslide, gaining 21 seats to win control of both chambers of the state legislature. As of 2025, the Republican Assembly majority of 58 seats is the largest for either party since 1973.
Background
Redistricting
1982–92
1992–2002
New Jersey Legislature before (left) and after (right) the 1991 redistricting
As required, the New Jersey legislature redistricted its state legislative districts in advance of the 1991 election. Redistricting was on balance considered to have favored Republicans.[1]
Tax increase
A centerpiece of the Florio administration's legislative agenda was the passage of a $2.8 billion tax increase. Republicans centered their 1991 campaign on opposition to the increase, as did even some incumbent Democrats, such as Senator Paul Contillo.[1] According to the Florio administration, the tax increase was designed to aid blue-collar workers, who were "also the people most upset by enactment of the taxes."[1]
Gun control
A strict gun control measure was another major legislative achievement of the Florio administration. The bill's passage led the National Rifle Association of America to spend nearly $250,000 in the 1991 elections targeting candidates in both parties who had voted in favor of the bill and supporting those who pledged to repeal it.[2]
^Roberts won a July 1991 special election to complete the unexpired term of Assemblyman Francis J. Gorman, who resigned due to poor health.
^Solomon was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Assemblyman Thomas J. Shusted, who resigned to become Camden County counsel.
^Casey was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Assemblyman Thomas P. Foy, who had resigned to take a seat in the State Senate.
^Cantu was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Assembylman Joseph D. Patero, who resigned in August 1991 to join the Department of Labor.
^Baker was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Frank M. Pelly, who resigned in July 1991 to become executive director of the New Jersey Lottery.
^Garrett was appointed to the seat in November 1990 to complete the unexpired term of Assemblyman Robert E. Littell, who resigned to join the State Senate.
^Vandervalk was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Assemblywoman Elizabeth Randall, who resigned in January 1991 to become Bergen County counsel.
