1971Final results
1971 election for New Jersey Legislative District 9A
New Jersey General Assembly · New Jersey
2 seats: Joseph J. Higgins (D), Alexander J. Menza (D) won.
2 seatsJoseph J. HigginsDemocrat · winner · incumbent
28.4%23,497
Alexander J. MenzaDemocrat · winner
27.2%22,457
Leonard GenovaRepublican
20.8%17,177
Thomas T. BuckleyRepublican
18.2%15,019
Wilbert BlackshearIndependent
2.3%1,909
Richard MathisenIndependent
2.2%1,783
Philip R. NicolausNonpartisan
0.9%753
82,595 votes
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1971
Races before and after
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The candidates
Joseph J. Higgins (D)Alexander J. Menza (D)Leonard Genova (R)Thomas T. Buckley (R)
Also on the ballot: Wilbert Blackshear (Independent), 2.3%; Richard Mathisen (Independent), 2.2%; Philip R. Nicolaus (Nonpartisan), 0.9%