1977Final results
1977 election for New Jersey Legislative District 17
New Jersey State Senate · New Jersey
William J. Hamilton Jr. (D) won with 59.7% of the vote, defeating Peter J. Selesky (R) by 23.0 points.
William J. Hamilton Jr.Democrat · winner
59.7%26,343
Peter J. SeleskyRepublican
36.7%16,183
Walter JinottiIndependent
2.2%985
Edward J. McGlynnRepublican
1.4%638
44,149 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 1977
Races before and after
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The candidates
William J. Hamilton Jr. (D)Peter J. Selesky (R)
Also on the ballot: Walter Jinotti (Independent), 2.2%; Edward J. McGlynn (Republican), 1.4%