1978Final results
1978 election for U.S. Senate in New Jersey
U.S. Senate · New Jersey
William Bradley (D) won with 55.3% of the vote, defeating Jeffrey Bell (R) by 12.2 points.
William BradleyDemocrat · winner
55.3%1,082,960
Jeffrey BellRepublican
43.1%844,200
Herbert Harry ShawIndependent
0.2%4,736
Bill GahresIndependent
0.2%3,817
Jack MoyersIndependent
0.2%3,809
Robert BrownOther party
0.2%3,656
J. M. Carter Jr.Independent
0.2%3,618
Jasper C. GouldIndependent
0.2%2,955
William R. ThornIndependent
0.1%2,776
Paul FergusonIndependent
0.1%2,604
Alice ConnerIndependent
0.1%2,384
1,957,515 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1978
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
William Bradley (D)Jeffrey Bell (R)
Also on the ballot: Herbert Harry Shaw (Independent), 0.2%; Bill Gahres (Independent), 0.2%; Jack Moyers (Independent), 0.2%; Robert Brown (Other party), 0.2%; J. M. Carter Jr. (Independent), 0.2%; Jasper C. Gould (Independent), 0.2%; William R. Thorn (Independent), 0.1%; Paul Ferguson (Independent), 0.1%; Alice Conner (Independent), 0.1%