1979Final resultsSpecial election
1979 special election for New Jersey Legislative District 22
New Jersey State Senate · New Jersey
Donald Difrancesco (R) won with 57.4% of the vote, defeating Joanne Rajoppi (D) by 16.6 points.
Donald DifrancescoRepublican · winner
57.4%23,969
Joanne RajoppiDemocrat
40.9%17,052
Rose Zeidwerg MonyekOther party
1.7%702
41,723 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 1979
Races before and after
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The candidates
Donald Difrancesco (R)Joanne Rajoppi (D)
Also on the ballot: Rose Zeidwerg Monyek (Other party), 1.7%