1980Final results
1980 election for New Jersey's 1st District
U.S. House · New Jersey
James Florio (D) won with 76.7% of the vote, defeating Scott L. Sibert (R) by 54.8 points.
James FlorioDemocrat · winner
76.7%147,352
Scott L. SibertRepublican
21.9%42,154
Thomas S. Watson Jr.Independent
0.7%1,327
Ronald K. WishartLibertarian
0.5%1,029
Julius LevinOther party
0.1%219
192,081 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 1980
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
James FlorioScott L. Sibert
$210.3K
Raised by the campaign
$19.1K
$222.7K
Spent by the campaign
$20.9K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
James Florio (D)Scott L. Sibert (R)
Also on the ballot: Thomas S. Watson Jr. (Independent), 0.7%; Ronald K. Wishart (Libertarian), 0.5%; Julius Levin (Other party), 0.1%