1980Final results
1980 election for New Jersey's 2nd District
U.S. House · New Jersey
William Hughes (D) won with 57.5% of the vote, defeating Beech N. Fox (R) by 16.3 points.
William HughesDemocrat · winner
57.5%135,437
Beech N. FoxRepublican
41.2%97,072
Robert C. RothhouseLibertarian
1.0%2,262
Adele FrischOther party
0.4%939
235,710 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.
William HughesBeech N. Fox
$146.4K
Raised by the campaign
$102.2K
$156.8K
Spent by the campaign
$106.2K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
William Hughes (D)Beech N. Fox (R)
Also on the ballot: Robert C. Rothhouse (Libertarian), 1.0%; Adele Frisch (Other party), 0.4%