1980Final results
1980 election for New Jersey's 3rd District
U.S. House · New Jersey
James J. Howard (D) won with 49.9% of the vote, defeating Marie Sheehan Muhler (R) by 1.0 points.
James J. HowardDemocrat · winner
49.9%106,269
Marie Sheehan MuhlerRepublican
49.0%104,184
Tom PalvenLibertarian
0.7%1,450
Lawrence D. EricksonSocialist
0.3%643
L. James WilsonOther party
0.1%284
212,830 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 J. HowardMarie Sheehan Muhler
$228.4K
Raised by the campaign
$170.9K
$208.3K
Spent by the campaign
$184.8K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
James J. Howard (D)Marie Sheehan Muhler (R)
Also on the ballot: Tom Palven (Libertarian), 0.7%; Lawrence D. Erickson (Socialist), 0.3%; L. James Wilson (Other party), 0.1%