1982Final results
1982 election for New Jersey's 3rd District
U.S. House · New Jersey
James J. Howard (D) won with 62.3% of the vote, defeating Marie Sheehan Muhler (R) by 26.1 points.
James J. HowardDemocrat · winner
62.3%104,055
Marie Sheehan MuhlerRepublican
36.2%60,515
John Kinnevy IIIOther party
0.5%785
Lee A. Gesner Jr.Libertarian
0.4%701
Joseph B. HawleyOther party
0.3%504
Lawrence D. EricksonSocialist
0.3%436
166,996 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 1982
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
$600.3K
Raised by the campaign
$177.6K
$693.9K
Spent by the campaign
$239.8K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982
The candidates
James J. Howard (D)Marie Sheehan Muhler (R)
Also on the ballot: John Kinnevy III (Other party), 0.5%; Lee A. Gesner Jr. (Libertarian), 0.4%; Joseph B. Hawley (Other party), 0.3%; Lawrence D. Erickson (Socialist), 0.3%