1986Final results
1986 election for New Jersey's 1st District
U.S. House · New Jersey
James Florio (D) won with 75.6% of the vote, defeating Fred A. Busch (R) by 52.0 points.
James FlorioDemocrat · winner
75.6%93,497
Fred A. BuschRepublican
23.6%29,173
Jerry ZeldinLibertarian
0.8%931
123,601 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 1986
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 FlorioFred A. Busch
$475.6K
Raised by the campaign
$5K
$322.5K
Spent by the campaign
$10.1K
$156.9K
Cash on hand
$581
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986