1986Final results
1986 election for New Jersey's 3rd District
U.S. House · New Jersey
James J. Howard (D) won with 58.7% of the vote, defeating Brian T. Kennedy (R) by 17.4 points.
James J. HowardDemocrat · winner
58.7%73,743
Brian T. KennedyRepublican
41.3%51,882
125,625 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 J. HowardBrian T. Kennedy
$601.7K
Raised by the campaign
$189.3K
$541.5K
Spent by the campaign
$193.1K
$79.5K
Cash on hand
$183
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986