1988Flipped from RepublicanFinal resultsSpecial election
1988 special election for New Jersey Legislative District 11
New Jersey General Assembly · New Jersey
John A. Villapiano (D) won with 53.4% of the vote, defeating Thomas M. Villane (R) by 8.7 points, flipping a seat Republicans held.
John A. VillapianoDemocrat · winner
53.4%14,513
Thomas M. VillaneRepublican
44.8%12,162
Lucille BenderLibertarian
1.2%323
Joshua LeinsdorfOther party
0.6%168
27,166 votes
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1988
Races before and after
Source: Past results: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)
The candidates
John A. Villapiano (D)Thomas M. Villane (R)
Also on the ballot: Lucille Bender (Libertarian), 1.2%; Joshua Leinsdorf (Other party), 0.6%