1988Final results
1988 election for New Jersey's 2nd District
U.S. House · New Jersey
William Hughes (D) won with 65.7% of the vote, defeating Kirk W. Conover (R) by 32.6 points.
William HughesDemocrat · winner
65.7%134,505
Kirk W. ConoverRepublican
33.1%67,759
Richard A. Schindewolf Jr.Other party
1.2%2,372
204,636 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 1988
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.
William HughesKirk W. Conover
$283.5K
Raised by the campaign
$47.6K
$235.6K
Spent by the campaign
$47.2K
$137.2K
Cash on hand
$367
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
William Hughes (D)Kirk W. Conover (R)
Also on the ballot: Richard A. Schindewolf Jr. (Other party), 1.2%