1988Final results
1988 election for U.S. Senate in New Jersey
U.S. Senate · New Jersey
Frank R. Lautenberg (D) won with 53.6% of the vote, defeating Peter M. Dawkins (R) by 8.4 points.
Frank R. LautenbergDemocrat · winner
53.6%1,599,905
Peter M. DawkinsRepublican
45.2%1,349,937
Joseph F. JobIndependent
0.7%20,091
Jerry ZeldinLibertarian
0.4%12,354
Thomas A. FiskeSocialist Workers
0.2%5,347
2,987,634 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.
Frank R. LautenbergPeter M. Dawkins
$7.1M
Raised by the campaign
$7.8M
$7.3M
Spent by the campaign
$7.6M
$40.1K
Cash on hand
$150.3K
Other candidates' campaigns: Joseph F. Job $10.2K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
Frank R. Lautenberg (D)Peter M. Dawkins (R)
Also on the ballot: Joseph F. Job (Independent), 0.7%; Jerry Zeldin (Libertarian), 0.4%; Thomas A. Fiske (Socialist Workers), 0.2%