1996Final results
1996 election for New Jersey's 1st District
U.S. House · New Jersey
Robert E. Andrews (D) won with 76.1% of the vote, defeating Mel Suplee (R) by 55.1 points.
Robert E. AndrewsDemocrat · winner
76.1%160,413
Mel SupleeRepublican
21.0%44,287
Michael EdmondsonIndependent
1.3%2,668
Patricia A. BilyIndependent
0.9%1,873
Norman E. WahnerIndependent
0.7%1,493
210,734 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 1996
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.
Robert E. AndrewsMel Suplee
$629.6K
Raised by the campaign
$9K
$414.3K
Spent by the campaign
$9K
$239.3K
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1996; FEC, through Nov 25, 1996.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1996
The candidates
Robert E. Andrews (D)Mel Suplee (R)
Also on the ballot: Michael Edmondson (Independent), 1.3%; Patricia A. Bily (Independent), 0.9%; Norman E. Wahner (Independent), 0.7%