1997Final results
1997 election for New Jersey Legislative District 25
New Jersey General Assembly · New Jersey
2 seats: Michael Patrick Carroll (R), Rick Merkt (R) won.
2 seatsMichael Patrick CarrollRepublican · winner · incumbent
31.8%37,935
Rick MerktRepublican · winner
30.7%36,649
Chris EvangelDemocrat
17.6%20,968
Harriet LernerDemocrat
17.6%20,967
Jim SpinosaIndependent
1.4%1,630
Stephen SpinosaIndependent
1.1%1,296
119,445 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 1997
Races before and after
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The candidates
Michael Patrick Carroll (R)Rick Merkt (R)Chris Evangel (D)Harriet Lerner (D)
Also on the ballot: Jim Spinosa (Independent), 1.4%; Stephen Spinosa (Independent), 1.1%