2008Final results
2008 election for U.S. Senate in New Jersey
U.S. Senate · New Jersey
Frank R. Lautenberg (D) won with 56.0% of the vote, defeating Richard Zimmer (R) by 14.1 points.
Frank R. LautenbergDemocrat · winner
56.0%1,951,218
Richard ZimmerRepublican
42.0%1,461,025
Jason ScheurerLibertarian
0.5%18,810
J. M. CarterOther party
0.5%15,935
Daryl Mikell BrooksOther party
0.5%15,925
Jeff BossOther party
0.3%10,345
Sara J. LobmanSocialist Workers
0.3%9,187
3,482,445 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 2008
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. LautenbergRichard Zimmer
$7.2M
Raised by the campaign
$1.5M
$8.1M
Spent by the campaign
$1.5M
$488.9K
Cash on hand
$44.1K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2008.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2008
The candidates
Frank R. Lautenberg (D)Richard Zimmer (R)
Also on the ballot: Jason Scheurer (Libertarian), 0.5%; J. M. Carter (Other party), 0.5%; Daryl Mikell Brooks (Other party), 0.5%; Jeff Boss (Other party), 0.3%; Sara J. Lobman (Socialist Workers), 0.3%