The 1981 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held November 3, 1981. Republican Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly Thomas Kean narrowly defeated Democratic U.S. Representative James Florio, 49.46%-49.38, following a recount.[1] Kean's margin of victory was 1,797 votes out of more than two million votes cast.[2][3] As of 2024, the 1981 gubernatorial election remains the closest gubernatorial contest in New Jersey history.[4]
Primary elections were held June 2, 1981.[5] Kean and Florio prevailed, each defeating numerous other candidates without attaining 50% of the vote. The general election was framed as a referendum on the new presidency of Ronald Reagan and, in particular, on Reagan's cuts to federal spending.[6][7][8][9] On election night, the results were too close to call, but Kean led by fewer than 1,700 votes. Florio petitioned for a recount, which expanded Kean's lead slightly; Florio conceded the race on November 30.
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^"Election night 1981, when the N.J. governor's race was too close to call". NJ.com. November 3, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
^Cite error: The named reference history was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference general was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Brindle, Jeffrey (October 3, 2022). "Former Governor Jim Florio – A Public Servant Right to the End". insidernj.com.
^"Candidates for the Office of Governor - State of New Jersey" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1981. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
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^Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Broder, David S. (November 4, 1981). "Rep. Florio, Kean in Close N.J. Race". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
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