The 1959 New Jersey Senate elections were held on November 3.
The elections took place midway through the second term of Governor Robert Meyner. Eleven of New Jersey's 21 counties held regular elections for Senator; Cumberland County also held a special election to complete the unexpired term of W. Howard Sharp, who died in December 1958.
Democrats gained two seats by flipping a seat in Burlington and Gloucester counties (which was vacant), as well as holding their vacant seat in Cumberland. Democrats nearly won control of the New Jersey Senate for the first time since 1915; only 567 votes separated victorious Republican Robert C. Crane and Democrat H. Roy Wheeler in Union County.
Incumbents not running for re-election All ten incumbents ran for re-election.
Summary of results by county CountyIncumbentPartyElected SenatorPartyAtlanticFrank S. FarleyRepNo electionBergenWalter H. JonesRepNo electionBurlingtonAlbert McCayRepHenry S. HainesDemCamdenJoseph W. CowgillDemJoseph W. CowgillDemCape MayCharles W. SandmanRepCharles W. SandmanRepCumberlandVacantRobert H. WeberDemEssexDonal C. FoxDemDonal C. FoxDemGloucesterVacantThomas F. Connery Jr.DemHudsonWilliam F. Kelly Jr.DemNo electionHunterdonWesley LanceRepNo electionMercerSido RidolfiDemNo electionMiddlesexJohn A. LynchDemJohn A. LynchDemMonmouthRichard R. StoutRepRichard R. StoutRepMorrisThomas J. HilleryRepNo electionOceanW. Steelman MathisRepNo electionPassaicAnthony J. GrossiDemNo electionSalemJohn A. WaddingtonDemJohn A. WaddingtonDemSomersetWilliam E. OzzardRepWilliam E. OzzardRepSussexGeorge B. HarperRepNo electionUnionRobert C. CraneRepRobert C. CraneRepWarrenWayne DumontRepWayne DumontRep
Close races Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
gain
Burlington
Camden
Cape May
Cumberland (special)
Essex
Gloucester
Middlesex
Monmouth
Salem
Somerset
Union
Warren
References