New Jersey's 12th Congressional District

New Jersey's 12th Congressional District

Incumbent

Bonnie Watson Coleman

Assumed office: January 3, 2015

New Jersey's 12th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman (D).

As of the 2020 Census, New Jersey representatives represented an average of 774,541 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 733,958 residents.

Elections

2024

See also: New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2024

New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Republican primary)

New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 4 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman defeated Darius Mayfield, Kim Meudt, and Vic Kaplan in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)	61.2	196,871
		Darius Mayfield (R)	36.4	117,222
	Submit photo	Kim Meudt (G)	1.4	4,652
		Vic Kaplan (L)	0.9	2,915

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 321,660
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman defeated Daniel J. Dart in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on June 4, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bonnie Watson Coleman	86.8	43,510
		Daniel J. Dart	13.2	6,623

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 50,133
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Darius Mayfield defeated Thomas Jones Jr. in the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on June 4, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Darius Mayfield	84.4	14,753
		Thomas Jones Jr.	15.6	2,732

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,485
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Shola Coker (R)

2022

See also: New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman defeated Darius Mayfield and C. Lynn Genrich in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)	63.1	125,127
		Darius Mayfield (R)	35.9	71,175
	Submit photo	C. Lynn Genrich (L)	1.0	1,925

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 198,227
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bonnie Watson Coleman	100.0	37,440

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 37,440
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Darius Mayfield advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Darius Mayfield	100.0	13,514

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 13,514
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Nick Catucci (R)

2020

See also: New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman defeated Mark Razzoli, Robert Edward Forchion Jr., and Kenneth Cody in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)	65.6	230,883
		Mark Razzoli (R)	32.6	114,591
	Submit photo	Robert Edward Forchion Jr. (Independent)	1.3	4,512
		Kenneth Cody (Truth Vision Hope Party)	0.5	1,739

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 351,725
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Stan Koshy (Independent)
• Zadok Rubin (People's Party)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman defeated Lisa McCormick in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on July 7, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bonnie Watson Coleman	89.2	81,936
		Lisa McCormick	10.8	9,928

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 91,864
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Mark Razzoli advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on July 7, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark Razzoli	100.0	19,992

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,992
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman defeated Daryl Kipnis in the general election for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bonnie Watson Coleman (D)	68.7	173,334
		Daryl Kipnis (R)	31.3	79,041

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 252,375
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bonnie Watson Coleman	100.0	35,430

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 35,430
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Andrew Hartford (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12

Daryl Kipnis advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New Jersey District 12 on June 5, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Daryl Kipnis	100.0	9,776

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 9,776
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) defeated Steven Uccio (R) and several third party candidates in the general election on November 8, 2016. Watson Coleman defeated Alexander Kucsma in the Democratic primary on June 7, 2016. Watson Coleman won re-election in the November 8 election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 12 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bonnie Watson Coleman Incumbent	62.9%	181,430
	Republican	Steven Uccio	32%	92,407
	Legalize Marijuana	Edward Forchion	2.1%	6,094
	Teddy Roosevelt Progressive	Robert Shapiro	1%	2,775
	Libertarian	Thomas Fitzpatrick	0.9%	2,482
	Green	Steven Welzer	0.7%	2,135
	We the People	Michael Bollentin	0.5%	1,311
Total Votes				288,634
Source: New Jersey Division of Elections

U.S. House, New Jersey District 12 Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Bonnie Watson Coleman Incumbent	93.6%	66,479
Alexander Kucsma	6.4%	4,525
Total Votes		71,004
Source: New Jersey Division of Elections

2014

See also: New Jersey's 12th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 12th Congressional District of New Jersey held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) defeated Alieta Eck (R), Steven Welzer (G), Kenneth Cody ("Truth Vision Hope"), Allen Cannon (Democratic-Republican), Don Dezarn ("Legalize Marijuana Party") and Jack Freudenheim ("Start the Conversation") in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 12 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Bonnie Watson Coleman	61%	90,430
	Republican	Alieta Eck	36.5%	54,168
	Green	Steven Welzer	0.6%	890
	Truth Vision Hope	Kenneth Cody	0.4%	567
	Democratic-Republican	Allen Cannon	0.3%	450
	Legalize Marijuana	Don Dezarn	0.9%	1,330
	Start the Conversation	Jack Freudenheim	0.4%	531
Total Votes				148,366
Source: New Jersey Division of Elections

2012

See also: New Jersey's 12th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 12th Congressional District of New Jersey held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Rush D. Holt, Jr. won re-election in the district.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 12 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Rush D. Holt, Jr. Incumbent	69.2%	189,926
	Republican	Eric Beck	29.5%	80,906
	Independent	Kenneth Cody	0.5%	1,305
	Independent	Jack Freudenheim	0.8%	2,261
Total Votes				274,398
Source: New Jersey Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Rush D. Holt, Jr. won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Scott Sipprelle (R) and Kenneth J. Cody (Truth Vision Hope) in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 12 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Rush D. Holt, Jr. incumbent	53%	108,214
	Republican	Scott Sipprelle	45.9%	93,634
	Truth Vision Hope	Kenneth J. Cody	1.1%	2,154
Total Votes				204,002

2008
On November 4, 2008, Rush D. Holt, Jr. won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Alan R. Bateman (R) and David Corsi (Common Sense Ideas) in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 12 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Rush D. Holt, Jr. incumbent	63.1%	193,732
	Republican	Alan R. Bateman	35.3%	108,400
	Common Sense Ideas	David Corsi	1.6%	4,802
Total Votes				306,934

2006
On November 7, 2006, Rush D. Holt, Jr. won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Joseph S. Sinagra (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 12 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Rush D. Holt, Jr. incumbent	65.7%	125,468
	Republican	Joseph S. Sinagra	34.3%	65,509
Total Votes				190,977

2004
On November 2, 2004, Rush D. Holt, Jr. won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bill Spadea (R), Ken Chazotte (Independent/Libertarian) and Daryl M. Brooks (Independent/Green) in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 12 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Rush D. Holt, Jr. incumbent	59.2%	171,691
	Republican	Bill Spadea	39.7%	115,014
	Independent/Libertarian	Ken Chazotte	0.5%	1,562
	Independent/Green	Daryl M. Brooks	0.5%	1,518
Total Votes				289,785

2002
On November 5, 2002, Rush D. Holt, Jr. won re-election to the United States House. He defeated DeForest "Buster" Soaries (R), Carl J. Mayer (Independent/Green), Thomas D. Abrams (Independent/Libertarian) and Karen Ann Zaletel (Independent/NJ Conservative) in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 12 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Rush D. Holt, Jr. incumbent	61%	104,806
	Republican	DeForest "Buster" Soaries	36.7%	62,938
	Independent/Green	Carl J. Mayer	1.1%	1,871
	Independent/Libertarian	Thomas D. Abrams	0.7%	1,259
	Independent/NJ Conservative	Karen Ann Zaletel	0.5%	839
Total Votes				171,713

2000
On November 7, 2000, Rush D. Holt, Jr. won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Dick Zimmer (R), Carl Mayer (I), John P. Desmond (I) and Worth Winslow (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, New Jersey District 12 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Rush D. Holt, Jr. incumbent	48.7%	146,162
	Republican	Dick Zimmer	48.5%	145,511
	Independent	Carl J. Mayer	1.9%	5,811
	Independent	John P. Desmond	0.4%	1,233
	Independent	Worth Winslow	0.4%	1,225
Total Votes				299,942

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in New Jersey after the 2020 census

The New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Commission enacted a new congressional map on December 22, 2021. This map took effect for New Jersey's 2022 congressional elections. The commission voted 7-6 to approve the Democratic map proposal, with all six Democratic members and the tiebreaker, former New Jersey Supreme Court Judge John Wallace voting to approve. All six Republican members of the commission voted against the map.

How does redistricting in New Jersey work? In New Jersey, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by two distinct politician commissions. The congressional redistricting commission comprises the following 13 members:

1. The majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the New Jersey State Legislature appoint two commissioners a piece (for a total of eight members).
2. The chairs of the state's two major political parties each appoint two members to the commission (for a total of four members). Commissioners appointed by the political parties cannot be members of Congress or congressional employees.
3. The first 12 commissioners appoint the last member. This member cannot have held public office in the state within the previous five-year period. If the first 12 commissioners cannot agree on an appointment, they must submit two names to the New Jersey Supreme Court. The court must then appoint the final commissioner.

If the congressional redistricting commission fails to reach an agreement about a redistricting plan, it must submit two plans to the state Supreme Court, which must in turn select from those two plans a final map.

The state legislative redistricting commission comprises 10 members. The chairs of the state's two major political parties each appoint five members to the commission. In the event that this commission is unable to reach an agreement about a redistricting plan, the state Supreme Court may appoint a tie-breaking member.

State law requires that state legislative districts meet the following criteria:

1. Districts must be contiguous.
2. Districts "must be as nearly compact as possible."
3. Municipalities "must be kept intact, except where otherwise required by law."

There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.

New Jersey District 12
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

New Jersey District 12
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 12th Congressional District of New Jersey after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in New Jersey after the 2010 census

In 2011, the New Jersey State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+13. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 13 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New Jersey's 12th the 105th most Democratic district nationally.

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+12. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 12 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New Jersey's 12th the 114th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 66.6%-32.1%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+12. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 12 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New Jersey's 12th the 113th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 66.6% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 32.1%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+16. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 16 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New Jersey's 12th Congressional District the 85th most Democratic nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.92. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.92 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in New Jersey
• New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2024
• New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2022
• New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2020
• New Jersey's 12th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 12

Footnotes

[show]

New Jersey's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Cory Booker (D)

Andrew Kim (D)

Representatives

District 1

Donald Norcross (D)

District 2

Jeff Van Drew (R)

District 3

Herbert Conaway (D)

District 4

Chris Smith (R)

District 5

Josh Gottheimer (D)

District 6

Frank Pallone (D)

District 7

Thomas Kean (R)

District 8

Robert Menendez (D)

District 9

Nellie Pou (D)

District 10

LaMonica McIver (D)

District 11

Mikie Sherrill (D)

District 12

Bonnie Coleman (D)

Democratic Party (11)

Republican Party (3)