Abscam

March 6, 2008 - 8:30am

Two close congressional races that could have changed history

In 1958, Democrat Alexander Feinberg and former GOP Assemblyman William Cahill faced off in the old first district for the seat of Republican Charles Wolverton, who was retiring after 32 years in Congress. A Democratic year nationally, Cahill held on for a 1,829 vote victory, 50%-49%. Had Cahill lost his congressional race, he probably would not have won election as Governor in 1969. (Feinberg, a Cherry Hill Democrat, became friends with the Senate candidate that year, Harrison Williams. More than two decades later, when Williams was indicted in the Abscam scandal, Feinberg was a co-defendant.)

The other race was a 1953 Special Election for the seat of Republican Clifford Case, who had resigned during his ninth year in office to become the president of The Fund for the Republic. (Case returned to politics one year later to win the U.S. Senate seat of retiring freshman GOP Senator Robert Hendrickson). Most observers at the time expected the Republican, Plainfield Mayor George Hetfield, to easily win Case's congressional seat. His Democratic opponent was a 33-year-old lawyer and World War II veteran who had already lost races for State Assembly in 1951 and Plainfield City Councilman in 1952, Harrison Williams.

There have been 3 comments posted in response to this story.

Contributors

Wally Edge

For Senate Labor Committee chair, guess is that Codey will pick Cunningham over Madden

If Paul Sarlo becomes the new Senate Judiciary Chairman when John Adler leaves for Washington in January, Senate President Richard Codey will ... >

Bob Torricelli

Torricelli on Barack Obama, America's 'last chance'

There's nothing more difficult to see than the history before your eyes. It sometimes takes generations to understand the significance of ... >

Michael Patrick Carroll

Taxes: the Backbone of the Economy

OK, he didn't say precisely that, but when the Chairman of the Budget Committee informs us that governmental spending is the key to prosperity, ... >

Debbie Holtz

Lights a bit dimmer for NJN?

The Star Ledger got it right last April when it gave a thumb's-up to the NJN management plan to wean “the state's only public ... >

Steve Lonegan

Defending the American Dream

The sub prime mortgage melt down and its ensuing financial “crisis” has tested the mettle of all of us who believe in and support the free ... >

Dr. Joseph Marbach

Public perceptions on the environment and energy issues

I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >

Rob Tornoe

Riding the coattails of the Steve Lipski story

To view a larger version of this cartoon, click here. >

Michael P. Riccards

Another New Deal

The media, which loves headlines and knows little history, is trying to sell President Elect Obama as another Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But that ... >

Joey Novick

'...And he’s from New Jersey!'

Whenever I get the chance to visit my parents in Florida when working a comedy gig down there, it’s like living in a “Seinfeld” episode. They ... >

Juan Melli

Why Stender never had a chance

In an election year driven by a hemorrhaging economy and an electorate hungry for an end to divisive politics, 7th Congressional District candidate ... >

Carla Katz

My mother wants you to vote for "sweet" Obama

A couple of weeks ago, my mother, Angelina Katz, did her second debate on behalf of Barack Obama. A debate? My mother? If you knew her, you’d be ... >

Patricia Quattrocchi

Bryant joins ranks of the exploding heads of NJ

Former State Senator Wayne Bryant got a smack on the back of the head from a jury of his peers today when they found him guilty of all eleven charges ... >