NATIONAL ELECTION RETURNS : State-by-State Election Reports of Key Races and Issues : New Jersey

Democratic Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg defeated Republican Pete Dawkins, a retired Army general, Rhodes Scholar and ex-football hero and Heisman Trophy winner, surviving a nasty and expensive battle of negative campaign ads to win his second term.

At the same time, George Bush soundly defeated Michael S. Dukakis to claim the state’s 16 electoral votes.

With 54% of the precincts reporting, Bush had 952,472 votes, or 58%, and Dukakis had 679,956 votes, or 42%.

With 74% of precincts reporting, Lautenberg had 1,153,698, or 55%, and Dawkins had 957,731 votes, or 45%.

During a concession call from Dawkins, Lautenberg told his former opponent: “I know it was tough. You’re a tough competitor. I appreciate the graciousness.”

Then he added, “Maybe we can have coffee together sometime.”

Democrat Donald M. Payne became the state’s first black congressman with a landslide victory for the 10th District seat vacated by Democrat Peter Rodino, who is retiring after 40 years in the House. With 26% of the precincts in, Payne had 18,999 votes, or 82%, to 4,239 votes, or 18% for Republican Michael Webb.