George Sebastian Silzer ran with the backing of Jersey City boss Frank Hague and as a firm opponent of Prohibition.

The race was a two-way contest between Silzer and William E. Tuttle Jr. until Tuttle abruptly withdrew in early September, citing his health and leaving both candidates unopposed in their respective primaries.

The uncontested primary was largely uneventful until August, when a member of the Democratic State Committee accused Runyon, a supporter of Prohibition, of delivering a speech in Collingswood under the influence of alcohol.

Both Democratic candidates were in attendance at the event and personally rebuked the claim, which the committeewoman, Katharine McTague Donges, denied making.

Runyon demanded a full retraction, threatening a libel suit against Donges.