David W Bowen Sr., a businessman, a real estate investor and public speaker, ran as an independent.

[26] Shelley Adler, an of counsel attorney and the widow of the former congressman, ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Thomas Sacks-Wilner, a medical doctor who was considering a bid for the Democratic nomination, declined to run.

Labor unions Organizations Labor unions Organizations Chris Smith Republican Chris Smith Republican In redistricting, the district lost all of its share of Burlington County, while gaining more of Republican-leaning Monmouth.

[3] Michael Cino, an oil executive who challenged Garrett in the Republican primary in 2006, ran again.

Jason Castle, an it executive and Marine; Adam Gussen, the deputy mayor of Teaneck; and Diane Sare, all ran for the Democratic nomination to challenge Garrett.

[47] Mark Quick, a former member of the Warren County Republican Committee who challenged Garrett as an Independent in 2010, had stated that he would run as a candidate of the Reform Party of New Jersey.

[65][66] At least two other candidates had announced in 2011 that they would seek the Democratic nomination, but withdraw in the months before the filing deadline: Jun Choi, the former mayor of Edison,[67] and Ed Potosnak, a chemistry teacher and entrepreneur who unsuccessfully ran for the seat in 2010.

On January 16, 2012, Potosnak announced that he was dropping out of the race to accept a position as executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.

[83] On June 5, 2012, in the Democratic primary for the special election, Payne's son, Donald Payne Jr., defeated Ronald C. Rice (son of State Senator Ronald Rice) and Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith.

[84] In the Democratic primary for the full term, held on the same day, Payne Jr. competed against Rice, Smith, State Senator Nia Gill, Cathy Wright, and Dennis Flynn.