[1] The caucus system is different from senatorial courtesy, which allowed any senator to block a gubernatorial appointment from his or her home county.
A 1962 special election to replace Crane attracted considerable statewide attention, since the winning party would then control the Senate.
The caucus system became an issue in the campaign between Republican assemblyman Nelson Stamler and Democrat H. Roy Wheeler, who supported eliminating the rule.
Republicans reinstated the caucus system rule after they won back control of the Senate in 1967.
The caucus system rule ended, but a faction of the Democratic majority led by Senator James P. Dugan (D-Jersey City), the incumbent Democratic state chairman, teamed with Republican senators to continue the practice of senatorial courtesy.