The 1913 United States Senate election in New Jersey was held on January 28, 1913. Republican incumbent Frank O. Briggs ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democratic judge and former U.S. representative William Hughes.
On September 24, 1912, direct "advisory" primaries were held. Hughes defeated former senator James Smith Jr. and John McDermitt of Newark for the Democratic nomination, while Briggs easily won the Republican nomination.[1] Thus, Hughes or Briggs stood likely to be elected Senator if their respective party won the 1910 fall legislative elections.
Briggs, died just a few months later on May 8, 1913. Hughes would not serve the complete term, dying January 30, 1918, just before the next scheduled election.