 By 1965, Musto was elected to the New Jersey State Senate.In 1970 he lost the city election to reform candidate William Meehan, and did not return to the mayoral seat until 1974, where he served in a second, non-consecutive term until the 1982 election.In 1972 Musto originated the North Hudson Council of Mayors, which was meant to offset Jersey City's "dominance" of county government.