Gerald Cardinale

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Gerald Cardinale bigraphy, stories - New Jersey State Senator

Gerald Cardinale : biography

February 27, 1934 –

Gerald Cardinale (born February 27, 1934) is an American Republican Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 1982, where he represents the 39th Legislative District. He is the second-most senior senator in the state, behind Richard Codey, who also came in office in January 1982.

Biography

Cardinale received a B.S. degree from St. John’s University (Chemistry) in 1955 and was awarded a D.D.S. from the New York University College of Dentistry in 1959. He is a dentist by profession, and he has his office in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Cardinale was born in New York City, and resides in Demarest., Project Vote Smart. Accessed November 23, 2007.

Before his service as State Senator, Cardinale spent one term in the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature, the General Assembly, from 1980 to 1981. Cardinale served as Mayor of Demarest from 1975 to 1979, and was a trustee of the Demarest Public Schools Board of Education from 1967 to 1973, serving as its President from 1969 to 1971.

Cardinale served in the State Senate as Deputy Majority Leader from 1994 to 2001, as Majority Whip from 1992 to 1993, as Assistant Minority Leader from 1987 to 1989 and as Minority Whip from 1985 to 1986., New Jersey Legislature. Accessed March 20, 2008. He serves in the Senate on the Commerce Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Legislative Oversight Committee.

He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1984, 1988 and 1992 and served as a Delegate to the New Jersey Republican State Platform Committee in 1983.

After Congresswoman Marge Roukema announced her retirement in 2002, she endorsed Cardinale as her successor in the Republican primary. However, Cardinale finished with 25%, a close third behind State Assemblyman Scott Garrett (the eventual winner, with 45%) and David C. Russo (who received 26% of votes cast).Kocieniewski, David. , The New York Times, June 5, 2002. Accessed March 30, 2008. "In the Republican primary to replace Representative Marge Roukema, who is retiring from her Fifth Congressional District seat, State Assemblyman E. Scott Garrett, defeated State Senator Gerald Cardinale, whom Mrs. Roukema had endorsed. With all precincts reporting, Mr. Garrett had 46 percent, to 25 percent for Mr. Cardinale and 26 percent for Assemblyman David C. Russo."Demasters, Karen. , The New York Times, June 9, 2002. Accessed November 23, 2007.

On February 13, 2012, Cardinale was the only legislator in the New Jersey Legislature to speak out against the bill for marriage equality on the day of the vote, and to also vote to oppose passage of bill supporting marriage equality in New Jersey.

District 39

Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The other representatives from the 39th District for the 2012-2013 Legislative Session are:, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 25, 2012.

  • Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, and
  • Assemblyman Robert Schroder

Election history