Gerald Cardinale
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. Cardinale also served one term in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1980 until 1982. He is the second-most senior senator in the state, behind Richard Codey, who also came in office in January 1982, but had served in the General Assembly since 1974. 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.[4]
Gerald Cardinale | |
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Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 39th district | |
Assumed office January 12, 1982 | |
Preceded by | Frank Herbert |
Deputy Majority Leader of the New Jersey Senate | |
In office January 11, 1994 – January 8, 2002 | |
Leader | Donald DiFrancesco[1] |
Succeeded by | Wayne R. Bryant[2] |
Majority Whip of the New Jersey Senate | |
In office January 14, 1992 – January 11, 1994 | |
Leader | Donald DiFrancesco |
Succeeded by | John A. Girgenti 2004[3] |
Assistant Minority Leader of the New Jersey Senate | |
In office January 13, 1987 – January 10, 1989 | |
Leader | James R. Hurley |
Minority Whip of the New Jersey Senate | |
In office January 8, 1985 – January 13, 1987 | |
Leader | S. Thomas Gagliano |
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 39th district | |
In office January 8, 1980 – January 12, 1982 | |
Preceded by | Greta Kiernan Harold Martin |
Succeeded by | Joan M. Wright |
Personal details | |
Born | Brooklyn, New York, US | February 27, 1934
Political party | Republican |
Residence | Demarest, New Jersey |
Alma mater | St. John's University (BS) New York University (DDS) |
Occupation | Legislator |
Website | Legislative Webpage |
Personal and early life
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.[4] Cardinale was born in New York City, and resides in Demarest.[5] Cardinale served as Mayor of Demarest, New Jersey 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.[4]
New Jersey Assembly
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.
New Jersey Senate
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.[4] He serves in the Senate on the Commerce Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Legislative Oversight Committee.[4]
Tenure
In 2018 Cardinale sponsored e a bill alongside Senators Paul Sarlo, Kristin Corrado, Loretta Weinberg, and Joseph Lagana that would push a special election to the following year if a vacancy for the County Sheriff, Clerk, or Surrogate posts if the vacancy occurs 70 days before election day.[6] In March 2019 Cardinale expressed his opposition to marijuana legalization. He called the social justice argument in favor of legalization "B.S." as well as saying it wouldn't solve the budget problems that those in favor of legalization have argued.[7]
Committee assignments
- Commerce[8]
- Judiciary
Campaign for Congress
After 5th District 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).[9][10]
District 39
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Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. New Jersey's 39th Legislative District encompasses parts of Bergen, Passaic Counties. The current representatives from the 39th District to the 219th New Jersey Legislature are:
- Senator Gerald Cardinale (R)
- Assemblyman Robert Auth (R)
- Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi (R)
Electoral history
2017
In 2017 Cardinale faced a challenge from Democrat Linda H. Schwager and Libertarian James Tosone. In his second closest election in that district since 1981 he beat Schwager by over 4,000 votes. Cardinale won Bergen, and Passaic Counties by about 4,000 and 2,000 votes respectively.[11]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale (Incumbent) | 33,752 | 52.8% | ![]() | |
Democratic | Linda H. Schwager | 29,631 | 46.3% | ![]() | |
Libertarian | James Tosone | 574 | 0.9% | ![]() | |
Total votes | '63,957' | '100.0%' |
2013
In a year that was good, electorally, for incumbent State Senate Republicans, Cardinale won re-election by over 16,000 votes, and finishing with more than 60% of the vote in Bergen and Passaic Counties.[13]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale (Incumbent) | 37,836 | 63.6% | ![]() | |
Democratic | Jane “Jan” Bidwell | 21,616 | 36.4% | ![]() | |
Total votes | '59,452' | '100.0%' |
2011
2011 re-redistricting put part of Passaic County in the district. Democrats nominated Lorraine M. Waldes. Cardinale easily defeated Waldes.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale (Incumbent) | 28,041 | 63.5% | |
Democratic | Lorraine M. Waldes | 16,097 | 36.5% | |
Total votes | 44,138 | 100.0 |
2007
In his second closest election since 1981 at that point, Cardinale defeated Democratic nominee Joseph Ariyan by 5,000 votes.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale (Incumbent) | 27,623 | 55.4% | ![]() | |
Democratic | Joseph Ariyan | 22,272 | 44.6% | ![]() | |
Total votes | '48,895' | '100.0' |
2003
During the 2003 general election in New Jersey Democrats gained a majority in the State Senate for the first time since 1992, however Cardinale still won re-election easily.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale (Incumbent) | 30,718 | 62.3 | ![]() | |
Democratic | Richard Muti | 18,605 | 37.7 | ![]() | |
Total votes | '49,323' | '100.0' |
2001
In 2001, Republicans lost two seats in the State Senate making the partisan makeup a 20–20 split. Republicans lost the Governorship with the retirement of Governor Donald DiFrancesco and the election of James McGreevey. Regardless, Cardinale won re-election in the then-safe Republican 39th District.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale (Incumbent) | 42,717 | 62.9 | |
Democratic | Alan Baskin | 24,543 | 36.2 | |
Conservative | George E. Soroka | 616 | 0.9 | |
Total votes | 67,876 | 100.0 |
1997
In 1997 Incumbent Republican Governor Christine Todd Whitman barely squeaked out a re-election win over State Senator and Woodbridge Township Mayor James McGreevey, Cardinale, who at this point was still serving as Deputy Majority Leader under the leadership of Majority Leader John O. Bennett and Senate President Donald DiFrancesco, cruised to re-election.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale (Incumbent) | 46,424 | 66.3 | ![]() | |
Democratic | Ilan Plawker | 22,466 | 32.1 | ![]() | |
Conservative | Michael W. Koontz | 1,166 | 1.7 | N/A | |
Total votes | '70,056' | '100.0' |
1993
Cardinale who was serving as Majority Whip easily beat Democratic nominee Stephen Jaffe.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale (Incumbent) | 48,803 | 62.5 | ![]() | |
Democratic | Stephen H. Jaffe | 29,268 | 37.5 | ![]() | |
Total votes | '78,071' | '100.0' |
1991
In the 1991 election, Republicans gained an overwhelming Majority in the State Senate. Cardinale was made Majority Whip following the election.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale (Incumbent) | 37,135 | 66.9 | |
Democratic | Mary Donohue | 18,336 | 33.1 | |
Total votes | 55,471 | 100.0 |
1987
Cardinale easily won re-election to a third term in 1987.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale (Incumbent) | 31,585 | 67.1 | ![]() | |
Democratic | Louis B. Redisch | 15,499 | 32.9 | ![]() | |
Total votes | '47,084' | '100.0' |
1983
In what was Cardinale's closest election since 1981 he faced now former State Senator Francis X. Herbert, who lost by a little under 2,000 votes.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale (Incumbent) | 27,199 | 51.2 | ![]() | |
Democratic | Francis X. Herbert | 25,942 | 48.8 | ![]() | |
Total votes | '53,141' | '100.0' |
1981
Then an Assemblyman, Cardinale ran for State Senate for the first time against incumbent Democratic State Senator Frank Herbert, Cardinale beat him by a wide margin.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale | 38,929 | 58.2 | |
Democratic | Francis X. Herbert (Incumbent) | 27,948 | 41.8 | |
Total votes | 66,877 | 100.0 |
1979
In 1979 Cardinale, again ran for General Assembly this time he won coming in first place.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Gerald Cardinale | 27,608 | 28.1 | ![]() | |
Republican | John W. Markert | 27,450 | 28.0 | ![]() | |
Democratic | Greta Kiernan (Incumbent) | 21,425 | 21.8 | ![]() | |
Democratic | Harold Martin (Incumbent) | 20,577 | 21.0 | ![]() | |
Libertarian | Henry Koch | 809 | 0.8 | ![]() | |
U.S. Labor | Elliot Greenspan | 308 | 0.3 | ![]() | |
Total votes | '98,177' | '100.0' |
1977
In 1977 Cardinale ran for General Assembly losing to Incumbent Harold Martin and newcomer Greta Kiernan.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Harold Martin | 28,105 | 26.1 | ![]() | |
Democratic | Greta Kiernan | 28,026 | 26.0 | ![]() | |
Republican | Gerald Cardinale | 25,087 | 23.3 | ![]() | |
Republican | John F. Inganamort | 25,041 | 23.3 | ![]() | |
Libertarian | Henry Koch | 681 | 0.6 | N/A | |
Libertarian | William J. Zelko, Jr. | 432 | 0.4 | N/A | |
U.S. Labor | Elliot Greenspan | 276 | 0.3 | N/A | |
Total votes | '107,648' | '100.0' |
United States House of Representatives
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Scott Garrett | 16,234 | 44.9% | |
Republican | David C. Russo | 9,229 | 25.7% | |
Republican | Gerald Cardinale | 9,109 | 25.5 | |
Republican | Akram Yosri Abdelrahman | 773 | 2.1 | |
Republican | Brian Fox | 665 | 1.8 |
New Jersey Governor
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | James A. Courter | 112,326 | 29.0% | |
Republican | W. Cary Edwards | 85,313 | 22.0% | |
Republican | Chuck Hardwick | 82.392 | 21.2% | |
Republican | William Gormley | 66,430 | 17.1% | |
Republican | Gerald Cardinale | 32,250 | 8.3% | |
Republican | Tom Blomquist | 3,791 | 0.9% | |
Republican | Lois Rand | 2,553 | 0.6% |
References
- "New Jersey Legislature". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 3 July 2002. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- "New Jersey Legislature". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 3 July 2002. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- "New Jersey Legislature". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 3 July 2002. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- Senator Cardinale's legislative web page, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed March 20, 2008.
- Senator S. Gerald Cardinale, Project Vote Smart. Accessed November 23, 2007.
- "Senate looks to close Saudino loophole". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- "Statements on Marijuana Legalization". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- "Gerald Cardinale (R)". New Jersey Legislature. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- Kocieniewski, David. "Forrester to Represent G.O.P. in Race to Unseat Torricelli", 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. "Briefing: Politics; Primary Results", The New York Times, June 9, 2002. Accessed November 23, 2007.
- {{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=830768%7Carchive-url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=830768%7Curl-status=dead%7Ctitle=NJ State Senate 39|work=Our Campaigns|access-date=9 February 2020
- {{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205042116/http://nj.gov/state/elections/2017-results/2017-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf%7Ctitle=2017-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf%7Cwork=Wayback Machine|access-date=9 February 2020
- "NJ State Senate 39". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- "2013-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- "2011-official-gen-elect-state-senate-results-121411.pdf" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- "2007-official-general-election-tallies(ss)-12.3.07.pdf" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "2003g_s_candidate_tally.pdf" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "2001-general-elect-state-senate-tallies.pdf" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "1997-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "1993-general-election-results-state-sen-gen-assembly.pdf" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "1991-general-election-results-st-senate-gen-assembly.pdf" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "1987-general-election-results-state-senate-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "1983-general-results-senate-gen-assembly.pdf" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "1979-general-election.pdf" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 April 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "1977-general-election.pdf" (PDF). Wayback Machine. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "NJ District 5 - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- "NJ Governor - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
External links
- Senator Gerald Cardinale's Official Site
- Senator Cardinale's legislative web page, New Jersey Legislature
- New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms
- Gerry Cardinale campaign website
- Senator S. Gerald Cardinale, Project Vote Smart
New Jersey Senate | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Frank Herbert |
Member of the New Jersey Senate for the 39th District January 12, 1982 – present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
New Jersey General Assembly | ||
Preceded by Greta Kiernan Harold Martin |
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 39th District January 8, 1980 – January 12, 1982 With: John Markert |
Succeeded by Joan M. Wright |