Joseph J. Roberts

Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. (born July 14, 1952) is an American Democratic Party politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1987 to 2010, where he represented the 5th Legislative District. He was Speaker of the Assembly from 2006–2010.

Joseph J. Roberts, Jr.
168th Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly
In office
January 10, 2006  January 12, 2010
GovernorRichard Codey
Jon Corzine
Preceded byAlbio Sires
Succeeded bySheila Oliver
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the 5th district
In office
July 28, 1987  January 12, 2010
Preceded byFrancis J. Gorman
Succeeded byAngel Fuentes
Donald Norcross
Personal details
Born (1952-07-14) July 14, 1952
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materRutgers University (B.A.)
University of Pennsylvania (M.A.)

Biography

Roberts graduated with a B.A. in political science from Rutgers University and received an M.A. in administration from the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. He served on the Bellmawr Board of Education from 1976–1977 and on the Bellmawr Borough Council from 1977–1980. He was the Chair of the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1980–1987.

Roberts was first elected to the General Assembly in 1987. He served as Assistant Minority Leader from 1994–1995, Minority Budget Officer from 1996–1998, and Majority Leader from 2002–2006. Roberts became the Assembly Speaker at the start of the 2006–2007 session, replacing Albio Sires who stepped down as Speaker at the end of the previous term. He served as Chair of the Legislative Services Commission. He has been a member of the Democratic National Committee since 2001 and was Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee from 2001–2002.

On September 2, 2009, Roberts announced he would not seek re-election to his Assembly seat.[1] On September 12, the Camden and Gloucester Democratic county committees held a special meeting to choose Roberts' replacement on the November general election ballot. They unanimously selected Donald Norcross, co-chairman of the Camden County Democratic Committee and brother of South Jersey political boss George Norcross.[2] Sheila Y. Oliver, the chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee, succeeded Roberts as Speaker.[3]

References

  1. "N.J. Speaker Joseph Roberts will not seek re-election". NewJerseyNewsroom.com. 2009-09-02. Archived from the original on 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
  2. "Norcross nominated to take Assembly seat being vacated by Roberts". Gloucester County Times. 2009-09-12. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  3. Sheila Oliver has the votes to become next Assembly speaker, politickernj.com; accessed December 1, 2014.
New Jersey General Assembly
Preceded by
Francis J. Gorman
New Jersey State Assemblyman - District 5
July 28, 1987 January 12, 2010
Served alongside: Wayne R. Bryant, Nilsa Cruz-Perez
Succeeded by
Angel Fuentes
Donald Norcross
Political offices
Preceded by
Paul DiGaetano
Majority Leader of the New Jersey General Assembly
2002 2006
Succeeded by
Bonnie Watson Coleman
Preceded by
Albio Sires
Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly
2006 2010
Succeeded by
Sheila Oliver
Party political offices
Preceded by
Thomas P. Giblin
Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee
June 2001 January 2002
Succeeded by
Bonnie Watson Coleman
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