William J. Hamilton

William J. Hamilton Jr. (December 26, 1932 – October 10, 2019) was an American Democratic Party politician from New Jersey, who served in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature, where he represented Middlesex County. He was Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 1977 session.

William J. Hamilton
Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 17th Legislative District
In office
January 10, 1978  January 12, 1982
Preceded byJohn A. Lynch Sr.
Succeeded byJohn A. Lynch Jr.
Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly
In office
1977
Preceded byJoseph A. LeFante
Succeeded byChristopher Jackman
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
In office
January 11, 1972  January 10, 1978
Preceded byRobert K. Haelig
Succeeded byDavid C. Schwartz
ConstituencyDistrict 7A (1972–74)
17th district (1974–78)
Personal details
Born(1932-12-26)December 26, 1932
New Brunswick, New Jersey
DiedOctober 10, 2019(2019-10-10) (aged 86)
Political partyDemocratic

Biography

Hamilton was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey to William J. Hamilton and May V. Mulligan. After receiving a B.A. degree from Rutgers University in 1954, he served as a United States Naval Aviator, rising to the rank of Lieutenant, Junior Grade and later to Captain in the Reserves. In 1960 he received a J.D. from Georgetown University. He moved to Florida, where he was a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge John Milton Bryan Simpson (1960–1961) and an assistant U.S. attorney (1962–67).

Hamilton returned to New Brunswick, becoming a partner in the law firm of Hamilton and Mulligan. He served as New Brunswick director of municipal civil defense and disaster control in 1970. The following year he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly from District 7-A encompassing western Middlesex County. In 1973 following a statewide redistricting, he was reelected to the Assembly from the new 17th Legislative District in Middlesex and Somerset counties. Hamilton served three terms, becoming assistant majority leader in 1974 and majority leader for the 1976 session. He was named Speaker in January 1977, following the election of incumbent Joseph A. LeFante to the United States House of Representatives.

Hamilton's term as Speaker ended after his election to the New Jersey Senate, replacing John A. Lynch, Sr., in 1977. In 1981, rather than run for reelection, he sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey in that year's election. However his candidacy was hurt in its early stages when key Municipal Chairs in his home county of Middlesex declined to endorse him.[1] He stayed in the race and finished tenth in a field of thirteen. When his Senate term ended in 1982, he was succeeded in the 17th District senate seat by John A. Lynch Jr. and he returned to his New Brunswick law practice. He later became the city attorney of New Brunswick.

Hamilton married Barbara Brown in 1958, and the couple had four children. He resided in New Brunswick until his death on October 10, 2019 at the age of 86.[2]

References

  1. Wildstein, David (October 12, 2019). "William J. Hamilton, former Assembly Speaker, dies at 86". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  2. "William Hamilton Obituary - Somerset, NJ". Legacy.com. October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.

Sharp, James Roger and Nancy Weatherly Sharp. American Legislative Leaders in the Northeast, 1911-1994. Greenwood Press, 2000.

New Jersey Senate
Preceded by
John A. Lynch Sr.
Member of the New Jersey Senate for the 17th District
January 10, 1978 – January 12, 1982
Succeeded by
John A. Lynch Jr.
New Jersey General Assembly
Preceded by
Robert K. Haelig
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from District 7-A
January 11, 1972 – January 8, 1974
Served alongside: Peter P. Garibaldi
Succeeded by
District eliminated
Preceded by
District created
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 17th District
January 8, 1974 – January 10, 1978
Served alongside: Joseph D. Patero
Succeeded by
David C. Schwartz
Political offices
Preceded by
Joseph A. LeFante
Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly
1977 1977
Succeeded by
Christopher Jackman
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