19th Legislative District (New Jersey)
Encyclopedia
New Jersey's
19th Legislative District is one of 40 in the state, covering the Middlesex County
municipalities of Carteret Borough
, Perth Amboy City
, Sayreville Borough
, South Amboy City
and Woodbridge Township
. As of the 2000 United States Census, the district had a population of 213,505.
There were no changes to the district made as part of the New Jersey Legislative redistricting in 2001
, based on the results of the 2000 United States Census.
and Hispanic
residents. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a better than 4 to 1 margin, with Republican registration percentage one of the lowest of any district statewide.
by Joseph Vitale
(D
, Woodbridge Township) and in the New Jersey General Assembly
by Craig Coughlin
(D, Fords
) and John S. Wisniewski
(D, Sayreville).
defeated incumbent senator John J. Fay, Jr.
, and went on to win election.
Alan Karcher
chose to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey
in 1989, and was replaced in the Assembly by future Governor Jim McGreevey
.
Having first been elected to the Assembly in 1973, George Otlowski
lost a three-way race for the two Assembly seats in the 1991 primary election. In the statewide Republican landslide in the 1991 general election, Weiss lost his Senate seat to Randy Corman
, while in the Assembly Stephen A. Mikulak
and Ernest L. Oros
defeated Democratic candidates Thomas J. Deverin
and Jay Ziznewski, putting Republicans in all three legislative seats in what had been described by The New York Times
as a "blue-collar and traditionally rock-solid Democratic district".
In the 1993 race, Jim McGreevey
won the Senate seat back for the Democrats over Randy Corman, with Republican incumbents Mikulak and Oros hanging on to their seats in the Assembly.
Democrats statewide saw a net gain of three seats in the Assembly in the 1995 elections, with two of the pickups coming in the 19th District where Arline Friscia
and John S. Wisniewski
knocked off the Republican incumbents Mikulak and Oros.
McGreevey stepped down from his Senate seat in 1997 to run for Governor of New Jersey and was replaced by Joseph Vitale
. After McGreevey's narrow loss to Republican Christine Todd Whitman
, The Record
reported speculation that Vitale would step down from the Senate and McGreevey would be named to the Senate seat, a rumor that McGreevey dismissed.
In the 2003 Democratic primary, Friscia lost the official endorsement of the Middlesex County Democratic Organization, which went instead to Perth Amboy
mayor Joseph Vas
, leading Friscia to switch her party affiliation and become a Republican. Friscia objected to being knocked off the party line, stating that "a history of women being knocked off tickets in Middlesex County" exists as "part of a long sad history of the Democratic Party disenfranchising qualified women". Vas and Wisniewski both won in the 2003 general elections.
On September 8, 2009, a special convention of Middlesex County Democratic Committee members selected Craig Coughlin
to appear on the general election ballot along with incumbent Wisniewski, and the two Democrats went on to win in the November general election.
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
19th Legislative District is one of 40 in the state, covering the Middlesex County
Middlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
municipalities of Carteret Borough
Carteret, New Jersey
Carteret is a borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 22,844.Carteret was created as the borough of Roosevelt on 11 April 1906, incorporating Woodbridge Township, and was a result of a referendum on 22 May 1906...
, Perth Amboy City
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Perth Amboy is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. The City of Perth Amboy is part of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 50,814. Perth Amboy is known as the "City by the Bay", referring to Raritan Bay.-Name:The Lenape...
, Sayreville Borough
Sayreville, New Jersey
Sayreville is a borough located on the Raritan River, near Raritan Bay in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 42,704....
, South Amboy City
South Amboy, New Jersey
South Amboy is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, on the Raritan Bay. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city population was 7,913.South Amboy, and Perth Amboy across the Raritan River, are collectively referred to as The Amboys...
and Woodbridge Township
Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
-Communities:Many distinct communities exist within Woodbridge Township. Several of these communities have their own ZIP codes, and many are listed by the United States Census Bureau as census-designated places, but they are all unincorporated areas and neighborhoods within the Township that,...
. As of the 2000 United States Census, the district had a population of 213,505.
There were no changes to the district made as part of the New Jersey Legislative redistricting in 2001
New Jersey Legislative Districts, 2001 redistricting
The members of the New Jersey Legislature are chosen from 40 electoral districts. Each district elects one Senator and two Assemblymen.New Jersey is one of only seven states with nested state legislative districts, in which two or more state House are coextensive with a single state Senate seat. In...
, based on the results of the 2000 United States Census.
Demographic characteristics
The district has a higher-than-average percentage of Asian AmericanAsian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
and Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
residents. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a better than 4 to 1 margin, with Republican registration percentage one of the lowest of any district statewide.
Political representation
The district is represented in the New Jersey SenateNew Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
by Joseph Vitale
Joseph Vitale
Joseph F. Vitale is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 1998, where he represents the 19th Legislative District...
(D
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, Woodbridge Township) and in the New Jersey General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
by Craig Coughlin
Craig Coughlin
Craig J. Coughlin is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2010, where he represents the 19th Legislative District....
(D, Fords
Fords, New Jersey
Fords is a census-designated place and unincorporated area within Woodbridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 15,032.-Geography:Fords is located at ....
) and John S. Wisniewski
John S. Wisniewski
John S. Wisniewski is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, where he represents the 19th Legislative District....
(D, Sayreville).
Election history
In the 1977 Democratic primaries, Laurence S. WeissLaurence S. Weiss
Laurence S. Weiss was a Hungarian-born American politician who served in the New Jersey Senate from 1978 to 1992, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County....
defeated incumbent senator John J. Fay, Jr.
John J. Fay, Jr.
John James Fay, Jr. was an American schoolteacher turned Democratic Party politician who served on the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and represented the 19th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1968 to 1974 and the New Jersey Senate from 1974 to 1978...
, and went on to win election.
Alan Karcher
Alan Karcher
Alan J. Karcher was an American Democratic Party politician whose highest office was Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly...
chose to run for the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey
Governor of New Jersey
The Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
in 1989, and was replaced in the Assembly by future Governor Jim McGreevey
Jim McGreevey
James Edward "Jim" McGreevey is an American Democratic politician. He served as the 52nd Governor of New Jersey from January 15, 2002, until he resigned from office at 11:59 pm on November 15, 2004. His term was set to expire on January 17, 2006...
.
Having first been elected to the Assembly in 1973, George Otlowski
George Otlowski
George John Otlowski was an American publisher turned Democratic Party politician who served on the Middlesex County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders for eight years, in the New Jersey General Assembly for 18 years, and as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey for...
lost a three-way race for the two Assembly seats in the 1991 primary election. In the statewide Republican landslide in the 1991 general election, Weiss lost his Senate seat to Randy Corman
Randy Corman
Randy Corman is an American Republican Party politician who served a single term in the New Jersey Senate, from 1992 to 1994, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County....
, while in the Assembly Stephen A. Mikulak
Stephen A. Mikulak
Stephen A. Mikulak is an American Republican Party politician who served two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, from 1992 to 1996, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County....
and Ernest L. Oros
Ernest L. Oros
Ernest L. Oros is an American Republican Party politician who served two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, from 1992 to 1996, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County....
defeated Democratic candidates Thomas J. Deverin
Thomas J. Deverin
Thomas J. Deverin was an American Democratic Party politician who served 11 terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, from 1970 to 1992, where he represented the 21st Legislative District until 1982, when redistricting following the 1990 United States Census relocated him to the 20th District...
and Jay Ziznewski, putting Republicans in all three legislative seats in what had been described by The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
as a "blue-collar and traditionally rock-solid Democratic district".
In the 1993 race, Jim McGreevey
Jim McGreevey
James Edward "Jim" McGreevey is an American Democratic politician. He served as the 52nd Governor of New Jersey from January 15, 2002, until he resigned from office at 11:59 pm on November 15, 2004. His term was set to expire on January 17, 2006...
won the Senate seat back for the Democrats over Randy Corman, with Republican incumbents Mikulak and Oros hanging on to their seats in the Assembly.
Democrats statewide saw a net gain of three seats in the Assembly in the 1995 elections, with two of the pickups coming in the 19th District where Arline Friscia
Arline Friscia
Arline M. Friscia is an American politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1996 to 2002, where she represented the 19th Legislative District...
and John S. Wisniewski
John S. Wisniewski
John S. Wisniewski is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, where he represents the 19th Legislative District....
knocked off the Republican incumbents Mikulak and Oros.
McGreevey stepped down from his Senate seat in 1997 to run for Governor of New Jersey and was replaced by Joseph Vitale
Joseph Vitale
Joseph F. Vitale is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 1998, where he represents the 19th Legislative District...
. After McGreevey's narrow loss to Republican Christine Todd Whitman
Christine Todd Whitman
Christine Todd "Christie" Whitman is an American Republican politician and author who served as the 50th Governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001, and was the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2003. She was New...
, The Record
The Record (Bergen County)
The Record is a newspaper in northern New Jersey. It has the second largest circulation of New Jersey's daily newspapers, behind The Star-Ledger. Owned by the Borg family since 1930, it is the flagship publication of the North Jersey Media Group. Stephen Borg is the publisher of The Record...
reported speculation that Vitale would step down from the Senate and McGreevey would be named to the Senate seat, a rumor that McGreevey dismissed.
In the 2003 Democratic primary, Friscia lost the official endorsement of the Middlesex County Democratic Organization, which went instead to Perth Amboy
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Perth Amboy is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. The City of Perth Amboy is part of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 50,814. Perth Amboy is known as the "City by the Bay", referring to Raritan Bay.-Name:The Lenape...
mayor Joseph Vas
Joseph Vas
Joseph Vas is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2004–2010, where he represented the 19th Legislative District. He did not seek re-election to the assembly in 2009. He also served as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey from 1990 to 2008...
, leading Friscia to switch her party affiliation and become a Republican. Friscia objected to being knocked off the party line, stating that "a history of women being knocked off tickets in Middlesex County" exists as "part of a long sad history of the Democratic Party disenfranchising qualified women". Vas and Wisniewski both won in the 2003 general elections.
On September 8, 2009, a special convention of Middlesex County Democratic Committee members selected Craig Coughlin
Craig Coughlin
Craig J. Coughlin is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2010, where he represents the 19th Legislative District....
to appear on the general election ballot along with incumbent Wisniewski, and the two Democrats went on to win in the November general election.
| Session | State Senate | Assembly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976-1977 | John J. Fay, Jr. John J. Fay, Jr. John James Fay, Jr. was an American schoolteacher turned Democratic Party politician who served on the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and represented the 19th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1968 to 1974 and the New Jersey Senate from 1974 to 1978... |
Alan Karcher Alan Karcher Alan J. Karcher was an American Democratic Party politician whose highest office was Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly... |
George Otlowski George Otlowski George John Otlowski was an American publisher turned Democratic Party politician who served on the Middlesex County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders for eight years, in the New Jersey General Assembly for 18 years, and as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey for... |
| 1978-1979 | Laurence S. Weiss Laurence S. Weiss Laurence S. Weiss was a Hungarian-born American politician who served in the New Jersey Senate from 1978 to 1992, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County.... |
Alan Karcher Alan Karcher Alan J. Karcher was an American Democratic Party politician whose highest office was Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly... |
George Otlowski George Otlowski George John Otlowski was an American publisher turned Democratic Party politician who served on the Middlesex County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders for eight years, in the New Jersey General Assembly for 18 years, and as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey for... |
| 1980-1981 | Alan Karcher Alan Karcher Alan J. Karcher was an American Democratic Party politician whose highest office was Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly... |
George Otlowski George Otlowski George John Otlowski was an American publisher turned Democratic Party politician who served on the Middlesex County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders for eight years, in the New Jersey General Assembly for 18 years, and as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey for... |
|
| 1982-1983 | Laurence S. Weiss Laurence S. Weiss Laurence S. Weiss was a Hungarian-born American politician who served in the New Jersey Senate from 1978 to 1992, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County.... |
Alan Karcher Alan Karcher Alan J. Karcher was an American Democratic Party politician whose highest office was Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly... |
George Otlowski George Otlowski George John Otlowski was an American publisher turned Democratic Party politician who served on the Middlesex County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders for eight years, in the New Jersey General Assembly for 18 years, and as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey for... |
| 1984-1985 | Laurence S. Weiss Laurence S. Weiss Laurence S. Weiss was a Hungarian-born American politician who served in the New Jersey Senate from 1978 to 1992, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County.... |
Alan Karcher Alan Karcher Alan J. Karcher was an American Democratic Party politician whose highest office was Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly... |
George Otlowski George Otlowski George John Otlowski was an American publisher turned Democratic Party politician who served on the Middlesex County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders for eight years, in the New Jersey General Assembly for 18 years, and as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey for... |
| 1986-1987 | Alan Karcher Alan Karcher Alan J. Karcher was an American Democratic Party politician whose highest office was Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly... |
George Otlowski George Otlowski George John Otlowski was an American publisher turned Democratic Party politician who served on the Middlesex County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders for eight years, in the New Jersey General Assembly for 18 years, and as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey for... |
|
| 1988-1989 | Laurence S. Weiss Laurence S. Weiss Laurence S. Weiss was a Hungarian-born American politician who served in the New Jersey Senate from 1978 to 1992, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County.... |
Alan Karcher Alan Karcher Alan J. Karcher was an American Democratic Party politician whose highest office was Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly... |
George Otlowski George Otlowski George John Otlowski was an American publisher turned Democratic Party politician who served on the Middlesex County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders for eight years, in the New Jersey General Assembly for 18 years, and as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey for... |
| 1990-1991 | Jim McGreevey Jim McGreevey James Edward "Jim" McGreevey is an American Democratic politician. He served as the 52nd Governor of New Jersey from January 15, 2002, until he resigned from office at 11:59 pm on November 15, 2004. His term was set to expire on January 17, 2006... |
George Otlowski George Otlowski George John Otlowski was an American publisher turned Democratic Party politician who served on the Middlesex County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders for eight years, in the New Jersey General Assembly for 18 years, and as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey for... |
|
| 1992-1993 | Randy Corman Randy Corman Randy Corman is an American Republican Party politician who served a single term in the New Jersey Senate, from 1992 to 1994, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County.... |
Stephen A. Mikulak Stephen A. Mikulak Stephen A. Mikulak is an American Republican Party politician who served two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, from 1992 to 1996, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County.... |
Ernest L. Oros Ernest L. Oros Ernest L. Oros is an American Republican Party politician who served two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, from 1992 to 1996, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County.... |
| 1994-1995 | Jim McGreevey Jim McGreevey James Edward "Jim" McGreevey is an American Democratic politician. He served as the 52nd Governor of New Jersey from January 15, 2002, until he resigned from office at 11:59 pm on November 15, 2004. His term was set to expire on January 17, 2006... |
Stephen A. Mikulak Stephen A. Mikulak Stephen A. Mikulak is an American Republican Party politician who served two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, from 1992 to 1996, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County.... |
Ernest L. Oros Ernest L. Oros Ernest L. Oros is an American Republican Party politician who served two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, from 1992 to 1996, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County.... |
| 1996-1997 | Arline Friscia Arline Friscia Arline M. Friscia is an American politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1996 to 2002, where she represented the 19th Legislative District... |
John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, where he represents the 19th Legislative District.... |
|
| 1998-1999 | Joseph Vitale Joseph Vitale Joseph F. Vitale is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 1998, where he represents the 19th Legislative District... |
Arline Friscia Arline Friscia Arline M. Friscia is an American politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1996 to 2002, where she represented the 19th Legislative District... |
John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, where he represents the 19th Legislative District.... |
| 2000-2001 | Arline Friscia Arline Friscia Arline M. Friscia is an American politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1996 to 2002, where she represented the 19th Legislative District... |
John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, where he represents the 19th Legislative District.... |
|
| 2002-2003 | Joseph Vitale Joseph Vitale Joseph F. Vitale is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 1998, where he represents the 19th Legislative District... |
Arline Friscia Arline Friscia Arline M. Friscia is an American politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1996 to 2002, where she represented the 19th Legislative District... |
John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, where he represents the 19th Legislative District.... |
| 2004-2005 | Joseph Vitale Joseph Vitale Joseph F. Vitale is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 1998, where he represents the 19th Legislative District... |
Joseph Vas Joseph Vas Joseph Vas is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2004–2010, where he represented the 19th Legislative District. He did not seek re-election to the assembly in 2009. He also served as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey from 1990 to 2008... |
John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, where he represents the 19th Legislative District.... |
| 2006-2007 | Joseph Vas Joseph Vas Joseph Vas is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2004–2010, where he represented the 19th Legislative District. He did not seek re-election to the assembly in 2009. He also served as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey from 1990 to 2008... |
John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, where he represents the 19th Legislative District.... |
|
| 2008-2009 | Joseph Vitale Joseph Vitale Joseph F. Vitale is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 1998, where he represents the 19th Legislative District... |
Joseph Vas Joseph Vas Joseph Vas is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2004–2010, where he represented the 19th Legislative District. He did not seek re-election to the assembly in 2009. He also served as Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey from 1990 to 2008... |
John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, where he represents the 19th Legislative District.... |
| 2010-2011 | Craig Coughlin Craig Coughlin Craig J. Coughlin is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2010, where he represents the 19th Legislative District.... |
John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski John S. Wisniewski is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, where he represents the 19th Legislative District.... |
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