Marge Roukema
Encyclopedia
Margaret Scafati "Marge" Roukema (born September 19, 1929 in Newark, New Jersey
) represented New Jersey
in the U.S. House of Representatives for twenty-two years as a Republican
. No woman has served in Congress from New Jersey since Roukema left office.
A graduate of Montclair State College
, Roukema's first career was as a teacher
in the Ridgewood Public Schools
. She began her political career in the local board of education, becoming the vice president of the body in 1970. In 1980, she challenged three-term incumbent Democratic
Congressman Andrew Maguire
, and won in what was then the . She was one of several Republicans swept into office by Reagan's coattails
. After decennial redistricting
, Roukema's district was renumbered as the and became significantly more Republican than its predecessor. She was handily reelected in 1982 and nine more times after that with almost no opposition.
Roukema was a moderate Republican, as was the case with most Republicans from the Northeast. She faced little opposition until 1998, when State Assemblyman
Scott Garrett
, a considerably more conservative Republican, challenged her in the primary. Roukema managed to fight him off, and did so again in 2000.
With the prospect of another primary challenge from Garrett in 2002 (in a district made even more conservative on paper by redistricting), as well as facing the loss of her subcommittee chairs due to caucus term limits, the Ridgewood
Republican opted not to seek a 12th term and retired from politics. Garrett won the nomination with 45% of the vote and went on to win the seat, despite Roukema's refusal to endorse him; State Senator
Gerald Cardinale
, who Roukema endorsed in the primary to succeed her, came in third with 25% of the vote, behind State Assemblyman David C. Russo
with 26%.
She is an honorary board member of the National Organization of Italian American Women
.
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
) represented New Jersey
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...
in the U.S. House of Representatives for twenty-two years as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. No woman has served in Congress from New Jersey since Roukema left office.
A graduate of Montclair State College
Montclair State University
Montclair State University is a public research university located in the Upper Montclair section of Montclair, the Great Notch area of Little Falls, and Clifton, New Jersey. As of October 2009, there were 18,171 total enrolled students: 14,139 undergraduate students and 4,032 graduate students...
, Roukema's first career was as a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
in the Ridgewood Public Schools
Ridgewood Public Schools
The Ridgewood Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district serving students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade from suburban Ridgewood, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States....
. She began her political career in the local board of education, becoming the vice president of the body in 1970. In 1980, she challenged three-term incumbent Democratic
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...
Congressman Andrew Maguire
Andrew Maguire
Gene Andrew Maguire is the Executive Director of The GAVI Fund's Immunize Every Child Campaign. He was a Democratic politician who represented New Jersey's 7th congressional district from 1975 to 1981.-Biography:...
, and won in what was then the . She was one of several Republicans swept into office by Reagan's coattails
Reagan's coattails
Reagan’s coattails refers to the influence of Ronald Reagan’s popularity in elections other than his own, after the American political expression to “ride in on another’s coattails.” Chiefly, it refers to the “Reagan Revolution” accompanying his 1980 election to the U.S. Presidency. This victory...
. After decennial redistricting
Redistricting
Redistricting is the process of drawing United States electoral district boundaries, often in response to population changes determined by the results of the decennial census. In 36 states, the state legislature has primary responsibility for creating a redistricting plan, in many cases subject to...
, Roukema's district was renumbered as the and became significantly more Republican than its predecessor. She was handily reelected in 1982 and nine more times after that with almost no opposition.
Roukema was a moderate Republican, as was the case with most Republicans from the Northeast. She faced little opposition until 1998, when State Assemblyman
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...
Scott Garrett
Scott Garrett
Ernest Scott Garrett is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes much of the northwestern portion of the state...
, a considerably more conservative Republican, challenged her in the primary. Roukema managed to fight him off, and did so again in 2000.
With the prospect of another primary challenge from Garrett in 2002 (in a district made even more conservative on paper by redistricting), as well as facing the loss of her subcommittee chairs due to caucus term limits, the Ridgewood
Ridgewood, New Jersey
Ridgewood is a village in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the village population was 24,958. Ridgewood is an affluent suburban bedroom community of New York City, located approximately northwest of Midtown Manhattan.The Village of Ridgewood was...
Republican opted not to seek a 12th term and retired from politics. Garrett won the nomination with 45% of the vote and went on to win the seat, despite Roukema's refusal to endorse him; State Senator
New 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...
Gerald Cardinale
Gerald Cardinale
Gerald Cardinale is an American Republican Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 1982, where he represents the 39th Legislative District...
, who Roukema endorsed in the primary to succeed her, came in third with 25% of the vote, behind State Assemblyman David C. Russo
David C. Russo
David C. Russo is an American Republican Party politician, who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he has represented the 40th legislative district since 1990....
with 26%.
She is an honorary board member of the National Organization of Italian American Women
National Organization of Italian American Women
The National Organization of Italian American Women is an American sisterhood group founded in 1980 to represent Italian American women of varied professional and business backgrounds....
.