Gerald Cardinale (February 27, 1934 – February 20, 2021) was an American Republican Party politician, who served in the

New Jersey New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...

State Senate In the United States, the state legislature is the legislative branch in each of the 50 U.S. states. A legislature generally performs state duties for a state in the same way that the United States Congress performs national duties at ...

from 1982 until his death in 2021, representing the 39th Legislative District. He also served one term in the

New Jersey General Assembly The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature. Since the election of 1967 (1968 session), the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts f ...

from 1980 until 1982. At the time of his death, he was the second-most senior senator in the state, behind

Richard Codey Richard James Codey (born November 27, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 53rd governor of New Jersey from 2004 to 2006. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the New Jersey Senate from 1982 to 2024 and as the President ...

, who also came to office in January 1982, but had served in the General Assembly since 1974. Cardinale was a delegate to the

Republican National Convention The Republican National Convention (RNC) is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1856 by the Republican Party in the United States. They are administered by the Republican National Committee. The goal o ...

1984 Events January * January 1 – The Bornean Sultanate of Brunei gains full independence from the United Kingdom, having become a British protectorate in 1888. * January 7 – Brunei becomes the sixth member of the Association of Southeas ...

1988 1988 was a crucial year in the early history of the Internet—it was the year of the first well-known computer virus, the Morris worm, 1988 Internet worm. The first permanent intercontinental Internet link was made between the United State ...

and

1992 1992 was designated as International Space Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 – Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General. * January 6 ** The Republ ...

and served as a Delegate to the New Jersey Republican State Platform Committee in 1983.

Early life

Cardinale was born in

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

on February 27, 1934. He studied chemistry at St. John's University, obtaining

Bachelor of Science A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, B.S., B.Sc., SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree that is awarded for programs that generally last three to five years. The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Scienc ...

in 1955. He subsequently earned a

D.D.S. A number of professional degrees in dentistry are offered by dental schools in various countries around the world. Degrees Dental degrees may include: Bachelor's degree * Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) * Bachelor's degree of Dentistry (BDS ...

from the

New York University College of Dentistry The New York University College of Dentistry is the dentistry school of New York University. As the third oldest dentistry school in the United States, it offers both graduate programs and clinical training in oral healthcare. History The College ...

in 1959. He was a

dentist A dentist, also known as a dental doctor, dental physician, dental surgeon, is a health care professional who specializes in dentistry, the branch of medicine focused on the teeth, gums, and mouth. The dentist's supporting team aids in provi ...

by profession, and he had an office in

Fort Lee, New Jersey Fort Lee is a Borough (New Jersey), borough at the eastern border of Bergen County, New Jersey, Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, situated along the Hudson River atop The Palisades (Hudson River), The Palisades. As of the 2020 Uni ...

. He resided in Demarest, where he served as

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...

from 1975 to 1979. He was also a trustee of the Demarest Public Schools Board of Education from 1967 to 1973, serving as its president from 1969 to 1971.

Political career

New Jersey Assembly

Before his service as State Senator, Cardinale spent one term in the

lower house A lower house is the lower chamber of a bicameral legislature, where the other chamber is the upper house. Although styled as "below" the upper house, in many legislatures worldwide, the lower house has come to wield more power or otherwise e ...

of the

New Jersey Legislature The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and ...

, the

General Assembly A general assembly or general meeting is a meeting of all the members of an organization or shareholders of a company. Specific examples of general assembly include: Churches * General Assembly (presbyterian church), the highest court of presby ...

, 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.Senator Cardinale's legislative web page

. Accessed March 20, 2008. He served in the Senate on the Commerce Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Legislative Oversight Committee. In 2018, Cardinale sponsored a bill alongside Senators

Paul Sarlo Paul Anthony Sarlo (born August 31, 1968) is an Italian-American construction industry executive and Democratic Party politician who has served in the New Jersey Senate since 2003, where he represents the 36th Legislative District. Sarlo is a ...

Kristin Corrado Kristin M. Corrado (born June 24, 1965) is an American Republican Party politician who has represented the 40th Legislative District in the New Jersey Senate since she was sworn into office on October 5, 2017. Before her appointment to the sen ...

Loretta Weinberg Loretta Weinberg (born February 6, 1935) is an American Democratic Party politician, who served as a member of the New Jersey Senate from 2005-2022, where she represented the 37th Legislative District. She also served as Senate Majority Leader ...

, 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. 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. After Cardinale's death in February 2021, Holly Schepisi won a Republican Party special convention over Robert Auth to fill the vacant senate seat and was sworn in on March 25, 2021.

Committee assignments

*Commerce *Judiciary

Campaign for Congress

After Congresswoman

Marge Roukema Margaret "Marge" Ellen Roukema (née Scafati; September 19, 1929 – November 12, 2014) was an American Republican Party (United States), Republican Party politician who represented New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 to 200 ...

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).

Personal life

Cardinale married Carole Petrullo in 1959. They attended the same

preschool A preschool (sometimes spelled as pre school or pre-school), also known as nursery school, pre-primary school, play school, is an school, educational establishment or learning space offering early childhood education to children before they ...

in Brooklyn, but only reconnected years later when three friends set them up on blind dates. They remained married for 62 years until his death. Together, they had five children: Marisa, Christine, Kara, Gary, and Nicole. Cardinale died on the morning of February 20, 2021, at the Pascack Valley Medical Center in

Westwood, New Jersey Westwood (known as "The Hub of the Pascack Valley") is a borough in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Westwood is part of the New York metropolitan area. Many of its residents regularly commute to New York City for work and leisur ...

. He was 86, and suffered a brief illness prior to his death that was not related to

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

. At the time of his death, he was running for re-election to a thirteenth term in the state senate. Cardinale's funeral was on February 24 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in

Tenafly, New Jersey Tenafly () is a borough in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 15,409, an increase of 921 (+6.4%) from the 2010 census count of 14,488, which in turn reflected an ...

. He was buried at Brookside Cemetery in

Englewood, New Jersey Englewood is a city in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Englewood was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from portions of Ridgefield Township and the remaining portions of Engle ...

Electoral history

New Jersey Senate

2017

In 2017 Cardinale faced a challenge from

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (Cyprus) (DCY) **Democratic Part ...

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 Bergen (, ) is a city and municipalities of Norway, municipality in Vestland county on the Western Norway, west coast of Norway. Bergen is the list of towns and cities in Norway, second-largest city in Norway after the capital Oslo. By May 20 ...

, and Passaic Counties by about 4,000 and 2,000 votes respectively.

2013

In a year that was good, electorally, for incumbent

Republicans, Cardinale won re-election by over 16,000 votes, and finishing with more than 60% of the vote in

and Passaic Counties.

2011

2011 re-redistricting put part of

Passaic County Passaic County ( or ) is a county in the U.S. state of New Jersey that is part of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the county was the state's eighth-most-populous county,

in the district. Democrats nominated Lorraine M. Waldes. Cardinale easily defeated Waldes.

2007

In his second closest election since 1981 at that point, Cardinale defeated Democratic nominee Joseph Ariyan by 5,000 votes.

2003

During the 2003 general election in

Democrats gained a majority in the State Senate for the first time since 1992, however Cardinale still won re-election easily.

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 Donald Thomas DiFrancesco (born November 20, 1944) is a retired American politician who served as the 51st governor of New Jersey from 2001 to 2002. He succeeded Christine Todd Whitman after her resignation to become Administrator of the Enviro ...

and the election of

James McGreevey James Edward McGreevey (born August 6, 1957) is an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the 52nd governor of New Jersey from 2002 until his resignation in 2004 amidst a sex scandal. McGreevey served in the New Jersey Genera ...

. Regardless, Cardinale won re-election in the then-safe Republican 39th District.

1997

In 1997 Incumbent Republican Governor

Christine Todd Whitman Christine Temple Whitman (; born September 26, 1946) is an American politician and author who served as the 50th governor of New Jersey from 1994 to 2001 and as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under President George W. Bush ...

barely squeaked out a re-election win over State Senator and Woodbridge Township Mayor

, Cardinale, who at this point was still serving as Deputy Majority Leader under the leadership of Majority Leader John O. Bennett and Senate President

, cruised to re-election.

1993

Cardinale who was serving as Majority Whip easily beat Democratic nominee Stephen Jaffe.

1991

In the 1991 election, Republicans gained an overwhelming Majority in the State Senate. Cardinale was made Majority Whip following the election.

1987

Cardinale easily won re-election to a third term in 1987.

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.

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.

New Jersey Assembly

1979

In 1979 Cardinale, again ran for

this time he won coming in first place.

1977

In 1977 Cardinale ran for

losing to Incumbent Harold Martin and newcomer Greta Kiernan.

United States House of Representatives

New Jersey Governor

References

External links

Senator Gerald Cardinale's Official Site

Senator Cardinale's legislative web page

* ''New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms'' *
2016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004

Gerry Cardinale campaign website

Senator S. Gerald Cardinale

Project Vote Smart Vote Smart, formerly called Project Vote Smart, is an American non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States. It covers candidates and elected offic ...

, - {{DEFAULTSORT:Cardinale, Gerald 1934 births 2021 deaths 20th-century American dentists 20th-century mayors of places in New Jersey 21st-century American dentists Mayors of places in New Jersey Republican Party members of the New Jersey General Assembly Republican Party New Jersey state senators New York University College of Dentistry alumni People from Demarest, New Jersey Politicians from Bergen County, New Jersey Politicians from Brooklyn School board members in New Jersey St. John's University (New York City) alumni 21st-century members of the New Jersey Legislature 20th-century members of the New Jersey Legislature