Caroline Casagrande
Encyclopedia
Caroline Casagrande is an American Republican Party
politician
, who has served in the New Jersey
General Assembly
since January 8, 2008, where she represents the 12th legislative district. She is the youngest assemblywoman ever elected in New Jersey.
, and grew up in nearby Spring Lake
. She graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School
, in Red Bank, New Jersey
, earned a B.S.
degree from Pennsylvania State University
with a major in Political Science. Casagrande was elected as Undergraduate Student Government president, where she worked to reduce the cost of student transportation around campus, improve student health care services, and protect students from dramatic tuition increases. She was awarded a J.D.
from Rutgers School of Law-Camden.
Casagrande currently lives in Colts Neck, New Jersey
with her husband, Stephen Chance, and sons, Harrison and Theodore.
and special counsel to Fair Haven
. Between semesters at Rutgers School of Law-Camden, she clerked at the Prosecutor's Office in Monmouth County and at the New Jersey Attorney General
's Office. While in college, Casagrande worked in the new democratic government of South Africa. In law school, performed pro bono legal services for bankruptcy filers in Camden, N.J. After graduating from law school, she clerked for New Jersey Superior Court
Judge Robert O'Hagan.
Casagrande has worked to improve the ethics and conflict of interest laws for elected and appointed public officials throughout the state of New Jersey. She has sought to provide financial stability to the public employee pension fund to protect future New Jersey taxpayers and public employee retirees. She also has provided innovative solutions to help New Jersey's economy recover from the recent recession and become a more business-friendly environment. Currently, Casagrande serves on the Visiting Nurses Association of Central Jersey's Board of Trustees. In 2010, she participated in an exchange program to Nepal as a delegate of the American Council of Young Political Leaders, an organization affiliated with the United States Department of State.
In 2011 Casagrande was redistricted to the 11th Legislative District
and is seeking re-election there together with Senator Jennifer Beck, who was also shifted out of the 12th district, and Assembly member Mary Pat Angelini
. They were the first trio of women to be elected as a team to the New Jersey Legislature
.
and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly
. The other representatives from the 12th District for the 2010-2011 Legislative Session are:
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...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, who has served in the 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...
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...
since January 8, 2008, where she represents the 12th legislative district. She is the youngest assemblywoman ever elected in New Jersey.
Early life and family
Casagrande was born in Point Pleasant, New JerseyPoint Pleasant, New Jersey
Point Pleasant is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 18,392...
, and grew up in nearby Spring Lake
Spring Lake, New Jersey
Spring Lake is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 2,993....
. She graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School
Red Bank Catholic High School
Red Bank Catholic High School is a four-year private coeducational Roman Catholic high school, located in Red Bank, New Jersey, under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton...
, in Red Bank, New Jersey
Red Bank, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,844 people, 5,201 households, and 2,501 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,639.1 people per square mile . There were 5,450 housing units at an average density of 3,055.0 per square mile...
, earned a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
with a major in Political Science. Casagrande was elected as Undergraduate Student Government president, where she worked to reduce the cost of student transportation around campus, improve student health care services, and protect students from dramatic tuition increases. She was awarded a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Rutgers School of Law-Camden.
Casagrande currently lives in Colts Neck, New Jersey
Colts Neck Township, New Jersey
Colts Neck is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 10,142.What is now Colts Neck Township was established by an act of the New Jersey Legislature as Atlantic Township on February 18, 1847, from portions of Freehold...
with her husband, Stephen Chance, and sons, Harrison and Theodore.
Legal career
Prior to being elected assemblywoman, Casagrande was a partner / attorney with the law firm of Menna, Supko & Casagrande in Shrewsbury, N.J. Casagrande has also served as municipal attorney to Manalapan TownshipManalapan Township, New Jersey
Manalapan Township is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 38,872. The name "Manalapan" comes from the Lenape word for "land of good bread or good land to settle upon."...
and special counsel to Fair Haven
Fair Haven, New Jersey
Fair Haven is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, along the Navesink River. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 6,121....
. Between semesters at Rutgers School of Law-Camden, she clerked at the Prosecutor's Office in Monmouth County and at the New Jersey Attorney General
New Jersey Attorney General
The Attorney General of New Jersey is a member of the executive cabinet of the state. The office is appointed by the Governor of New Jersey and term limited...
's Office. While in college, Casagrande worked in the new democratic government of South Africa. In law school, performed pro bono legal services for bankruptcy filers in Camden, N.J. After graduating from law school, she clerked for New Jersey Superior Court
New Jersey Superior Court
The Superior Court is the state court in the U.S. state of New Jersey, with state-wide trial and appellate jurisdiction. The Superior Court has three divisions: the Appellate Division is essentially an intermediate appellate court while the Law and Chancery Divisions function as trial courts...
Judge Robert O'Hagan.
New Jersey State Assemblywoman
In 2007, Casagrande ran on the Republican ticket for New Jersey State Assemblywoman of the 12th district alongside Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon. She defeated an incumbent Assemblyman, and became the youngest woman to ever be elected to the New Jersey General Assembly. Casagrande serves in the Assembly on the Judiciary Committee, State Government Committee and the Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committees.Casagrande has worked to improve the ethics and conflict of interest laws for elected and appointed public officials throughout the state of New Jersey. She has sought to provide financial stability to the public employee pension fund to protect future New Jersey taxpayers and public employee retirees. She also has provided innovative solutions to help New Jersey's economy recover from the recent recession and become a more business-friendly environment. Currently, Casagrande serves on the Visiting Nurses Association of Central Jersey's Board of Trustees. In 2010, she participated in an exchange program to Nepal as a delegate of the American Council of Young Political Leaders, an organization affiliated with the United States Department of State.
In 2011 Casagrande was redistricted to the 11th Legislative District
New Jersey Legislative Districts, 2011 apportionment
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...
and is seeking re-election there together with Senator Jennifer Beck, who was also shifted out of the 12th district, and Assembly member Mary Pat Angelini
Mary Pat Angelini
Mary Pat Angelini is an American Republican Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008, where she represents the 11th legislative district....
. They were the first trio of women to be elected as a team to the New Jersey Legislature
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 Senate...
.
Awards and distinctions
- Today's Youth Asia Young Achievers Award (2010)
- Pennsylvania State University Alumni Achievement Award (2010)
- St. Catharine School Distinguished Graduate (2010)
- NFIBNational Federation of Independent BusinessThe National Federation of Independent Business is a lobbying organization with its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee and offices in Washington, D.C. USA, and in all 50 state capitals...
Guardian of Small Business Award (2010)
District 12
Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative 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...
and two members 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...
. The other representatives from the 12th District for the 2010-2011 Legislative Session are:
- Senator Jennifer Beck, and
- Assemblyman Declan O'ScanlonDeclan O'ScanlonDeclan Joseph O'Scanlon, Jr. is an American Republican Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008, where he represents the 12th legislative district....
Electoral history
External links
- Assemblywoman Casagrande's legislative webpage, New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey LegislatureThe 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 Senate...
- Official 12th Legislative District website
- New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms - 2010 2009 2008 2007
- Assembly Member Caroline C. Casagrande, Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...