Gerald H. Zecker
Encyclopedia
Gerald H. Zecker is an American
Republican Party
politician who served 18 years in the New Jersey General Assembly
, from 1984 to 2002, where he represented the 34th Legislative District. He also served as mayor of Clifton, New Jersey
from 1978 to 1982.
An insurance executive by profession, Zecker earned an undergraduate degree in business and accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University
. He served on Clifton's City Council from 1974 to 1986, on its planning board from 1976 to 1985 and was the city's mayor from 1978 to 1982.
Zecker was first elected to the Assembly in 1983, filling the seat occupied by Terry LaCorte, a one-term Republican incumbent who gave up his seat to mount an unsuccessful primary challenge to State Senator
Joseph L. Bubba. He served in the Assembly as Assistant Minority Leader in 1990, as Deputy Minority Leader in 1991, as Speaker Pro Tempore from 1992 to 1995 and as Deputy Speaker starting in 1996. Zecker served on the Education Committee and the Policy and Regulatory Oversight Committee.
In 1990, Zecker questioned the viability of the construction of the 20-mile long Passaic River Flood Tunnel
, saying that it could "be the biggest mistake we've ever made".
The Assembly overrode Governor of New Jersey
James Florio
's veto of legislation that would prevent insurance companies to use age, marital status, place of residence as sex as criteria in setting insurance rates, with Zecker arguing that the reason rural and suburban drivers pay lower rates than those in the Garden State's large cities because "cars in Newark
are stolen and wrecked in far greater numbers".
Zecker planned in August 1996 to introduce legislation that would allow Clifton to become the first city in the State of New Jersey to charge inmates for the costs of their incarceration.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Republican Party
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 who served 18 years 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...
, from 1984 to 2002, where he represented the 34th Legislative District. He also served as mayor of Clifton, New Jersey
Clifton, New Jersey
Clifton is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 84,136. The 2010 population represented an increase of 5,464 residents from its population of 78,672 in the 2000 Census, making it the state's 11th largest...
from 1978 to 1982.
An insurance executive by profession, Zecker earned an undergraduate degree in business and accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private university founded as a junior college in 1942. It now has several campuses located in New Jersey, Canada, and the United Kingdom.-Description:...
. He served on Clifton's City Council from 1974 to 1986, on its planning board from 1976 to 1985 and was the city's mayor from 1978 to 1982.
Zecker was first elected to the Assembly in 1983, filling the seat occupied by Terry LaCorte, a one-term Republican incumbent who gave up his seat to mount an unsuccessful primary challenge to 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...
Joseph L. Bubba. He served in the Assembly as Assistant Minority Leader in 1990, as Deputy Minority Leader in 1991, as Speaker Pro Tempore from 1992 to 1995 and as Deputy Speaker starting in 1996. Zecker served on the Education Committee and the Policy and Regulatory Oversight Committee.
In 1990, Zecker questioned the viability of the construction of the 20-mile long Passaic River Flood Tunnel
Passaic River Flood Tunnel
The Passaic River Flood Tunnel is a proposal for a flood relief tunnel from the central portion of the Passaic River basin in Passaic County, New Jersey in an area where a number of large tributary rivers join the Passaic River and severe flooding occasionally occurs...
, saying that it could "be the biggest mistake we've ever made".
The Assembly overrode 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...
James Florio
James Florio
James Joseph "Jim" Florio is a Democratic politician who served as the 49th Governor of New Jersey from 1990 to 1994, the first Italian American to hold the position...
's veto of legislation that would prevent insurance companies to use age, marital status, place of residence as sex as criteria in setting insurance rates, with Zecker arguing that the reason rural and suburban drivers pay lower rates than those in the Garden State's large cities because "cars in Newark
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...
are stolen and wrecked in far greater numbers".
Zecker planned in August 1996 to introduce legislation that would allow Clifton to become the first city in the State of New Jersey to charge inmates for the costs of their incarceration.