Raymond Zane
Encyclopedia
Raymond J. Zane is an American
Republican Party
politician
, who served in the New Jersey
State Senate
from 1974 to 2002, where he represented the 3rd Legislative District.
Zane earned his undergraduate degree from Saint Joseph's College with a major in business administration and earned his law degree from Rutgers School of Law—Newark
. He is an attorney by profession with the firm of Zane and Lozuke. Before serving in the New Jersey Legislature, Zane was a member of the Gloucester County, New Jersey
Board of Chosen Freeholders
from 1972 to 1974.
Zane served in the Senate as the Assistant Majority Leader from 1986 to 1989, as the Deputy Assistant Minority Leader from 1992 to 1998 and as Deputy Minority Leader starting in 1998. He served there on the Judiciary Committee and the Legislative Oversight Committee.
Zane had been elected to eight terms in office as a Democrat and announced his switch to the Republican Party in February 2001 at a news conference where he was joined by Acting Governor of New Jersey
Donald T. DiFrancesco and other party leaders. In a referback to Ronald Reagan
, Zane said that "I didn't leave the Democratic Party, but outgrew it." Zane criticized Democratic Party bosses in Camden County
and what he perceived as their efforts to bring "boss-style politics" into Gloucester County. Zane had been feuding with Gloucester County Democratic Party head Michael A. Angelini, and the feud had escalated to the point that Zane faced the prospect of a challenge in the Democratic primary from Stephen M. Sweeney
, then director of the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders. In response to Zane's departure from the Democratic Party, Angelini stated that "Ray Zane's career has always been about money", and claimed that Zane had switched parties because his law firm had lost county contracts to service municipalities and school districts. Zane had been earning close to $95,000 a year from contracts with the Deptford Township Schools
, the Gloucester County Vocational-Technical School District
, the Gloucester County Board of Social Services, and with the municipalities of Greenwich Township
, Paulsborp
and Penns Grove
. Starting in 2000, Zane's paid positions were gradually stripped away from him, including a $40,000 a year position with the Gloucester County Improvement Authority. The New York Times
reported on speculation that Angelini's opposition to Zane stemmed from Zane's relationship with Republican Assembly Speaker Jack Collins
and that Zane only offered "lukewarm support" to the Democratic challengers in the 3rd Legislative District
Zane went unchallenged in the Republican primary, but was defeated by Sweeney in the 2001 general elections by a margin of 51.5%-48.5%. Sweeney was aided by the strong support of Camden County Democratic head George Norcross III
in the Camden portion of the district. The race was the most expensive in New Jersey history at the time, totaling to $2.4 million dollars, with Sweeney spending $1.8 million to Zane's $624,000. It was the most expensive legislative race in the state until $4 million was spent in Fred H. Madden
's successful race to unseat George Geist
in 2003.
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
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, who 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...
State Senate
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...
from 1974 to 2002, where he represented the 3rd Legislative District.
Zane earned his undergraduate degree from Saint Joseph's College with a major in business administration and earned his law degree from Rutgers School of Law—Newark
Rutgers School of Law—Newark
Rutgers School of Law–Newark is the oldest of three law schools in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is located at the S.I. Newhouse Center for Law and Justice, at 123 Washington Street, in downtown Newark...
. He is an attorney by profession with the firm of Zane and Lozuke. Before serving in the New Jersey Legislature, Zane was a member of the Gloucester County, New Jersey
Gloucester County, New Jersey
Gloucester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 288,288. Its county seat is Woodbury....
Board of Chosen Freeholders
Board of Chosen Freeholders
In New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures in each of that state's 21 counties.- Origin :New Jersey's system of naming county legislators "freeholders" is unique in the United States...
from 1972 to 1974.
Zane served in the Senate as the Assistant Majority Leader from 1986 to 1989, as the Deputy Assistant Minority Leader from 1992 to 1998 and as Deputy Minority Leader starting in 1998. He served there on the Judiciary Committee and the Legislative Oversight Committee.
Zane had been elected to eight terms in office as a Democrat and announced his switch to the Republican Party in February 2001 at a news conference where he was joined by Acting 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...
Donald T. DiFrancesco and other party leaders. In a referback to Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, Zane said that "I didn't leave the Democratic Party, but outgrew it." Zane criticized Democratic Party bosses in Camden County
Camden County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census the population of Camden County was 60.28% Non-Hispanic white, 18.45% Non-Hispanic black, 1.12% Hispanic blacks, 0.17% Non-Hispanic Native American, 0.15% Hispanic Native Americans, 5.07% Non-Hispanic Asian, and 0.14% non-Hispanics reporting some other race...
and what he perceived as their efforts to bring "boss-style politics" into Gloucester County. Zane had been feuding with Gloucester County Democratic Party head Michael A. Angelini, and the feud had escalated to the point that Zane faced the prospect of a challenge in the Democratic primary from Stephen M. Sweeney
Stephen M. Sweeney
Stephen M. Sweeney is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 2002, where he represents the 3rd Legislative District. Sweeney also serves on the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders, a post he has held since 1997, and has been the...
, then director of the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders. In response to Zane's departure from the Democratic Party, Angelini stated that "Ray Zane's career has always been about money", and claimed that Zane had switched parties because his law firm had lost county contracts to service municipalities and school districts. Zane had been earning close to $95,000 a year from contracts with the Deptford Township Schools
Deptford Township Schools
The Deptford Township Schools are a comprehensive community public school district which serves students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade in Deptford Township, in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States....
, the Gloucester County Vocational-Technical School District
Gloucester County Vocational-Technical School District
The Gloucester County Vocational-Technical School District is a vocational public school district serving the vocational and educational needs of public high school in grades 9 to 12 and of adult students in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States....
, the Gloucester County Board of Social Services, and with the municipalities of Greenwich Township
Greenwich Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey
Greenwich Township is a township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 4,879....
, Paulsborp
Paulsboro, New Jersey
Paulsboro is a Borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 6,097....
and Penns Grove
Penns Grove, New Jersey
Penns Grove is a Borough in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 4,886.Penns Grove was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 8, 1894, from portions of Upper Penns Neck Township Penns Grove is a...
. Starting in 2000, Zane's paid positions were gradually stripped away from him, including a $40,000 a year position with the Gloucester County Improvement Authority. 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...
reported on speculation that Angelini's opposition to Zane stemmed from Zane's relationship with Republican Assembly Speaker Jack Collins
Jack Collins
Jack Collins may refer to:In Australia:* Jack A. Collins , Australian rules footballer for Melbourne* Jack L. Collins , Australian rules footballer for Geelong* Jack C...
and that Zane only offered "lukewarm support" to the Democratic challengers in the 3rd Legislative District
Zane went unchallenged in the Republican primary, but was defeated by Sweeney in the 2001 general elections by a margin of 51.5%-48.5%. Sweeney was aided by the strong support of Camden County Democratic head George Norcross III
George Norcross III
George Norcross III is an American insurance executive and a fundraiser for Democratic Party organizations in the south region of New Jersey.Norcross serves as Chairman of Conner Strong Companies, Inc....
in the Camden portion of the district. The race was the most expensive in New Jersey history at the time, totaling to $2.4 million dollars, with Sweeney spending $1.8 million to Zane's $624,000. It was the most expensive legislative race in the state until $4 million was spent in Fred H. Madden
Fred H. Madden
Fred H. Madden, Jr. is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 2004, where he represents the 4th Legislative District....
's successful race to unseat George Geist
George Geist
George F. Geist is an American Republican Party politician, who served in the New Jersey State Senate from 2003 to 2004, where he represented the 4th Legislative District. He had earlier served six terms in the General Assembly, from 1992 to 2003.Geist was appointed in May 2003 to fill the Senate...
in 2003.