Joseph Kyrillos

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Joseph M. Kyrillos, Jr. (born April 12, 1960 in Kearny, New Jersey) is a New Jersey politician. He has served as a State Senator, State Assemblyman, and as the New Jersey Republican State Chairman.

Kyrillos grew up in Middletown, New Jersey and attended Rumson Country Day School and the Lawrenceville School. He is a 1982 graduate of Hobart College and received a masters degree from Boston University. He is a Lebanese-American.

He was the Field Director of Marie Muhler's campaign for Congress in 1982 against Democratic Rep. James J. Howard. He worked on the Reagan-Bush '84 re-election campaign and went to Washington as a Special Assistant to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Donald P. Hodel.

Kyrillos was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1987, winning an open seat. Kyrillos and incumbent Joann Smith defeated two former legislators, William Flynn and Jacqueline Walker, in a district that included parts of Monmouth and Middlesex counties. He was re-elected in 1989.

In 1991, Kyrillos ran for the New Jersey State Senate. After the primary, the Democratic incumbent, Richard Van Wagner, resigned to take a state job. James Phillips was appointed to fill the seat, but lost the General Election to Kyrillos. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2003.

Kyrillos was the Republican nominee for Congress in 1992, but was defeated by the Democratic incumbent, Frank Pallone.

He was the New Jersey Republican State Chairman from 2001 to 2004.

Kyrillos currently sits on both the Senate Judiciary and Economic Growth Committees. He was Majority Conference Leader from 1997-2002.

Some of Senator Kyrillos' major legislative accomplishments during his tenure in the Legislature include sponsorship of the Business Employment Incentive Program to stimulate job creation and cover the costs for businesses moving to the Garden State. Utility reform to help keep costs down for businesses and individuals by increasing competition. Lawsuit , or tort, reform to curb frivolous and wasteful lawsuits that tie up the courts and waste taxpayer money. On the environmental front, Senator Kyrillos sponsored the Green Acres Bond Act of 1995 for open space and clean lakes, including for the first time Blue Acres funding for coastal land preservation, beach access and storm protection. Additionally, he is the primary senate sponsor of the Environmental Infrastructure Trust, legislation promoting eco-tourism in New Jersey, and has fought for a stable source of shore protection funding as well as closing CAFRA loopholes permitting inappropriate coastal development. Senator Kyrillos was a major force behind the College Savings Plan that will help thousands of New Jersey families afford college for their children by offering tax incentives, investment alternatives and tax exempt trusts. Senator Kyrillos also helped establish the School Report Card to enhance accountability in our schools and the High School Proficiency Test to ensure that students graduate with basic skills and knowledge.

In addition to his legislative duties, Kyrillos is employed as Director of GVA Williams Real Estate, a commercial real estate services firm based in Parsippany.

He lives in Middletown with his wife, Susan Doctorian, and their two children.

Preceded by James T. Phillips	New Jersey State Senator, District 13 1991– date	Succeeded by incumbent
Preceded by Joseph Azzolina	New Jersey State Assemblyman, District 13 1987– 1991	Succeeded by Joseph Azzolina
Preceded by Chuck Haytaian	Chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee 2001– 2004	Succeeded by Tom Wilson
Preceded by Paul Kapalko	Republican Nominee for the Congress from the 6th District of New Jersey 1992	Succeeded by Steve Corodemus