George A. Spadoro

George A. Spadoro is an American Democratic Party politician who served three terms as Mayor of Edison, New Jersey, and two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represented the 18th Legislative District.

Biography

Trained as a lawyer, he is a senior law partner in the law firm Spadoro and Hilson in Woodbridge, New Jersey. On January 1, 2008, Spadoro joined David Samson, the former New Jersey Attorney General as a partner in the law firm, Wolff & Samson.

Spadoro first ran for public office in 1978, challenging incumbent Democratic Congressman Edward J. Patten in the primary election and receiving 41% of the vote.[1]

Spadoro served as an Edison Township Councilman for eight years between 1981 and 1988, serving as Council President from 1987 through 1988.

From 1988 to 1991 (two terms), he represented District 18 in the New Jersey General Assembly. As Assemblyman, Spadoro sponsored the New Jersey Bias Crimes Act. He became Chairman of the State Assembly Transportation Authorities, Telecommunications, and Technology Committee. Spadoro was elected mayor of Edison Township in November 1993, taking office on January 1, 1994. He won a second term in 1997, defeating seven challengers. In the landslide victory, Spadoro received 14,081 votes. His nearest competitor, Republican Eileen Germain Teffenhart, received 5,782.[2]

Seeking a fourth term, he was defeated in the 2005 Democratic mayoral primary by Jun Choi.[3] Reasons cited for Spadoro's loss include a split in the local Democratic party,the loss of union support due to the approval of a Walmart retail store, a large turnout of first-time Asian voters due to the New Jersey 101.5 radio controversy. For more information on the election, see Edison, New Jersey#Election 2005.

George Spadoro has three children: Katherine Ann Spadoro, Emily Jasmine Spadoro "Jazzy", and Michael Seton Spadoro.

He is separated from his wife of 28 years, Catherine Miller Spadoro, a former actress and a founder of the Edison Arts Society. He re-married New York City bisiness women, Christina Desimone.

References

  1. ^ Barone, Michael; Grant Ujifusa, Douglas Matthews (1980). The almanac of American politics 1980: the Senators, the Representatives, the Governors--their records, states, and districts. E. P. Dutton and Company. p. 565. ISBN 0525930868. 
  2. ^ Pristin, Terry (November 5, 1997). "THE 1997 ELECTIONS: OTHER RACES; New Jersey Voters Pick Local Officials and Decide on Changes in Government". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/05/nyregion/1997-elections-other-races-new-jersey-voters-pick-local-officials-decide-changes.html. Retrieved January 23, 2010. 
  3. ^ "Choi Wins Big Upset in N.J.". AsianWeek. June 22, 2005.