John F. McKeon, Jr. (born June 3, 1958 in Montclair, New Jersey) is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2002, where he represents the 27th legislative district, which covers the western portion of Essex County. He has served in the Assembly as Assistant Majority Whip in 2004 and 2005, and has been the Assistant Majority leader since 2006.[1]
McKeon serves in the Assembly on the Environment and Solid Waste Committee (as Chair) and on the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.[1]
During his first term in the Legislature, McKeon was the prime sponsor of the Assembly version of the laws requiring school districts to adopt anti-harassment policies, strengthening school bus driver background checks and revising the State’s laws concerning the release of wild animals, and was a prime sponsor of the Patients First Medical Malpractice Insurance reform legislation.
McKeon had served as the Mayor of West Orange, New Jersey from 1998 to 2010 when he retired and served on its Township Council from 1992-1998.[1]
For some time, he simultaneously held a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly and was West Orange Mayor. This dual position, often called double dipping, is allowed under a grandfather clause in the state law enacted by the New Jersey Legislature and signed into law by Governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine in September 2007 that prevents dual-office-holding but allows those who had held both positions as of February 1, 2008, to retain both posts.[2] On June 1, 2010, Robert Parisi took over the Mayoral position.
McKeon received a B.A. in 1980 from Muhlenberg College in History and was awarded a J.D. in 1983 from the Seton Hall University School of Law.[1]
Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The other representatives from the 27th District for the 2008-2009 Legislative Session are: