Thomas H. Paterniti

Thomas H. Paterniti (born February 4, 1929)[1] is an American dentist and Democratic Party politician who served in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature, where he represented the 18th Legislative District. He served four terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, from 1980 to 1988, followed by a single term in the New Jersey Senate, from 1988 to 1992.

Biography

Paterniti was born in 1929 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He first won election to the General Assembly in 1979 together with fellow Democrat James Bornheimer. After Bornheimer ran successfully for the district's Senate seat, Paterniti and Frank M. Pelly won election in 1981, 1983 and 1985.[2]

In 1985, Paterniti introduced legislation in the Assembly that would require owners of adult bookstores to maintain a list of the names and addresses of their customers, stating that "it has been reported that homosexual activity has taken place at adult bookstores" and that the list could be used to help control the spread of AIDS by discouraging homosexual activity at these stores.[3][4] Under the terms of Paterniti's bill, store owners would be held liable if individuals contracted AIDS as a result of sexual activity on the premises.[5][6]

In the 1987 election, Paterniti ran for the New Jersey Senate, defeating incumbent Republican Peter P. Garibaldi.[7] In the campaign against Garibaldi, Paterniti argued that his opponent was double dipping, holding a seat in the Senate as well as serving as Mayor of Monroe Township, New Jersey. In 1987, Paterniti was elected as Mayor of Edison, New Jersey.[8]

In an October 1990 article, The New York Times had cited local criticism of Paterniti for holding onto three jobs simultaneously, as mayor and State Senator, while still maintaining an active dental practice. Paterniti insisted that there was no issue in his holding the multiple jobs,citing "the art of delegation and the ability to structure time properly".[9] In the June 1991 primaries, Paterniti lost the Democratic state senate nomination to lawyer Harry Pozycki of Metuchen, who in turn lost the general election to Republican Jack Sinagra.[8][10]

Paterniti ran for the Assembly in 1993 together with running mate Matthew Vaughn, losing to incumbent Republicans Harriet E. Derman and Jeffrey A. Warsh.[2] In 1997, Paterniti ran for the Senate again, losing to Sinagra by a margin of 58.5%-41.5%.[7]

References

  1. ↑
  2. 1 2 NJ Assembly 18 - History, OurCampaigns.com. Accessed July 5, 2010.
  3. ↑ Staff. "LEGISLATOR SEEKS TO CURB AIDS INTRODUCES BILL ON ADULT BOOKSTORES", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 19, 1985. Accessed July 5, 2010.
  4. ↑ Staff. "N.J. LEGISLATOR UNDAUNTED ON BILL ON AIDS", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 24, 1985. Accessed July 5, 2010.
  5. ↑ Staff. "ADULT BOOKSTORES LAW TAKES AIM AT AIDS", The Miami Herald, November 19, 1985. Accessed July 5, 2010.
  6. ↑ via Associated Press. "Bill would regulate adult bookstores to control AIDS", Anchorage Daily News, November 19, 1985. Accessed July 5, 2010.
  7. 1 2 NJ Senate District 18 - History, OurCampaigns.com. Accessed July 5, 2010.
  8. 1 2 Strum, Charles. "New Jersey Politicians Serve Public, Twice", The New York Times, December 27, 1992. Accessed July 5, 2010.
  9. ↑ DePalma, Anthony. "THE TALK OF EDISON; No Downtown in Town: New Jersey of the Future?", The New York Times, October 5, 1990. Accessed July 5, 2010.
  10. ↑ Staff. "ELECTION FOCUS SHIFTS TO NOVEMBER", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 6, 1991. Accessed July 5, 2010.
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