Jim Florio

Jim Florio, who was elected governor of New Jersey in 1989 by persuading voters that he would not raise state taxes but who then pushed through a record increase shortly after taking office, incurring public wrath that led to his defeat in his bid for a second term, died in September 2022. He was 85. JIM FLORIO was born in Brooklyn, New York. He served in the U.S. Navy 1955-1958 and remainded in the Naval Reserves until 1975, retiring with the rank of lieutenant commander. He graduated from Trenton State College magna cum laude with a degree in social studies 1962. He won a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship to Columbia University and studied public law and government. He earned his law degree in 1967 from Rutgers University Law School in Camden. He held an elected position at the New Jersey Assembly 1969-1971. He was elected in 1974 to the U.S. House of Representatives and was reelected seven times. He served as chair of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Competitiveness of the Energy and Commerce Committee and as chair of the Subcommittee on Housing and Consumer Interests of the Select Committee on Aging. He was elected governor of New Jersey in 1989. A Representative from New Jersey; born in Brooklyn, N.Y., August 29, 1937; attended the public elementary schools in Brooklyn; received high school equivalency diploma from State of New Jersey; B.A., Trenton (N.J.) State College, 1962; graduate work, Columbia University, New York, 1962-1963; J.D., Rutgers University Law School, 1967; admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1967 and commenced practice in Camden; served in United States Navy, 1955-1958, ensign; lieutenant commander, United States Navy Reserve, 1958-1975; assistant city attorney for Camden City Legal Department, 1967-1971; solicitor for the New Jersey towns of Runnemede, Wood-Lynne, and Somerdale, 1969-1974; assemblyman, New Jersey State Legislature, 1970-1974; unsuccessful candidate for the nomination for Governor of New Jersey in 1977 and unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1981; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-fourth and to the seven succeeding Congresses and served from January 3, 1975, until his resignation January 16, 1990; elected Governor of New Jersey in 1989 and served from January 16, 1990, to January 18, 1994; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1993; is a resident of Gloucester Township, N.J. In addition to Chris, he is survived by his second wife wife Lucinda Coleman; a brother, Richard; two children from his first marriage to Maryanne Spaeth, a son, Gregory, and a daughter, Catherine Florio Pipas; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.