Frank Pallone
Encyclopedia
Frank Pallone, Jr. is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party
. He previously represented the 3rd district from 1988 to 1993.
, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
at Tufts University
, and Rutgers School of Law-Camden. Prior to being elected to the House, Pallone was a member of the Long Branch
city council from 1982 to 1988.
He was a member of the New Jersey Senate
(the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature
), from the 11th district, from 1984 to 1988. In 1983, he defeated incumbent Republican State Senator Brian T. Kennedy
50%-49%. In 1987, he won re-election with 60% of the vote.
In March 1988, incumbent U.S. Congressman James Howard
(D-Spring Lake Heights) of New Jersey's 3rd congressional district
died. In November, Pallone defeated Republican State Representative Joe Azzolina 52%-47%. In 1990, he won re-election with 49% of the vote.
1992-2008
After redistricting, he decided to run in New Jersey's 6th congressional district
. In the Democratic primary of 1992, he defeated State Representative Robert Smith 55%-37%. In the general election, he defeated Republican State Senator Joe Kyrillos 52%-45%. Since then, he won re-election with at least 60% in all but two elections (1998 and 2010). In 1998, he defeated Republican teacher Mike Ferguson 57%-40%.
2010
Pallone was challenged by Republican nominee Anna C. Little
. Little is a former Monmouth County Freeholder and served as Mayor of Highlands, New Jersey
in addition to working full-time as an attorney specializing in immigration law. On November 3, 2010, Pallone defeated Little by over 16,000 votes, 55% to 43% in what analysts considered a terrible year for Democrats. However, for the first time in his career, Pallone failed to carry his home county of Monmouth.
He also serves as a co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues along with Congressman Mark Kirk
(previously Joe Knollenberg
) and was instrumental in garnering the support of 127 members (30%) of the U.S. House of Representatives for the Armenian Caucus. In 2002 he was awarded the Mkhitar Gosh Medal by the President of the Republic of Armenia.
In 2002, he was awarded India
's third highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan
for his contributions as member of the India Caucus in the Congress.
He was one of the 31 who voted in the House to not count the electoral votes from Ohio
in the 2004 United States presidential election
.
Pallone received an "A" on the Drum Major Institute
's 2005 Congressional Scorecard on middle-class issues. while the National Taxpayers Union
has consistently given Pallone an "F" ranking on votes that affect taxes, spending, and debt.
Pallone has questioned the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) on its update of flood plain maps in Monmouth County, specifically in the Bayshore area.
Pallone has introduced a bill to modify the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the U.S.'s most important set of fisheries regulations.;
On October 3, 2008 Rep. Pallone voted in favor of the Troubled Asset Relief Program believing that the enumerated powers
grant congress the authority to "purchase assets and equity from financial institutions in order to strengthen its financial sector."
Party leadership
Mayor Edward McKenna, who had the support of Middlesex County
Powerbroker/Pallone enemy John Lynch
and South Jersey Powerbroker George Norcross. Scudiery was re-elected county chairman by a 2 to 1 margin.
In 2002, Pallone turned down an offer to replace embattled Sen. Bob Torricelli as the Democratic Nominee for US Senate by Democratic Party leaders. The slot eventually went to Sen. Frank Lautenberg
who ended up winning the general election. In 2004-2005, Pallone considered a gubernatorial bid against embattled and unpopular Gov. Jim McGreevey
but ended up supporting eventual party nominee winner, Gov. Jon Corzine
.
Early in 2005, Pallone announced his intentions to seek the United States Senate
position held at the time by Jon Corzine
. Corzine won the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey
in June 2005, and Pallone was the first New Jersey politician to officially seek Corzine's senate seat. Pallone launched "Pallone for New Jersey to inform New Jersey citizens of his work in the House and his desire to be New Jersey's next Senator. In January 2006, Pallone announced his endorsement of Bob Menendez for Senate in the November 2006 Election, ending his bid for the seat.
In 2006, Pallone joined Gov. Jon Corzine
in calling on Monmouth County Democratic Party Chairman Victor V. Scudiery to resign. Scudiery refused and was re-elected unopposed in 2006. Pallone was an early and strong endorser of Sen. Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic Party primaries. Pallone traveled to New Hampshire
to campaign for Clinton. Clinton eventually lost the primary to Sen. Barack Obama
who went on to become President. Pallone also endorsed Frank Lautenberg
over Congressman Rob Andrews
, who was the candidate of South Jersey Powerbroker George Norcross. Pallone harshly attacked Andrews as the 'candidate of the political boss' - Lautenberg easily won that election with Pallone and Scudiery delivering an overwhelming majority for Lautenberg in Monmouth County
.
In 2009, Pallone endorsed Ocean Township Board of Education Member Michael Beson for Monmouth County Freeholder over Middletown Committeeman Sean F. Byrnes, who had the support of Scudiery. Beson was crushed by a 4 to 1 margin at the April 2009 Democratic county convention. In June 2009, Pallone endorsed incumbent Edison
Mayor Jun Choi
over the candidate supported by Middlesex County and Edison Democratic Party leaders. Choi lost that election as did his entire city council slate, resulting in two strong losses for Pallone in his own district. In 2009, Pallone has been a strong supporter of Former Gov./Former Sen. Jon Corzine and a fierce critic of his Republican opponent, Gov. Chris Christie. Corzine lost the general election to Christie.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. He previously represented the 3rd district from 1988 to 1993.
Early life, education, and early political career
Pallone is a graduate of Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University is the oldest school in the United States dedicated solely to graduate studies in international affairs. It is regarded as one of the world's foremost schools of international affairs. Every Fall, the school enrolls approximately 265...
at Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
, and Rutgers School of Law-Camden. Prior to being elected to the House, Pallone was a member of the Long Branch
Long Branch, New Jersey
Long Branch is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 30,719.Long Branch was formed on April 11, 1867, as the Long Branch Commission, from portions of Ocean Township...
city council from 1982 to 1988.
He was a member of the New Jersey Senate
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
(the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
), from the 11th district, from 1984 to 1988. In 1983, he defeated incumbent Republican State Senator Brian T. Kennedy
Brian T. Kennedy
Brian T. Kennedy is the current President of the Claremont Institute, an organization that seeks to promote the restoration of "the principles of the American Founding to their rightful, preeminent authority in our national life." Kennedy has been with the Claremont Institute since 1989 and its...
50%-49%. In 1987, he won re-election with 60% of the vote.
Elections
1988-1990In March 1988, incumbent U.S. Congressman James Howard
James J. Howard
James John Howard was an American educator and Democratic Party politician who represented in the United States House of Representatives from 1965–1988.-Biography:...
(D-Spring Lake Heights) of New Jersey's 3rd congressional district
New Jersey's 3rd congressional district
New Jersey's Third Congressional District is currently represented by Republican Jon Runyan. It is a swing district, with a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+1. Former NFL player Republican Jon Runyan defeated John Adler in the 2010 House elections...
died. In November, Pallone defeated Republican State Representative Joe Azzolina 52%-47%. In 1990, he won re-election with 49% of the vote.
1992-2008
After redistricting, he decided to run in New Jersey's 6th congressional district
New Jersey's 6th congressional district
New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District is currently represented by Democrat Frank Pallone. In the 2010 election, Pallone defeated Republican Anna C...
. In the Democratic primary of 1992, he defeated State Representative Robert Smith 55%-37%. In the general election, he defeated Republican State Senator Joe Kyrillos 52%-45%. Since then, he won re-election with at least 60% in all but two elections (1998 and 2010). In 1998, he defeated Republican teacher Mike Ferguson 57%-40%.
2010
Pallone was challenged by Republican nominee Anna C. Little
Anna C. Little
Anna Campbell Little is an American Republican Party politician who served as mayor of Highlands, New Jersey from 2008 through 2010, and who has previously served on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. She ran for congress in New Jersey's 6th congressional district, conceding to...
. Little is a former Monmouth County Freeholder and served as Mayor of Highlands, New Jersey
Highlands, New Jersey
Highlands is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,005. It is the home town of film maker, director, and comic book writer Kevin Smith. The eastern part of the town is built on a high bluff that overlooks Sandy...
in addition to working full-time as an attorney specializing in immigration law. On November 3, 2010, Pallone defeated Little by over 16,000 votes, 55% to 43% in what analysts considered a terrible year for Democrats. However, for the first time in his career, Pallone failed to carry his home county of Monmouth.
Tenure
Pallone is a Progressive Caucus Member. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Native American Caucus, where he has worked on a bipartisan basis to protect the inherent sovereignty of tribal governments and promote the needs of Indian Country. As a senior member of the House Resources Committee — the committee with jurisdiction over all matters regarding the relations of the United States with American Indians and Alaska Natives — he has been a defender of the sovereign status of Indian Tribal governments as independent from the United States.He also serves as a co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues along with Congressman Mark Kirk
Mark Kirk
Mark Steven Kirk is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Kirk was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 10th congressional district....
(previously Joe Knollenberg
Joe Knollenberg
Joseph "Joe" Knollenberg is a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. From 1993 to 2009, he was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing ....
) and was instrumental in garnering the support of 127 members (30%) of the U.S. House of Representatives for the Armenian Caucus. In 2002 he was awarded the Mkhitar Gosh Medal by the President of the Republic of Armenia.
In 2002, he was awarded India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
's third highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
for his contributions as member of the India Caucus in the Congress.
He was one of the 31 who voted in the House to not count the electoral votes from Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
in the 2004 United States presidential election
United States presidential election, 2004
The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
.
Pallone received an "A" on the Drum Major Institute
Drum Major Institute
The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy is a non-profit American progressive public policy institute founded during the Civil Rights Movement...
's 2005 Congressional Scorecard on middle-class issues. while the National Taxpayers Union
National Taxpayers Union
National Taxpayers Union is a taxpayers advocacy organization and taxpayers union in the United States, founded in 1969 by James Dale Davidson. NTU advertises that it is the largest and oldest grassroots taxpayer organization in the nation, with 362,000 members nationwide. It is closely...
has consistently given Pallone an "F" ranking on votes that affect taxes, spending, and debt.
Pallone has questioned the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
(FEMA) on its update of flood plain maps in Monmouth County, specifically in the Bayshore area.
Pallone has introduced a bill to modify the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the U.S.'s most important set of fisheries regulations.;
On October 3, 2008 Rep. Pallone voted in favor of the Troubled Asset Relief Program believing that the enumerated powers
Article One of the United States Constitution
Article One of the United States Constitution describes the powers of Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. The Article establishes the powers of and limitations on the Congress, consisting of a House of Representatives composed of Representatives, with each state gaining or...
grant congress the authority to "purchase assets and equity from financial institutions in order to strengthen its financial sector."
Committee assignments
- Committee on Energy and CommerceUnited States House Committee on Energy and CommerceThe Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more than 200 years...
- Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
- Subcommittee on Environment and EconomyUnited States House Energy Subcommittee on Environment and EconomyThe Energy Subcommittee on Environment and Economy is a subcommittee within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Prior to 2009, it was known as the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, and was part of the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment from 2009 to 2011...
- Subcommittee on Health (Ranking Member)
- Committee on Natural Resources
- Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Boating Caucus
- Congressional Coastal Caucus (Co-Chair)
- Congressional Steel Caucus
- International Conservation CaucusUnited States Congressional International Conservation CaucusThe U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization that was founded in September 2003 with the conviction that “the United States of America has the opportunity, the obligation and the interests to advance the conservation of natural resources for...
- School Health and Safety Caucus
- Congressional Arts Caucus
Party leadership
- Communications Chair of the Democratic Policy Committee
Other political offices
In 2000, Pallone endorsed and strongly supported incumbent Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Victor V. Scudiery over then Red BankRed Bank, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,844 people, 5,201 households, and 2,501 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,639.1 people per square mile . There were 5,450 housing units at an average density of 3,055.0 per square mile...
Mayor Edward McKenna, who had the support of Middlesex County
Middlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
Powerbroker/Pallone enemy John Lynch
John A. Lynch, Jr.
John A. Lynch, Jr. is a former American Democratic Party politician from New Jersey, who served in the New Jersey Senate representing the 19th District from 1981 to 2001, where he represented the 17th Legislative District, and was Senate President from 1990 to 1992...
and South Jersey Powerbroker George Norcross. Scudiery was re-elected county chairman by a 2 to 1 margin.
In 2002, Pallone turned down an offer to replace embattled Sen. Bob Torricelli as the Democratic Nominee for US Senate by Democratic Party leaders. The slot eventually went to Sen. Frank Lautenberg
Frank Lautenberg
Frank Raleigh Lautenberg is the senior United States Senator from New Jersey and a member of the Democratic Party. Previously, he was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automatic Data Processing, Inc.-Early life, career, and family:...
who ended up winning the general election. In 2004-2005, Pallone considered a gubernatorial bid against embattled and unpopular Gov. Jim McGreevey
Jim McGreevey
James Edward "Jim" McGreevey is an American Democratic politician. He served as the 52nd Governor of New Jersey from January 15, 2002, until he resigned from office at 11:59 pm on November 15, 2004. His term was set to expire on January 17, 2006...
but ended up supporting eventual party nominee winner, Gov. Jon Corzine
Jon Corzine
Jon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
.
Early in 2005, Pallone announced his intentions to seek the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
position held at the time by Jon Corzine
Jon Corzine
Jon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
. Corzine won the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey
Governor of New Jersey
The Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
in June 2005, and Pallone was the first New Jersey politician to officially seek Corzine's senate seat. Pallone launched "Pallone for New Jersey to inform New Jersey citizens of his work in the House and his desire to be New Jersey's next Senator. In January 2006, Pallone announced his endorsement of Bob Menendez for Senate in the November 2006 Election, ending his bid for the seat.
In 2006, Pallone joined Gov. Jon Corzine
Jon Corzine
Jon Stevens Corzine is the former CEO of Goldman Sachs and of MF Global, and a one time American politician, who served as the 54th Governor of New Jersey from 2006 to 2010. A Democrat, Corzine served five years of a six-year U.S. Senate term representing New Jersey before being elected Governor...
in calling on Monmouth County Democratic Party Chairman Victor V. Scudiery to resign. Scudiery refused and was re-elected unopposed in 2006. Pallone was an early and strong endorser of Sen. Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic Party primaries. Pallone traveled to New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
to campaign for Clinton. Clinton eventually lost the primary to Sen. Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
who went on to become President. Pallone also endorsed Frank Lautenberg
Frank Lautenberg
Frank Raleigh Lautenberg is the senior United States Senator from New Jersey and a member of the Democratic Party. Previously, he was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automatic Data Processing, Inc.-Early life, career, and family:...
over Congressman Rob Andrews
Rob Andrews
Robert Ernest "Rob" Andrews is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1990. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes most of Camden County and parts of Burlington County and Gloucester County....
, who was the candidate of South Jersey Powerbroker George Norcross. Pallone harshly attacked Andrews as the 'candidate of the political boss' - Lautenberg easily won that election with Pallone and Scudiery delivering an overwhelming majority for Lautenberg in Monmouth County
Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 630,380, up from 615,301 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Freehold Borough. The most populous municipality is Middletown Township with...
.
In 2009, Pallone endorsed Ocean Township Board of Education Member Michael Beson for Monmouth County Freeholder over Middletown Committeeman Sean F. Byrnes, who had the support of Scudiery. Beson was crushed by a 4 to 1 margin at the April 2009 Democratic county convention. In June 2009, Pallone endorsed incumbent Edison
Edison, New Jersey
Edison Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey. What is now Edison Township was originally incorporated as Raritan Township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1870, from portions of both Piscataway Township and Woodbridge Township...
Mayor Jun Choi
Jun Choi
Jun H. Choi is an American politician and the former Mayor of Edison, New Jersey, a community of over 100,000 people and the fifth largest municipality in the state. He was sworn in on January 1, 2006 as the youngest mayor in Edison history...
over the candidate supported by Middlesex County and Edison Democratic Party leaders. Choi lost that election as did his entire city council slate, resulting in two strong losses for Pallone in his own district. In 2009, Pallone has been a strong supporter of Former Gov./Former Sen. Jon Corzine and a fierce critic of his Republican opponent, Gov. Chris Christie. Corzine lost the general election to Christie.
Personal life
Pallone lives with his wife Sarah Hospodor-Pallone who was recently hired as Deputy Associate Administrator of Intergovernmental Relations at the EPA in Washington, DC and their three children who reside with them in Washington, DC.External links
- Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. official U.S. House site
- Frank Pallone for U.S. Congress official campaign site
- Profile at SourceWatchSourceWatchSourceWatch is an internet wiki site that is a collaborative project of the liberal Center for Media and Democracy...
- US Congressman Frank Pallone, supports autonomy to ethnic minorities like the Tamils in Sri Lanka Tamil Sydney (no date)