Gina Genovese
Encyclopedia
Gina Genovese is an American
businesswoman and local politician
. She has served on the Township Committee in Long Hill Township, New Jersey
, where she has also served as mayor. In 2007, she was a candidate for the State Senate
in district 21 in New Jersey
. She currently lives in Long Hill with her partner of 13 years, Wendy McCahill. She no longer holds elected office.
gay
elected official in the state.
. On election day, Kean received 29,795 votes (60%) and Genovese received 20,092 votes (40%). http://www.nj.gov/oag/elections/2007results/2007-general_election_results.html
On Election night Genovese stated, "I don't regret (the campaign). The last five months of my life have been the best of five months of my life. I would not change a thing." http://www.goleader.com/07nov08/07nov08.pdf
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businesswoman and local politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. She has served on the Township Committee in Long Hill Township, New Jersey
Long Hill Township, New Jersey
-Local government:Long Hill Township is governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for...
, where she has also served as mayor. In 2007, she was a candidate for the State 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...
in district 21 in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. She currently lives in Long Hill with her partner of 13 years, Wendy McCahill. She no longer holds elected office.
Biography
For the past 36 years Genovese resided in the 21st District.- Graduated from the Kent Place SchoolKent Place SchoolThe Kent Place School is an all-girls kindergarten through 12 independent college-preparatory day school in Summit, Union County, New Jersey, United States...
in Summit in 1977 - Attained a world ranking of 150 in tennis. Due to injury however, was forced to retire.
- In 1983, opened Gina's Tennis World, in Berkeley Heights, NJ. She has coached over 25 nationally ranked players and has taught thousands of children and adults.
- In 2009, Gina formed the non-partisan organization Courage To Connect NJ and serves as its Executive Director. This organization was created to educate the public about their role in restructuring the State of New Jersey. The first educational video about home rule in New Jersey is on her website www.CourageToConnectNJ.org
Committee
In 2003, Genovese ran as a last minute fill-in candidate for Long Hill Township Committee and lost. The following year, Gina ran again and defeated a four-time Republican incumbent. Serving as the lone Democrat on the committee electing another Democrat to the committee within a year.Mayor
In 2005, Gina was selected unanimously by the Republican majority committee to become the first Democratic mayor in the history of Long Hill Township. She made history by becoming the highest-ranking, openlyComing out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
elected official in the state.
Mayoral achievements
- She saved $300,000 by reducing the police administrative staff by 40% and cooperatively negotiating with the police leadership to create a new administrative structure.
- Developed and taught civics lessons to students in both Millington and Gillette about the election and budgeting processes.
- Signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to promote clean, environmentally-friendly technologies. As a small business owner, another highlight was instituting a business economic forum to support the needs of local businesses. She also opened the budget process to the public so people could understand the costs of services in the community.
- Created an interfaith service for peace with numerous religious leaders in the area from nine different religions.
Actions
- When Gina Genovese was Mayor of Long Hill Township, the 2006 Long Hill Township budget raised taxes by 3%, the second lowest increase for that year in Morris County. (See, Star-Ledger New Jersey Property Tax Rankings).
- On April 26, 2006, Mayor Genovese voted in favor of a pay-to-play ordinance and said such laws are needed in Trenton. (The Echoes-Sentinel, 5/4/06).
2007 Senatorial elections
Gina challenged incumbent NJ 21st District Senator Thomas Kean Jr.Thomas Kean Jr.
Thomas Howard "Tom" Kean Jr. is an American Republican politician, serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 2003. He represents the 21st Legislative District, which covers parts of Union, Morris, Somerset and Essex Counties...
. On election day, Kean received 29,795 votes (60%) and Genovese received 20,092 votes (40%). http://www.nj.gov/oag/elections/2007results/2007-general_election_results.html
On Election night Genovese stated, "I don't regret (the campaign). The last five months of my life have been the best of five months of my life. I would not change a thing." http://www.goleader.com/07nov08/07nov08.pdf