Jim Whelan
Encyclopedia
Jim Whelan is an American
Democratic Party
politician
, who serves in the New Jersey
State Senate where he represents the 2nd legislative district, having taken office on January 8, 2008.
Whelan was born in Philadelphia and attended Temple University
where he became a nationally-ranked distance swimmer before a broken leg in his senior year cut short his career. His achievements, however, ultimately led to his induction in the Temple University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. He received a M.Ed.
from Temple University.
In 1977, Whelan took a job in the Atlantic City School District
. Four years later, he made his first foray into politics, making an unsuccessful run for the Atlantic County
Board of Chosen Freeholders
in 1981. The following year, he won election to the Atlantic City
Council, in 1982, and was re-elected in 1986. He won the mayor's office in a landslide in 1990. Whelan served three terms as Mayor of Atlantic City.
Whelan was elected president of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors.
Following a defeat at the hands of Lorenzo T. Langford
in 2001, Whelan returned to teaching. He also served on the board of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority.
Whelan was elected to the Assembly on November 8, 2005, unseating Republican
Kirk W. Conover
, who had held the seat since 2003 in this Republican-leaning district.
On November 6, 2007, Whelan won his bid for a seat in the New Jersey Senate
, defeating Republican Party
incumbent James J. McCullough
.
Whelan serves in the Senate on the Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (as Chair), the Education Committee, the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and the State Government Committee.
and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly
. The other representatives from the 2nd Legislative District for the 2008-2009 Legislative Session are:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, who serves in the 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...
State Senate where he represents the 2nd legislative district, having taken office on January 8, 2008.
Whelan was born in Philadelphia and attended Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
where he became a nationally-ranked distance swimmer before a broken leg in his senior year cut short his career. His achievements, however, ultimately led to his induction in the Temple University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. He received a M.Ed.
Master of Education
The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...
from Temple University.
In 1977, Whelan took a job in the Atlantic City School District
Atlantic City School District
Atlantic City School District is a comprehensive community public school district in Atlantic City, in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States....
. Four years later, he made his first foray into politics, making an unsuccessful run for the Atlantic County
Atlantic County, New Jersey
-National protected areas:* Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge * Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River -Demographics:...
Board of Chosen Freeholders
Board of Chosen Freeholders
In New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures in each of that state's 21 counties.- Origin :New Jersey's system of naming county legislators "freeholders" is unique in the United States...
in 1981. The following year, he won election to the Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
Council, in 1982, and was re-elected in 1986. He won the mayor's office in a landslide in 1990. Whelan served three terms as Mayor of Atlantic City.
Whelan was elected president of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors.
Following a defeat at the hands of Lorenzo T. Langford
Lorenzo Langford (politician)
Lorenzo Tyrone Langford is the Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey and the resort city's second African American mayor.-Biography:Langford was educated in the Atlantic City public school system and graduated from Atlantic City High School, Class of 1974...
in 2001, Whelan returned to teaching. He also served on the board of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority.
Whelan was elected to the Assembly on November 8, 2005, unseating Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Kirk W. Conover
Kirk W. Conover
Kirk W. Conover is an American Republican Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 2nd legislative district from 2003 to 2006. Conover was sworn in to the Assembly in June 2003 after selection to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Assemblyman...
, who had held the seat since 2003 in this Republican-leaning district.
On November 6, 2007, Whelan won his bid for a seat in 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...
, defeating Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
incumbent James J. McCullough
James J. McCullough
James J. "Sonny" McCullough is an American Republican Party politician, who served in the New Jersey State Senate from 2007 to 2008, where he represented the 2nd Legislative District.-Biography:He was born on January 11, 1942...
.
Whelan serves in the Senate on the Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (as Chair), the Education Committee, the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee and the State Government Committee.
District 2
Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey SenateNew 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...
and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
. The other representatives from the 2nd Legislative District for the 2008-2009 Legislative Session are:
- Assemblyman John F. AmodeoJohn F. AmodeoJohn F. Amodeo is an American Republican politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008, where he represents the 2nd legislative district....
, and - Assemblyman Vincent J. PolistinaVincent J. PolistinaVincent J. Polistina is an American Republican politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008, where he represents the 2nd legislative district....
External links
- State Senator Jim Whelan's Legislative web page, New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey LegislatureThe 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...
- New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms
- State Senator James 'Jim' Whelan, Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...