John S. Watson
Encyclopedia
John S. Watson was an African-American Democratic Party
politician who served six terms in the New Jersey General Assembly
, where he represented the 15th Legislative District
.
Born in Camden, New Jersey
, Watson served with the United States Merchant Marine
fleet during World War II
. In 1970, Watson became the first African-American elected to the Board of Chosen Freeholders
in Mercer County, New Jersey
. In 1977, he became the President of the Board. For 12 years, Watson was a member of the New Jersey State Assembly, where he served as Chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
The John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy located at the Rudolph V. Kuser Mansion on the campus of Thomas Edison State College
in Trenton, New Jersey
is named in his honor.
His daughter Bonnie Watson Coleman
now serves in what was once his Assembly seat.
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 who served six terms 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...
, where he represented the 15th Legislative District
15th Legislative District (New Jersey)
New Jersey's 15th Legislative District is one of 40 in the state, covering the Mercer County municipalities of Ewing Township, Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, Lawrence Township, Pennington Borough, Princeton Borough, Princeton Township and Trenton...
.
Born in Camden, New Jersey
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
, Watson served with the United States Merchant Marine
United States Merchant Marine
The United States Merchant Marine refers to the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels, operated by either the government or the private sector, that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine is...
fleet during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1970, Watson became the first African-American elected to the 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 Mercer County, New Jersey
Mercer County, New Jersey
As of the census of 2000, there were 350,761 people, 125,807 households, and 86,303 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,552 people per square mile . There were 133,280 housing units at an average density of 590 per square mile...
. In 1977, he became the President of the Board. For 12 years, Watson was a member of the New Jersey State Assembly, where he served as Chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
The John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy located at the Rudolph V. Kuser Mansion on the campus of Thomas Edison State College
Thomas Edison State College
Thomas Edison State College is a public institution of higher education located in Trenton, New Jersey. One of New Jersey's 12 public universities and colleges, Thomas Edison State College offers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level....
in Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
is named in his honor.
His daughter Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson Coleman is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1998, where she represents the 15th Legislative District....
now serves in what was once his Assembly seat.