Michael Patrick Carroll
Encyclopedia
Michael Patrick Carroll is an American
Republican Party
politician
from New Jersey
. He represents the 25th legislative district, first taking office in 1996.
Carroll was born in [Fayetteville, North Carolina], on April 8, 1958, the son of Maurice C. and Margaret W. Carroll. Although his parents resided in New Jersey, the senior Carroll’s military service carried him to Fort Bragg
at the time of his son’s birth. Both of the Assemblyman’s parents are former reporters, his father having written for (among others) New York Herald Tribune
, The New York Times
, and New York Newsday, and his mother for the Morris County Daily Record. Maurice (Mickey) Carroll presently serves as the director of the Quinnipiac Poll. He is of German and Irish descent.
Moving to New Jersey, the Carrolls moved to Morris Township in 1960. Carroll attended Morris Township Public Schools through grammar school, then Delbarton School
, from which he graduated in 1976. He matriculated at The Johns Hopkins University
, earning a B.A.
in Social and Behavioral Sciences in 1980. He pursued his legal education at Rutgers School of Law—Newark
.– Newark, receiving his J.D.
in 1983.
While at Johns Hopkins, Carroll served as the Region II Co-Director for the College Republican National Federation and held various offices in the Johns Hopkins Republican Club, including President. In 1978, he interned in the offices of Congressman Jack Kemp. During law school, he served briefly as an aide to State Senator John Dorsey. He also founded the Morris County Young Republicans, serving as the Chairman of that group for four years. He was first elected to the Morris County Republican Committee for Morris Township in 1980. In 1984, after moving to Morristown, he was elected to the Republican County Committee there, serving as Chairman for one term. Returning to Morris Township, he was once again elected to the Republican County Committee, a position he presently holds. He is also a Member of the Knights of Columbus, the Federalist Society, the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick.
Carroll first ran for the Assembly in 1993 using as his campaign slogan “Roll Back Florio’s Taxes” and pledging to work for the complete repeal of Jim Florio’s entire 1990 tax increases. He lost that election by fewer than 400 votes to Assemblyman Arthur Albohn. When Albohn retired in 1995, Carroll and then-Assemblyman Anthony Bucco prevailed in a Republican Primary against Rick Merkt, Chris Christie, and two others, going onto victory in the Fall.
Upon his initial election to the Assembly, Carroll served on the Judiciary and State Government Committees. Over the course of the next seven terms, he also served on the Health, Regulatory Oversight, Human Services, and Law and Public Safety. At present, he sits on the Housing and Local Government and Higher Education Committees. Appointed to the position of Republican Parliamentarian in 2002, he resigned that position in 2006. He also served of the State Human Relations Commission, the Sentencing Review Commission, and presently serves as the Assembly Republican Liaison to the State Historical Commission. In addition, he serves on the NJ Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
During the term of Governor Christie Whitman, Carroll became one of her most consistent Republican critics, voting against all but one of her budgets. He and fellow conservatives, including Marion Crecco
, Scott Garrett
, Guy R. Gregg
, Rick Merkt and Guy Talarico
formed a loose-knit coalition dubbed by the press “The Mountain Men” for their conservative stances. Carroll was among only a handful of Assembly Members Legislators to vote against Governor Whitman’s “Pension Bond” proposal. He and fellow conservatives were early opponents of Governor Whitman’s proposal to raise the gasoline tax and they have, ever since, taken credit for killing that initiative.
Carroll was also among the earliest opponents of HOV lanes along Interstate 287
and Interstate 80
(created as a result of an initiative by Senator Frank Lautenberg). When they were finally abolished, local media proclaimed him one of the “heroes” in the fight against those lanes.
While serving with the Republican majority, Carroll secured passage of a bill which exempted the first $500,000 of profit from the sale of a couple’s home from state income tax. He secured some notoriety by proposing a Bill to mandate the reading, in school each morning, of a section of the Declaration of Independence. Assemblyman Carroll has never voted for a single tax increase.
The April 2003 issue of New Jersey Monthly
magazine cited Carroll as the "Most Conservative" member of the New Jersey Legislature. The magazine cited Carroll's "...missionary zeal and his talent for articulating his stances on behalf of individual and property rights, the sanctity of family—including unborn children—and the cult of Reaganism..." in elaborating on their choice. . Carroll is one of the prime sponsors of a proposal to name a stretch of highway in Morris County after Ronald Reagan.
A long time opponent of what he characterizes as “judicial usurpation of the legislative function”, Carroll introduced proposals to amend the New Jersey Constitution to reverse the affordable housing mandate contained in Mount Laurel, to repeal the school funding decisions of Abbott, and to preclude the judiciary from imposing any requirement that the Legislature raise taxes or spend money. A proponent of Second Amendment rights, Carroll sponsors a proposal to bring New Jersey into line with the vast majority of the rest of the States and permit its residents to carry firearms. He has also sponsored proposals to require that any tax increase be imposed only upon receiving a super-majority of legislative votes, to limit the salaries of state and local officials, and to preclude governmental workers from participation in partisan politics.
For the past several sessions, Carroll has been one of the chief sponsors of a proposal to permit medical use of marijuana. He is also the co-prime sponsor of a bill to exempt from sales tax any highly fuel efficient cars, as well as cars which use exclusively alternative fuels.
Carroll, a prolific writer, the authors a blog and writes the lead Republican column for Politickernj.com. He is a frequent guest of News 12's Power and Politics, has appeared on “Meet the Leaders”, “The Sean Hannity Show”, “Hannity and Colmes”, “The Today Show”, “Your New Jersey Connection”, “Neil Cavuto”, and similar shows. His columns appear on a regular basis in the Morris County Daily Record.
An attorney admitted to the Bar in 1983, Carroll practices in Morristown. A general practitioner with a focus on family law, appellate practice, municipal and land use law, he represents the Mount Olive Board of Adjustment and the Montville Planning Board. He also taught Business Law at County College of Morris for several years as an Adjunct Professor.
Carroll attended the Delbarton School
. He graduated with a B.A.
in 1980 from Johns Hopkins University
in History/Political Science and was awarded a J.D.
in 1983 from Rutgers School of Law—Newark
.
In 1983, Carroll married Sharon, née Anderson, whom he met when the two of them worked together at McDonald’s. The couple has six children: Sean Michael, James Patrick, Brian Christopher, Jane Eleanor, Benjamin Franklin, and Robert Edward Lee.
Carroll has often appeared at Junior Statesmen of America conventions in New Jersey, including a conference at Princeton University in October 2008 and another in March 2009.
and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly
. The other representatives from the 25th 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...
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...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from 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...
. He represents the 25th legislative district, first taking office in 1996.
Carroll was born in [Fayetteville, North Carolina], on April 8, 1958, the son of Maurice C. and Margaret W. Carroll. Although his parents resided in New Jersey, the senior Carroll’s military service carried him to Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg (North Carolina)
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
at the time of his son’s birth. Both of the Assemblyman’s parents are former reporters, his father having written for (among others) New York Herald Tribune
New York Herald Tribune
The New York Herald Tribune was a daily newspaper created in 1924 when the New York Tribune acquired the New York Herald.Other predecessors, which had earlier merged into the New York Tribune, included the original The New Yorker newsweekly , and the Whig Party's Log Cabin.The paper was home to...
, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, and New York Newsday, and his mother for the Morris County Daily Record. Maurice (Mickey) Carroll presently serves as the director of the Quinnipiac Poll. He is of German and Irish descent.
Moving to New Jersey, the Carrolls moved to Morris Township in 1960. Carroll attended Morris Township Public Schools through grammar school, then Delbarton School
Delbarton School
Delbarton School is a private all-male Roman Catholic college preparatory school in Morristown, New Jersey, educating young men from 7th to 12th grade. Delbarton is a Catholic independent school directed by the Benedictine monks of St. Mary's Abbey....
, from which he graduated in 1976. He matriculated at The Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
, earning a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Social and Behavioral Sciences in 1980. He pursued his legal education at Rutgers School of Law—Newark
Rutgers School of Law—Newark
Rutgers School of Law–Newark is the oldest of three law schools in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is located at the S.I. Newhouse Center for Law and Justice, at 123 Washington Street, in downtown Newark...
.– Newark, receiving his J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1983.
While at Johns Hopkins, Carroll served as the Region II Co-Director for the College Republican National Federation and held various offices in the Johns Hopkins Republican Club, including President. In 1978, he interned in the offices of Congressman Jack Kemp. During law school, he served briefly as an aide to State Senator John Dorsey. He also founded the Morris County Young Republicans, serving as the Chairman of that group for four years. He was first elected to the Morris County Republican Committee for Morris Township in 1980. In 1984, after moving to Morristown, he was elected to the Republican County Committee there, serving as Chairman for one term. Returning to Morris Township, he was once again elected to the Republican County Committee, a position he presently holds. He is also a Member of the Knights of Columbus, the Federalist Society, the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick.
Carroll first ran for the Assembly in 1993 using as his campaign slogan “Roll Back Florio’s Taxes” and pledging to work for the complete repeal of Jim Florio’s entire 1990 tax increases. He lost that election by fewer than 400 votes to Assemblyman Arthur Albohn. When Albohn retired in 1995, Carroll and then-Assemblyman Anthony Bucco prevailed in a Republican Primary against Rick Merkt, Chris Christie, and two others, going onto victory in the Fall.
Upon his initial election to the Assembly, Carroll served on the Judiciary and State Government Committees. Over the course of the next seven terms, he also served on the Health, Regulatory Oversight, Human Services, and Law and Public Safety. At present, he sits on the Housing and Local Government and Higher Education Committees. Appointed to the position of Republican Parliamentarian in 2002, he resigned that position in 2006. He also served of the State Human Relations Commission, the Sentencing Review Commission, and presently serves as the Assembly Republican Liaison to the State Historical Commission. In addition, he serves on the NJ Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
During the term of Governor Christie Whitman, Carroll became one of her most consistent Republican critics, voting against all but one of her budgets. He and fellow conservatives, including Marion Crecco
Marion Crecco
Marion Crecco is an American Republican Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1986 to 2002, where she represented the 30th Legislative District and then the 34th Legislative District following redistricting in the wake of the 1990 United States Census.A resident of...
, Scott Garrett
Scott Garrett
Ernest Scott Garrett is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes much of the northwestern portion of the state...
, Guy R. Gregg
Guy R. Gregg
Guy R. Gregg is an American Republican Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1992-2008, where he represented the 24th Legislative District...
, Rick Merkt and Guy Talarico
Guy Talarico
Guy F. Talarico is an American Republican Party politician, who served two full terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represented the 38th Legislative District....
formed a loose-knit coalition dubbed by the press “The Mountain Men” for their conservative stances. Carroll was among only a handful of Assembly Members Legislators to vote against Governor Whitman’s “Pension Bond” proposal. He and fellow conservatives were early opponents of Governor Whitman’s proposal to raise the gasoline tax and they have, ever since, taken credit for killing that initiative.
Carroll was also among the earliest opponents of HOV lanes along Interstate 287
Interstate 287
Interstate 287 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway in the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. It is a partial beltway around New York City, serving the northern half of New Jersey and the counties of Rockland and Westchester in New York...
and Interstate 80
Interstate 80 in New Jersey
Interstate 80 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States, running from the New York City Metropolitan Area westward to San Francisco, California...
(created as a result of an initiative by Senator Frank Lautenberg). When they were finally abolished, local media proclaimed him one of the “heroes” in the fight against those lanes.
While serving with the Republican majority, Carroll secured passage of a bill which exempted the first $500,000 of profit from the sale of a couple’s home from state income tax. He secured some notoriety by proposing a Bill to mandate the reading, in school each morning, of a section of the Declaration of Independence. Assemblyman Carroll has never voted for a single tax increase.
The April 2003 issue of New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly is a monthly glossy publication featuring issues of possible interest to residents of the United States state of New Jersey...
magazine cited Carroll as the "Most Conservative" member of the New Jersey Legislature. The magazine cited Carroll's "...missionary zeal and his talent for articulating his stances on behalf of individual and property rights, the sanctity of family—including unborn children—and the cult of Reaganism..." in elaborating on their choice. . Carroll is one of the prime sponsors of a proposal to name a stretch of highway in Morris County after Ronald Reagan.
A long time opponent of what he characterizes as “judicial usurpation of the legislative function”, Carroll introduced proposals to amend the New Jersey Constitution to reverse the affordable housing mandate contained in Mount Laurel, to repeal the school funding decisions of Abbott, and to preclude the judiciary from imposing any requirement that the Legislature raise taxes or spend money. A proponent of Second Amendment rights, Carroll sponsors a proposal to bring New Jersey into line with the vast majority of the rest of the States and permit its residents to carry firearms. He has also sponsored proposals to require that any tax increase be imposed only upon receiving a super-majority of legislative votes, to limit the salaries of state and local officials, and to preclude governmental workers from participation in partisan politics.
For the past several sessions, Carroll has been one of the chief sponsors of a proposal to permit medical use of marijuana. He is also the co-prime sponsor of a bill to exempt from sales tax any highly fuel efficient cars, as well as cars which use exclusively alternative fuels.
Carroll, a prolific writer, the authors a blog and writes the lead Republican column for Politickernj.com. He is a frequent guest of News 12's Power and Politics, has appeared on “Meet the Leaders”, “The Sean Hannity Show”, “Hannity and Colmes”, “The Today Show”, “Your New Jersey Connection”, “Neil Cavuto”, and similar shows. His columns appear on a regular basis in the Morris County Daily Record.
An attorney admitted to the Bar in 1983, Carroll practices in Morristown. A general practitioner with a focus on family law, appellate practice, municipal and land use law, he represents the Mount Olive Board of Adjustment and the Montville Planning Board. He also taught Business Law at County College of Morris for several years as an Adjunct Professor.
Carroll attended the Delbarton School
Delbarton School
Delbarton School is a private all-male Roman Catholic college preparatory school in Morristown, New Jersey, educating young men from 7th to 12th grade. Delbarton is a Catholic independent school directed by the Benedictine monks of St. Mary's Abbey....
. He graduated with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1980 from Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
in History/Political Science and was awarded a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1983 from Rutgers School of Law—Newark
Rutgers School of Law—Newark
Rutgers School of Law–Newark is the oldest of three law schools in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is located at the S.I. Newhouse Center for Law and Justice, at 123 Washington Street, in downtown Newark...
.
In 1983, Carroll married Sharon, née Anderson, whom he met when the two of them worked together at McDonald’s. The couple has six children: Sean Michael, James Patrick, Brian Christopher, Jane Eleanor, Benjamin Franklin, and Robert Edward Lee.
Carroll has often appeared at Junior Statesmen of America conventions in New Jersey, including a conference at Princeton University in October 2008 and another in March 2009.
District 25
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 25th District for the 2008-2009 Legislative Session are:
- Senator Anthony BuccoAnthony BuccoAnthony R. Bucco is an American Republican Party politician who has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 1998, where he represents the 25th Legislative District.-Biography:...
, and - Assemblyman Tony BuccoTony BuccoAnthony Mark Bucco is an American Republican Party politician who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 25th legislative district. Bucco is an attorney who currently serves on the Morris County Republican Committee as its general counsel...
External links
- Assemblyman Carroll'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
- Assemblyman Carroll's Campaign Website
- Assembly Member Michael Patrick Carroll, 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...
- New Jersey Voter Information Website 2003
- Rep. Scott Garrett Biography
- The Federalist Society
- The NJ Mountain Men
- Morris County Republican Committee