Carl Zeitz, statehouse reporter and N.J. casino regulator, dies at 83

Carl Zeitz, a legendary and much-admired statehouse political reporter who later served on the New Jersey Casino Control Commission and founded a successful public relations firm, died today.  He was 83 and had been dealing with a series of health issues over the last several years.

“Known for a gruff exterior that masked deep loyalty and affection, Carl had a dry and unmistakable sense of humor,” his family said in a statement.  “He valued family, long friendships, spirited debate, and the life he built in the town he came to call home.”

After a stint in Rhode Island as a Providence Journal reporter, Zeitz joined the Associated Press in 1968.  He began in Newark, where he covered investigations into organized crime, a New Jersey angle of the Chicago 7 trial, the indictments and convictions of former Assembly Speaker Peter Moraites and Newark Mayor Hugh Addonizio, and the election of Newark’s first Black mayor, Kenneth Gibson.

In 1971, the Associated Press moved Zeitz to Trenton as their bureau chief in the New Jersey state capital.  He covered the 1972 presidential campaign in New Jersey, the 1973 gubernatorial campaigns, and the terms of two governors, five Senate Presidents, and five Assembly Speakers.  He covered the establishment of the first state income tax and was one of three journalists picked to meet with inmates during the 1971 riot at Rahway State Prison.

Zeitz moved to The (Bergen) Record in 1977, where he was the chief political reporter and wrote a weekly column.  He covered the 1977 governor’s race, the 1978 U.S. Senate campaign, and the Abscam scandal that toppled a four-term U.S. Senator from New Jersey.

When New Jersey State Treasurer Richard Leone sought the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in 1978, Zeitz briefly left the Bergen Record to serve as his press secretary.  He returned to journalism after Leone lost the primary to Bill Bradley.

Gov Brendan Byrne nominated Zeitz to an unexpired term on the Casino Control Commission.  As a columnist, he opposed legalizing casino gambling, but once it was approved, he advocated for stricter regulation.  The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Zeitz’s nomination by a 9-1 vote – only State Sen. James Cafiero (R-Wildwood) voted against him – and was easily confirmed by the full Senate.

Gov. Thomas Kean renominated Zeitz to serve a full five-year term in 1983.

In 1984, Zeitz dealt with a controversial ethics complaint against the Golden Nugget Casino, when a pit boss allowed Frank Sinatra to bully a blackjack dealer into dealing cards by hand rather than from a mechanical shoe required by state law.

Zeitz left the commission in late 1988 and launched his own firm, Riverfront Associates.

A Brooklyn native, Zeitz was a Hobart College graduate and U.S. Army veteran.  He was a former president of the New Jersey Legislative Correspondents Club.

Zeitz is survived by his sons. Josh and Nate, and his four grandchildren.  Josh Zeitz was the Democratic nominee for Congress against Rep. Christopher Smith in 2008.