Thomas F.X. Smith Archives - New Jersey Globe

Happy Birthday, Jim Florio

August 29, 2020 8:16 pmAugust 30, 2020 12:02 am

Happy Birthday to former Gov. Jim Florio, who turned 83 today. Florio has been a fixture in New Jersey politics since 1969, when he won a seat in the New Jersey. He spent fifteen years as a congressman from South...

Trailblazer: Mayor Glenn Cunningham

January 20, 2020 12:55 amJanuary 20, 2020 12:47 am

Glenn Cunningham (1943-2004) was the first and only African American to win election for mayor of Jersey City. After serving in the Marines, Cunningham began a 25-year career as a Jersey City police officer. He retired as a captain. Cunningham...

William J. Hamilton, former Assembly Speaker, dies at 86

October 12, 2019 4:28 pmOctober 13, 2019 3:11 pm

Former Assembly Speaker William J. Hamilton, Jr., a skilled legislator with a reputation for integrity and independence, died on Thursday. He was 86. A product of John A. Lynch, Sr.’s New Brunswick political organization, Hamilton served six years in the...

Joseph Simunovich, top New Jersey political figure, dies at 78

June 18, 2019 9:43 pmJune 19, 2019 9:01 am

Joseph J. Simunovich, a popular and influential fixture in North Jersey politics for the last six decades, passed away this evening. He was 78. Simunovich served twelve years as a Hudson County Freeholder and later as chairman of the New...

Sandy Jones, Irvington councilwoman, dies at 76

March 22, 2019 10:58 amMarch 22, 2019 2:33 pm

Sandra R. Jones, an Irvington councilwoman for nearly seventeen years, passed away on March 21. She was 76. Jones began her political career in 1969 as a volunteer on Julian Robinson’s campaign for mayor of Jersey City against incumbent Thomas...

The legend of Patrick Pasculli

January 13, 2018 3:47 pmMarch 5, 2018 1:47 am

The photo Ravi Bhalla tweeted today of four Hoboken mayors having lunch at Del Frisco’s Grille reminded me of a classic freshman legislator story. Since this was swearing in week in Trenton, it’s an appropriate time to retell it. This...