William Smathers Archives - New Jersey Globe

N.J. hasn’t tossed an incumbent U.S. Senator in a general in 78 years

April 22, 2020 2:19 pmApril 22, 2020 8:39 pm

Democrat Cory Booker has some factors working for him as he seeks re-election to the United States Senate this year: strong favorables from the gold standard of independent pollsters; more than $2 million raised less than three months after ending...

New Jersey’s first Italian-American Speaker

October 14, 2019 11:50 am

One of the first Italian-born politicians to hold a major public office in New Jersey was Anthony Siracusa. Siracusa was born in Mesa, Italy in 1894, the son of naturalized Americans who were visiting Italy. His uncle was Anthony Ruffu,...

Most of the New Jersey delegation voted for Social Security 84 years ago

August 14, 2019 3:11 pm

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law 84 years ago on August 14, 1935 with the support of most of New Jersey’s congressional delegation. The House passed the bill on April 19 by a vote of...

The ultimate name-calling speech

October 18, 2018 12:23 pm

The gold standard of name calling in American political campaigns came in a 1950 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Florida, where New Jersey-born Rep. George Smathers was running against incumbent Claude Pepper. The legendary “redneck speech” may never have...

New Jersey’s first Italian-American Speaker

October 8, 2018 9:44 amAugust 22, 2021 3:41 pm

One of the first Italian-born politicians to hold a major public office in New Jersey was Anthony Siracusa. Siracusa was born in Mesa, Italy in 1894, the son of naturalized Americans who were visiting Italy. His uncle was Anthony Ruffu,...