Trailblazer Archives - Page 3 of 67

Labor Leader: Roger Bodman

September 7, 2026 12:03 amSeptember 6, 2026 8:57 pm

Roger Bodman, who managed the closest gubernatorial race in modern New Jersey history, became the youngest Commissioner of Labor in state history when Gov. Tom Kean nominated him in 1982 at age 29 A fixture in New Jersey politics since...

New Jersey’s Declaration of Independence signers were not career politicians

July 4, 2026 12:02 amJuly 4, 2026 12:05 am

Meet the five New Jerseyans who signed the Declaration of Independence: Abraham Clark had served in the Continental Congress in 1776 and was the only New Jersey delegate who supported independence from the start. The pro-Independence legislature recalled their other four...

Veterans: Two N.J. Congressmen Who Placed Patriotism Above Politics

May 25, 2026 12:10 amMay 24, 2026 4:50 pm

Most people in New Jersey politics today probably never heard of Albert Vreeland or Frank Osmers, two young New Jersey Congressmen who placed patriotism above politics and the security of our nation ahead of their own political careers. Vreeland first...

Veterans: Gold Star Mother serving in N.J. State Assembly

May 25, 2026 12:08 amMay 26, 2026 1:23 am

Melinda Kane (D-Cherry Hill) became the first Gold Star Mother to serve in the New Jersey Legislature when she won a Camden County Assembly seat in a January special election convention. Her son, Marine Lance Corporal Jeremy Kane, was killed...

Guy Sterling: Bill Brennan, the People’s Politician

March 17, 2026 12:04 amMarch 17, 2026 12:13 am

A convincing case can be made that Bill Brennan, a native of Ireland and father of a famous U.S. Supreme Court justice, was the most beloved political figure in Newark’s long history, although he’s barely remembered today. He was elected...

New Jersey was against Dr. King state holiday before it was for it

January 19, 2026 12:29 amJanuary 18, 2026 11:14 pm

The road to establishing a legal holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in New Jersey was a slow one. During the final days of the 1974-75 legislative session, the Democratic-controlled State Senate rejected the idea of a...

Trailblazer: Arnold Cream, aka Jersey Joe Wolcott

January 19, 2026 12:28 amJanuary 18, 2026 9:38 pm

Arnold Cream, known as famed heavyweight boxing champion Jersey Joe Wolcott, was the first Black to win election as a county Sheriff in New Jersey. Cream first ran for sheriff in 1968, but lost the Democratic primary to Spencer H....