Robert M. Gordon

Robert M. "Bob" Gordon (born July 3, 1950) is an American politician serving as a commissioner of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Prior to being commissioner, Gordon was a Democratic Party politician who served in the New Jersey Senate from January 8, 2008 to April 4, 2018 representing the 38th Legislative District. He also served in the General Assembly from 2004 to 2008.

For other people named Robert Gordon, see Robert Gordon (disambiguation).
Robert M. Gordon
Member of the New Jersey Senate
from the 38th district
In office
January 8, 2008 – April 4, 2018
Preceded byJoseph Coniglio
Succeeded byJoseph Lagana
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the 38th district
In office
January 13, 2004 – January 8, 2008
Serving with Joan Voss
Preceded byRose Heck
Matt Ahearn
Succeeded byConnie Wagner
Personal details
Born (1950-07-03) July 3, 1950
Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
SpouseGail Gordon
Residence(s)Fair Lawn, New Jersey, U.S.
EducationWilliams College (BA)
University of California, Berkeley (MPP)
University of Pennsylvania (MBA)
WebsiteGovernment website

Early life and education

Gordon was born in Paterson and grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political economy from Williams College in 1972, a Master of Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA in finance and health care management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.[1]

Career

Gordon began his career an analyst in the Congressional Budget Office from 1975 to 1977.[2]

Gordon served on the Fair Lawn Borough Council from 1986 to 1995, on its Planning Board from 1986 to 1995 and was Mayor of Fair Lawn, New Jersey from 1988 to 1991. He was the Fair Lawn Fire Commissioner from 1986 to 1995 and served on the Fair Lawn Ethics Board from 1999 to 2003. During this time he also served as an aide in the New Jersey Office of the Governor from 1990 to 1991. He was also a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1988 and 1992.[1] In 1996, Gordon ran in the Democratic primary for the open Congressional seat in the 9th district but was defeated in a landslide against former Englewood mayor Steve Rothman.[3]

He served on the Democratic State Committee from 1993 to 1998. Gordon is a real estate development consultant in addition to being a state senator.[1]

New Jersey Assembly

In the 2003 election, Gordon and Joan Voss unseated the incumbents, Green Party candidate Matt Ahearn and Republican Rose Marie Heck, to win the Assembly seats.[4] Bergen County Freeholder and Paramus Councilwoman Connie Wagner replaced Gordon on the Democrats' 2007 Assembly ticket.

New Jersey Senate

Gordon was the 2007 Democratic nominee to succeed outgoing Senator Joseph Coniglio and won the seat with 59.9% of the vote. He was re-elected in 2011 and served on the Legislative Oversight Committee (Chair), the Transportation Committee (Vice-Chair), and the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.[1]

In the 2013 election, the then-increasingly popular Governor Chris Christie targeted the 38th Legislative District to unseat Gordon.[5] However, Gordon prevailed who said he was "pleased that he's on Christie's radar screen." He became one of the leading proponents of increased accountability and transparency at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey after the 2013 Fort Lee Bridgegate Scandal.

Gordon also served as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and co-chair of a special panel which investigated problems with NJ Transit.[6]

Board of Public Utilities

Gordon has been a commissioner of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities since April 2018. He was appointed by Governor Phil Murphy to fill the role.[7]

Personal life

The Democratic lawmaker is married to Gail Balph Gordon, a Republican who served on the staff of Richard Thornburgh, the former Pennsylvania Governor and United States Attorney General, and as a member of Governor Chris Christie's campaign finance committee and his transition team.[8] In February, 2013, Gail Gordon joined the Florio Perrucci Steinhardt & Fader law firm, which is headed by former Democratic Governor Jim Florio.[9]

Election history
New Jersey State Senate elections, 2013[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert M. Gordon (incumbent) 27,779 51.9
Republican Fernando A. Alonso 25,767 48.1
Democratic hold
New Jersey State Senate elections, 2011[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert M. Gordon (incumbent) 22,299 53.0
Republican John J. Driscoll, Jr. 19,745 47.0
Democratic hold
New Jersey State Senate elections, 2007[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert M. Gordon 22,351 59.9
Republican Robert Colletti 14,949 40.1
Democratic hold

References
  1. "Senator Robert M. Gordon". New Jersey. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
  2. "Robert M. Gordon (D)". www.njleg.state.nj.us. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
  3. "Freshmen of the 105th Congress". CNN. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  4. Kornacki, Steve. In huge win for McGreevey, Democrats win control of Senate, gain six Assembly seats Archived 2005-11-03 at the Wayback Machine, National Organization for Women New Jersey, November 5, 2003. Accessed July 27, 2007. "former Fair Lawn Mayor Robert Gordon and Fort Lee Councilwoman Joan Voss won the 38th districts seats of Heck and Green Party Assemblyman Matt Ahearn."
  5. "Christie Bashes Sen. Gordon in Fair Lawn". Fair Lawn-Saddle Brook, NJ Patch. 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
  6. "Sen. Bob Gordon, who led scrutiny of NJ Transit and Port Authority, steps down". North Jersey. Retrieved 2019-05-25.
  7. "Governor Nominates NJ Sen. Robert M. Gordon For BPU Chief". Fair Lawn-Saddle Brook, NJ Patch. 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  8. "VOWS: Gail Balph and Bob Gordon" New York Times October 15, 2006
  9. Florio Perrucci Steinhardt & Fader, LLC hires Gail B. Gordon
  10. "Official List Candidates for State Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 11/05/2015 Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. December 4, 2013. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  11. Official List Candidate Returns for State Senate For November 2011 General Election, New Jersey Department of State, December 14, 2011. Accessed June 25, 2012.
  12. Official List Candidate Returns for State Senate For November 2007 General Election, New Jersey Department of State, December 3, 2007. Accessed June 25, 2012.
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