John Burzichelli

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John Burzichelli
Member of the New Jersey Senate
from the 3rd district
Assumed office
January 9, 2024
Preceded byEdward Durr
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the 3rd district
In office
January 8, 2002 – January 11, 2022
Serving with Adam Taliaferro
Preceded byJack Collins
Gary Stuhltrager
Succeeded byBethanne McCarthy Patrick
Beth Sawyer
Deputy Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly
In office
January 10, 2006 – January 11, 2022
LeaderJoseph J. Roberts
Sheila Oliver
Vincent Prieto
Craig Coughlin
Preceded byHerb Conaway
Chairman of the New Jersey General Assembly Appropriations Committee
In office
January 10, 2012 – January 11, 2022
Preceded byNellie Pou
Chairman of the New Jersey General Assembly Gaming Committee
In office
January 8, 2008 – January 10, 2012
Mayor of Paulsboro, New Jersey
In office
January 1, 1996 – December 31, 2011
Preceded byJames A. Sabetta
Succeeded byJeffery Hamilton
Personal details
Born (1954-11-14) November 14, 1954 (age 69)
Political partyDemocratic
ResidencePaulsboro, New Jersey
WebsiteLegislative Website

John J. Burzichelli (born November 14, 1954) is an American Democratic Party politician from Paulsboro, New Jersey, who has the Senator from the state's 3rd Legislative District since January 9, 2024, a seat which he won by defeating incumbent Edward Durr in the 2023 New Jersey Senate election.

Prior to winning election to the state Senate, Burzichelli served in New Jersey General Assembly for the 3rd District from 2002 to 2022, spending the last sixteen years of his time there as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.

New Jersey Assembly[edit]

Burzichelli was the Assistant Majority Leader during the 2004-05 session and has been the Assembly's Deputy Speaker since 2006. Burzichelli had been the Mayor of Paulsboro from 1996 until 2011. From 2002 until 2011, he served as both mayor and Assemblyman which was allowed in New Jersey until 2007 when dual mandates were banned. Burzichelli was grandfathered under the law passed and allowed to continue serve in both posts until he stepped down from the mayoral post in 2011.[1] He was president of Paulsboro Chamber of Commerce and a member of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Executive Board.[2] In the 2011 apportionment based on the results of the 2010 United States census, Republican Domenick DiCicco was moved from the 4th Legislative District into District 3. Burzichelli (with 25,172 votes) and Celeste Riley (23,960) won re-election, defeating DiCicco (20,268) and his running mate Bob Villare (20,528).[3] DiCicco's loss made his seat the only gain by the Democrats in the Assembly in the 2011 election cycle.[4] In December 2016, Burzichelli was one of several Catholic elected officials who supported legislation legalizing assisted suicide, saying that state residents should be able to make their own decisions on a matter that "is about choice".[5] In 2019 the Assisted Suicide bill passed the legislature.

In the 2021 general election, Republicans Bethanne McCarthy Patrick and Beth Sawyer in the Assembly and Edward Durr in the Senate, knocked off Democratic incumbents Stephen M. Sweeney in the Senate and Burzichelli and Adam Taliaferro in the Assembly. Before the election, the district had been viewed as a "solidly blue" safe district for Democrats.[6]

New Jersey Senate[edit]

In the 2023 general election, Burzichelli ran for the Senate seat together with Heather Simmons and David Bailey in the Assembly, defeating Edward Durr in the Senate, and Republican incumbent Bethanne McCarthy Patrick and newcomer Thomas J. Tedesco, Jr. in the Assembly, taking back the district for the Democrats.[7][8]

Committee assignments[edit]

Committee assignments for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:[2]

  • Budget and Appropriations
  • Legislative Oversight
  • Transportation

District 3[edit]

Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly.[9] Representatives from the 3rd District for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:[10]

Personal life[edit]

Burzichelli is a long-time resident of Paulsboro. He is of Italian descent.[11] His father, John D. Burzichelli also served as mayor of the borough. He is a 1972 graduate of Paulsboro High School.[12] Burzichelli makes a brief cameo in Kevin Smith's film Jersey Girl, parts of which were filmed in Paulsboro. He is owner / producer / distributor of Hill Studio & Scenic.[2] He is as a former movie producer and wrestling promoter. He owns a number of antique fire engines using them for both business (Hill Studio) and pleasure and is a member of the Glasstown Antique Fire Brigade. He also owns the remnants of the Ward LaFrance a now-defunct fire engine manufacturer. Several of his antique fire engines are Ward LaFrance models of varying years. Burzichelli co-authored the book Ward LaFrance Fire Trucks: 1918-1978 Photo Archive. One of his fire trucks, formerly owned by Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, is displayed on the cover. He is one of the founding members of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Paulsboro and a former President of the Greater Paulsboro Chamber of Commerce. Burzichelli is the co-host of the show Eye on Paulsboro which has been on cable for over 25 years.[13]

Electoral history[edit]

Senate[edit]

3rd Legislative District General Election, 2023[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John J. Burzichelli 32,382 53.6
Republican Edward Durr (incumbent) 28,018 46.4
Total votes 60,400 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

Assembly[edit]

2021 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Beth Sawyer 33,878 26.2% Increase 3.2
Republican Bethanne McCarthy Patrick 33,735 26.1% Increase 4.2
Democratic John J. Burzichelli (incumbent) 31,024 24.0% Decrease 3.8
Democratic Adam Taliaferro (incumbent) 30,537 23.6% Decrease 3.5
Total votes 129,174 100.0%
2019 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Burzichelli (incumbent) 23,811 27.8% Decrease 2.5
Democratic Adam Taliaferro (incumbent) 23,719 27.1% Decrease 2.1
Republican Beth Sawyer 19,704 23.0% Increase 2.7
Republican Edward R. Durr 18,742 21.9% Increase 2.7
Total votes
2017 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Burzichelli (incumbent) 31,853 30.3 Increase 1.8
Democratic Adam Taliaferro (incumbent) 30,733 29.2 Increase 2.1
Republican Philip J. Donohue 21,758 20.7 Decrease 1.6
Republican Linwood H. Donelson III 20,181 19.2 Decrease 1.2
One for All Edward R. Durr 589 0.6 N/A
Total votes '105,114' '100.0'
2015 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Burzichelli (incumbent) 20,507 28.5 Increase 0.5
Democratic Adam Taliaferro (incumbent) 19,480 27.1 Increase 0.2
Republican Samuel J. Maccarone Jr. 16,063 22.3 Decrease 0.3
Republican Leroy P. Pierce III 14,715 20.4 Decrease 2.0
The People's Voice John Kalnas 1,223 1.7 N/A
Total votes '71,988' '100.0'
2013 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Burzichelli (incumbent) 31,049 28.0 Steady 0.0
Democratic Celeste Riley (incumbent) 29,870 26.9 Increase 0.3
Republican Larry Wallace 25,094 22.6 Decrease 0.2
Republican Bob Vanderslice 24,823 22.4 Decrease 0.1
Total votes '110,836' '100.0'
2011 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Burzichelli (incumbent) 25,172 28.0
Democratic Celeste Riley (incumbent) 23,960 26.6
Republican Bob Villare 20,528 22.8
Republican Domenick DiCicco (incumbent) 20,268 22.5
Total votes 89,928 100.0
2009 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Burzichelli (incumbent) 35,423 28.3 Decrease 1.2
Democratic Celeste Riley (incumbent) 31,888 25.5 Decrease 3.8
Republican Robert Villare 30,526 24.4 Increase 5.4
Republican Lee Lucas 27,316 21.8 Increase 3.4
Total votes '125,153' '100.0'
2007 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Burzichelli (incumbent) 30,222 29.5 Decrease 0.1
Democratic Douglas H. Fisher (incumbent) 30,078 29.3 Decrease 0.2
Republican Phil Donohue 19,534 19.0 Decrease 1.2
Republican Jeffrey Stepler 18,927 18.4 Decrease 1.1
Green Margie MacWilliams 2,078 2.0 N/A
Green Charles Woodrow 1,755 1.7 N/A
Total votes '102,594' '100.0'
2005 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Burzichelli (incumbent) 35,339 29.6 Increase 4.3
Democratic Douglas H. Fisher (incumbent) 35,265 29.5 Increase 4.1
Republican Phillip S. Rhudy 24,140 20.2 Decrease 3.2
Republican James W. Zee III 23,297 19.5 Decrease 3.0
Constitution John Leone 1,535 1.3 N/A
Total votes '119,576' '100.0'
2003 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Douglas H. Fisher (incumbent) 27,178 25.4 Decrease 2.7
Democratic John Burzichelli (incumbent) 27,110 25.3 Decrease 1.3
Republican Susan Bestwick 25,056 23.4 Increase 0.6
Republican Douglas Sorantino 24,069 22.5 Steady 0.0
Green Peggy Murphy 1,951 1.8 N/A
Green Charles Woodrow 1,627 1.5 N/A
Total votes '106,991' '100.0'
2001 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Douglas H. Fisher (incumbent) 31,886 28.1
Democratic John Burzichelli (incumbent) 30,213 26.6
Republican Michael H. Facemyer 25,823 22.8
Republican Harold U. Johnson 25,509 22.5
Total votes 113,431 100.0
1999 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jack Collins (incumbent) 28,609 31.0 Decrease 5.3
Republican Gary Stuhltrager (incumbent) 24,573 26.6 Decrease 7.5
Democratic John Burzichelli 20,658 22.4 Increase 1.6
Democratic Ron Brittin 15,440 16.7 Increase 15.4
Conservative Jan McFetridge 1,599 1.7 Decrease 2.0
Conservative Bob McFetridge 1,333 1.4 Decrease 2.5
Total votes '92,212' '100.0'

References[edit]

  1. ^ via Associated Press. "N.J. Lawmakers keep double dipping" Archived 2008-03-25 at the Wayback Machine, WPVI-TV, March 4, 2008. Accessed June 4, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c Senator John J. Burzichelli (D), New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 21, 2024.
  3. ^ Official List Candidate Returns for General Assembly For November 2011 General Election, New Jersey Department of State, December 6, 2011. Accessed April 27, 2017.
  4. ^ Staff. "N.J. legislative elections results: Democrats fend off GOP funding, Christie campaigning", The Star-Ledger, November 9, 2011. Accessed December 12, 2011. "The Democrats' sole gain came thanks to redistricting. Assemblyman Domenick DiCicco (R-Gloucester), the only Republican to win a Democrat-held seat two years ago, was shifted into a district with two Democratic incumbents and immediately faced an uphill battle to stay in the Legislature."
  5. ^ Alex, Patricia. "Catholic lawmakers support assisted suicide despite faith", The Record, December 13, 2016. Accessed July 15, 2019. "'I don’t view the Catholic Church as an adversary,' said Assemblyman John Burzichelli, who sponsored the assisted suicide bill. Burzichelli is a Catholic but says the church opposition didn’t give him pause as he gathered input on the legislation. 'This is about choice,' he said."
  6. ^ Smith, Joseph P. "Steve Sweeney trailing Republican truck driver Ed Durr in NJ Third District", The Daily Journal, November 3, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2024. "Durr and GOP General Assembly running mates Beth McCarthy Patrick and Beth Sawyer, based on unofficial final results Wednesday, have flipped the solidly 'blue' Third Legislative District into the Republican column. It has been two decades since a Republican represented the Third District in the Senate or Assembly. Generally, Democratic state Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney and Assemblymen John Burzichelli and Adam Taliaferro were regarded as overseeing a safe district."
  7. ^ Connolly, John. "NJ election results 2023: State Senate, Assembly seats decided", The Record, November 9, 2023. Accessed December 23, 2023.
  8. ^ Official List Candidates for State Senate for General Election November 7, 2023, New Jersey Department of State, December 6, 2023. Accessed December 23, 2023.
  9. ^ New Jersey State Constitution 1947 (Updated Through Amendments Adopted in November, 2020): Article IV, Section II, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 28, 2022.
  10. ^ Legislative Roster for District 3, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 21, 2024.
  11. ^ Sunbeam, Today's (March 30, 2012). "Assemblyman John Burzichelli presented with Legislative Excellence Award by New Jersey Council of County Colleges". nj.
  12. ^ Pensiero, Nicole (October 21, 1990). "Paulsboro Puts Its Pride On Line". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved August 28, 2015. Burzichelli, son of Paulsboro Mayor John D. Burzichelli, is one such believer. A 1972 graduate of Paulsboro High School, he knows his community well and is unflinching in his willingness to discuss the town's problems as well as its strengths.
  13. ^ Home page, 5OnTheWeb.com. Accessed January 16, 2014.
  14. ^ "Official List, Candidates for State Senate for GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2023 Election" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  15. ^ "NJ General Assembly 03" (PDF). Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  16. ^ "NJ General Assembly 03". Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  17. ^ "2017-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  18. ^ "2015-official-ge-results-nj-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  19. ^ "2011-official-gen-elect-gen-assembly-results-121411.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  20. ^ "2013-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  21. ^ "2009-official-gen-elect-gen-assembly-tallies-120109.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  22. ^ "2007-official-general-election-tallies(ga)-12.12.07.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  23. ^ "05831236.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  24. ^ "2003g_a_candidate_tally.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  25. ^ "2001-general-elect-gen-assembly-tallies.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  26. ^ "1999-general-elect-gen-assembly-candidate-tallies.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 April 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2019.

External links[edit]

Political offices
Preceded by
James A. Sabetta
Mayor of Paulsboro, New Jersey
January 1, 1996–December 31, 2011
Succeeded by
W. Jeffery Hamilton
New Jersey General Assembly
Preceded by Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the 3rd district

January 8, 2002–January 11, 2022
Served alongside: Douglas H. Fisher, Celeste Riley, Adam Taliaferro
Succeeded by
New Jersey Senate
Preceded by Member of the New Jersey Senate
from the 3rd district

January 9, 2024–present
Incumbent