Bob Franks: Difference between revisions
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|date of birth= {{birth date|1951|09|21}} |
|date of birth= {{birth date|1951|09|21}} |
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|place of birth= [[Hackensack, New Jersey]], [[United States|U.S.]] |
|place of birth= [[Hackensack, New Jersey]], [[United States|U.S.]] |
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|date of death= {{dda|2010|04| |
|date of death= {{dda|2010|04|09|1951|09|21}} |
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|place of death= [[New York, New York]], [[United States|U.S.]] |
|place of death= [[New York, New York]], [[United States|U.S.]] |
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'''Robert Douglas Franks''' (September 21, 1951-September |
'''Robert Douglas Franks''' (September 21, 1951-September 9, 2010) was a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] politician. He was a former [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] from [[New Jersey]]. |
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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Franks grew up in Glen Rock, for a while in suburban Chicago, and then in Summit. He graduated from [[DePauw University]] in 1973 and from law school at [[Southern Methodist University]] in 1976. He had been involved in Republican politics while growing up, including the races of [[List of United States Senators from Illinois|Senator]] [[Charles H. Percy]]. As a teenager, he returned to his home state. While in [[Summit, New Jersey]], he became involved with the [[Young Republicans]] and the Kean for Assembly races. Franks helped to found the Union County Young Republicans Franks then served as an aide, consultant and campaign manager to several congressman including [[Jim Courter]] and [[Dean Gallo]] as well as [[Governor of New Jersey|Governor]] [[Thomas Kean]]. The primary profession of Franks, however, was that of a newspaper publisher. |
Franks grew up in Glen Rock, for a while in suburban Chicago, and then in Summit. He graduated from [[DePauw University]] in 1973 and from law school at [[Southern Methodist University]] in 1976. He had been involved in Republican politics while growing up, including the races of [[List of United States Senators from Illinois|Senator]] [[Charles H. Percy]]. As a teenager, he returned to his home state. While in [[Summit, New Jersey]], he became involved with the [[Young Republicans]] and the Kean for Assembly races. Franks helped to found the Union County Young Republicans Franks then served as an aide, consultant and campaign manager to several congressman including [[Jim Courter]] and [[Dean Gallo]] as well as [[Governor of New Jersey|Governor]] [[Thomas Kean]]. The primary profession of Franks, however, was that of a newspaper publisher. |
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Franks served as President of the [[Health Care Institute of New Jersey]]. There was speculation he might run again for Congress when his successor, [[Mike Ferguson (New Jersey politician)|Mike Ferguson]], announced in 2007 that he would not seek reelection in 2008. However, Franks then declined to declare, saying "Representing the people of Central New Jersey in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2001 was one of the important and rewarding experiences of my life; however I find my work at the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey very fulfilling and I'm enjoying nights and weekends with my family... I have no desire to run for Congress next year."<ref>[http://politickernj.com/franks-wont-seek-return-house-14176 Franks won't seek return to House | Politicker NJ<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
Franks served as President of the [[Health Care Institute of New Jersey]]. There was speculation he might run again for Congress when his successor, [[Mike Ferguson (New Jersey politician)|Mike Ferguson]], announced in 2007 that he would not seek reelection in 2008. However, Franks then declined to declare, saying "Representing the people of Central New Jersey in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2001 was one of the important and rewarding experiences of my life; however I find my work at the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey very fulfilling and I'm enjoying nights and weekends with my family... I have no desire to run for Congress next year."<ref>[http://politickernj.com/franks-wont-seek-return-house-14176 Franks won't seek return to House | Politicker NJ<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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Franks died of [[cancer]] at [[Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital]] in [[New York City]] on September |
Franks died of [[cancer]] at [[Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital]] in [[New York City]] on September 9, 2010. |
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==Electoral history== |
==Electoral history== |
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{{Election box end}} |
{{Election box end}} |
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Franks died on April 9, 2010 after a brief battle with cancer. |
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==References== |
==References== |
Revision as of 15:55, 10 April 2010
Bob Franks | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 7th district | |
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2001 | |
Preceded by | Matthew J. Rinaldo |
Succeeded by | Mike Ferguson |
Personal details | |
Political party | Republican |
Robert Douglas Franks (September 21, 1951-September 9, 2010) was a Republican politician. He was a former U.S. Representative from New Jersey.
Biography
Franks grew up in Glen Rock, for a while in suburban Chicago, and then in Summit. He graduated from DePauw University in 1973 and from law school at Southern Methodist University in 1976. He had been involved in Republican politics while growing up, including the races of Senator Charles H. Percy. As a teenager, he returned to his home state. While in Summit, New Jersey, he became involved with the Young Republicans and the Kean for Assembly races. Franks helped to found the Union County Young Republicans Franks then served as an aide, consultant and campaign manager to several congressman including Jim Courter and Dean Gallo as well as Governor Thomas Kean. The primary profession of Franks, however, was that of a newspaper publisher.
In 1979, Franks was a candidate for Union County Freeholder when State Senator Peter J. McDonough resigned. Assemblyman Donald DiFrancesco ran for the Senate, and Franks switched to the Assembly race. He defeated Marie Kissebeth, the Berkley Heights mayor, at the Republican convention.
When he was redistricted into a Union/Essex district in 1981 and Essex Republicans demanded an Assembly seat, Franks survived and the Union Republicans dumped another incumbent, William Maguire. He was re-elected in 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1991.
While in the Assembly, he also served two terms as chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee, 1987-89 and 1990-92. In the second term, finding widespread voter discontent with Governor Jim Florio's tax hikes, he led the Republican Party to winning veto-proof majorities in both houses of the Legislature.
He was succeeded in the Assembly by Alan Augustine.[1]
In 1992 Franks was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives (succeeding Matt Rinaldo), and served four terms in the House from 1993 to 2001. While he was a congressman, he was a member of the Transportation Committee and involved with transportation issues. He was known as a budget "hawk" and was a strong supporter of the Contract with America, including voluntary terms limits.
In 2000, Franks gave up his House seat (true to his "term limits" vow) to become the Republican candidate to the open Senate seat from New Jersey. However, he was defeated by Democrat Jon Corzine.
In this race Franks was far outspent by Corzine, a former CEO, by 48 million dollars, yet still was the closest the Republicans have ever come to winning a New Jersey Senate seat since they last won one in 1972. He was defeated for the Republican nomination for New Jersey governor in 2001 by Bret Schundler.
Franks entered the 2001 governor's race reluctantly, following the withdrawal of former Governor Donald DiFrancesco, after having previous announced that he would not be a candidate. It is believed this late start cost him the primary as Schundler had a big head start in campaigning and fundraising.
Franks remains involved in New Jersey politics and is often mentioned as a potential candidate for high offices, but in the past Franks has discouraged such speculation. Many think that his next public office, if any, will be appointive.
Franks served as President of the Health Care Institute of New Jersey. There was speculation he might run again for Congress when his successor, Mike Ferguson, announced in 2007 that he would not seek reelection in 2008. However, Franks then declined to declare, saying "Representing the people of Central New Jersey in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2001 was one of the important and rewarding experiences of my life; however I find my work at the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey very fulfilling and I'm enjoying nights and weekends with my family... I have no desire to run for Congress next year."[2]
Franks died of cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City on September 9, 2010.
Electoral history
Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1992 | Leonard Sendelsky | 105,761 | 43% | Bob Franks | 132,174 | 53% | Eugene J. Gillespie | Independent | 4,043 | 2% | Bill Campbell | No Nonsense Government | 2,612 | 1% | Spencer Layman | Libertarian | 1,964 | 1% | * | |||||
1994 | Karen Carroll | 64,231 | 39% | Bob Franks | 98,814 | 60% | James J. Cleary | LaRouche Was Right | 2,331 | 1% | * | |||||||||||||
1996 | Larry Lerner | 97,285 | 42% | Bob Franks | 128,821 | 55% | Dorothy DeLaura | Independent | 4,076 | 2% | Nicholas Gentile | Independent | 1,693 | 1% | Robert G. Robertson | Independent | 696 | <1% | ||||||
1998 | Maryanne Connelly | 65,776 | 44% | Bob Franks | 77,751 | 53% | Richard C. Martin | Independent | 3,007 | 2% | Darren Young | Independent | 1,508 | 1% |
Candidate | Pct | Candidate | Pct | Candidate | Pct | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bob Franks | 36% | William Gormley | 34% | Others | 30% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jon S. Corzine | 1,511,237 | 50 | ||
Republican | Bob Franks | 1,420,267 | 47 | ||
Independent | Bruce Afran | 32,841 | 1 | ||
Independent | Pat DiNizio | 19,312 | 1 | ||
Independent | Emerson Ellett | 7,241 | <1% | ||
Independent | Dennis A. Breen | 6,061 | <1% | ||
Independent | J. M. Carter | 5,657 | <1% | ||
Independent | Lorraine LaNeve | 3,836 | <1% | ||
Independent | Gregory Pason | 3,365 | <1% | ||
Independent | Nancy Rosenstock | 3,309 | <1% | ||
Independent | George Gostigian | 2,536 | <1% | ||
Majority | 90,970 | 3 | |||
Democratic hold | Swing |
References
- ^ Leusner, Donna. "Alan Augustine, Scotch Plains mayor and assemblyman", The Star-Ledger, June 12, 2001.
- ^ Franks won't seek return to House | Politicker NJ
- ^ a b "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
- United States Congress. "Bob Franks (id: F000349)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- 1951 births
- Living people
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey
- Members of the New Jersey General Assembly
- DePauw University alumni
- Southern Methodist University alumni
- People from Hackensack, New Jersey
- People from Union County, New Jersey
- People from Chicago, Illinois
- State political party chairs of New Jersey
- New Jersey Republicans