Jim Florio In Livingston, New Jersey In 2000 Editorial Image

Thomas Joseph `Jim` Florio participates in a campaign debate for the Democratic Party nomination for governor at Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston, New Jersey, on May 16, 2000. Florio handily bested his rival in the debate but the deep pockets of the multi-millionaire Jon Corzine enabled him to beat Florio and go on to win the Statehouse the following November. Florio had a distinguished public career, serving in the US House of Representatives from 1975-1990. Florio won the governorship in 1990 and was narrowly defeated by Christine Todd Whitman four years later. Florio was the first Italian-American governor in New Jersey. An amateur boxer, he was a pugnacious and a controversial poltician who gained many adherents for his strong stands on environmental issues and on gun control. In the latter issue he was awarded the JFK Profile in Courage Award. But Florio had as well, made some powerful enemies, not the least of which was the National Rifle Association. Jim Florio died on September 25, 2022, in Voorhees, New Jersey, from a heart attack, at the age of 85.