| Revision as of 08:20, 13 October 2007 editSmackBot (talk | contribs)3,734,324 edits Standard headings &/or gen fixes.← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:09, 26 November 2007 edit undoAlansohn (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers505,080 edits copyedit and wikify re bio; refine catNext edit → | ||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
| '''John O. Bennett III''' (born ], ]) is a former ] ] who served as ], ] of the State Senate, and ] ] during the course of his career. | '''John O. Bennett III''' (born ], ]) is a former ] ] who served as ], ] of the State Senate, and ] ] during the course of his career. | ||
| In June |
In June 2002, Bennett was involved in a shoving match with ] ] boss and ] CEO ] after Norcross threatened to publicize a pardon Bennett gave during his three day executive tenure if Bennett could not convince his fellow Republican senators to vote for a tax increase and stadium construction bill in committee. | ||
| As President of the Senate he served as acting Governor for three and a half days in January 2002 following the resignation of Governor ]. Bennett's predecessor as Senate President, ] had previously served as acting Governor, and Bennett in turn succeeded to the office of acting governor when DiFrancesco's term ended and he was elected as the new Senate President. | As President of the Senate he served as acting Governor for three and a half days in January 2002 following the resignation of Governor ]. Bennett's predecessor as Senate President, ] had previously served as acting Governor, and Bennett in turn succeeded to the office of acting governor when DiFrancesco's term ended and he was elected as the new Senate President. | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
| ==Education== | ==Education== | ||
| Bennett attended ] from 1966 to 1968, graduated from ] with a ] in 1970, and earned a ] from ] in 1974. | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 53: | Line 53: | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 19:09, 26 November 2007
| John O. Bennett III | |
|---|---|
| Acting Governor of New Jersey | |
| In office January 8 2002 – January 12 2002 | |
| Preceded by | John Farmer Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Richard Codey (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 6 1948 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Peg Bennett |
John O. Bennett III (born August 6, 1948) is a former New Jersey Republican politician who served as State Senator, President of the State Senate, and acting Governor of New Jersey during the course of his career.
In June 2002, Bennett was involved in a shoving match with South Jersey Democratic Party boss and Commerce National Insurance CEO George Norcross after Norcross threatened to publicize a pardon Bennett gave during his three day executive tenure if Bennett could not convince his fellow Republican senators to vote for a tax increase and stadium construction bill in committee.
As President of the Senate he served as acting Governor for three and a half days in January 2002 following the resignation of Governor Christine Todd Whitman. Bennett's predecessor as Senate President, Donald DiFrancesco had previously served as acting Governor, and Bennett in turn succeeded to the office of acting governor when DiFrancesco's term ended and he was elected as the new Senate President.
During his service as acting governor, Bennett appeared on national television as part of the "five governors in a week" news cycle. He signed legislation into law, appointed judges, granted a pardon, created a nursing advisory council, and hosted several parties at Drumthwacket. The nursing advisory council was a tribute to his wife, Peg, a nurse. Peg Bennett was active during her tenure as First Lady of New Jersey.
Bennett fell out of favor as a result of allegations that he overbilled the municipality of Marlboro Township for legal services. In a statement to the press, Bennett blamed party bosses and a biased press for attempting to destroy him. Bennett was a leading opponent of using state funds to construct a convention center/stadium in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey that would have been used by a minor league ice hockey team that Norcross had bought an interest in.
John Bennett failed in his 2003 bid for re-election to the State Senate. In the 2005 primary election he was elected Republican State Committeeman for Monmouth County. His candidacy for this minor party position was considered controversial based on his past, even though he was unopposed for the post.
Education
Bennett attended Dickinson College from 1966 to 1968, graduated from West Virginia University with a B.A. in 1970, and earned a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1974.
References
- D'Ambrosio, Roberts, & Symons (March 15, 2003). Grand jury subpoenas secretary - Bennett to keep top Senate job, run again. Asbury Park Press.
- Murphy, Brian P. (July 1, 2002). Senatorial suspense on the CBT and arena. PoliticsNJ.com
External links
| Preceded byActing Governor John Farmer Jr. | Acting Governor of New Jersey January 8, 2002–January 12, 2002 |
Succeeded byActing Governor Richard Codey |