Longtime N.J. lawmaker Gerald Cardinale dies at 86 following brief illness – NJ.com

State Sen. Gerald Cardinale, the second-longest-serving state lawmaker in New Jersey history and a conservative pillar in the state’s Republican Party, died Saturday morning at age 86.

The Bergen County legislator — who was in the final year of his 12th term — died at Pascack Valley Hospital after a brief illness, not related to the coronavirus, the Senate Republican Office said.

Cardinale represented North Jersey’s 39th legislative district for 42 years, first in the state Assembly and then the Senate — a tenure that spanned 10 New Jersey governors and and eight American presidents.

Only state Sen. Richard Codey, D-Essex, has served longer in the New Jersey Legislature.

Cardinale was a longtime member of the Senate’s judiciary and commerce committees and often championed conservative causes, sponsoring legislation to reform the casino industry, protect children, overhaul tax regulations, and revamp the way sex education is taught in schools.

”Gerry was one of the best politicians I’ve ever seen,” Assemblyman Robert Auth, R-Bergen, said. “There was never a hand he did not want to shake, a door he did not want to knock on, or a train station where he did not want to greet commuters with a smile. … It will be a long time before we see another public servant like Gerry Cardinale who had guts, commitment and passion for his constituents.”

Gov. Phil Murphy said all state flags will be lowered to half-staff in Cardinale’s honor when the Senate reconvenes in Trenton on Monday.

“Senator Cardinale’s 54-year record of public service to the state of New Jersey speaks to the level of trust his constituents placed in him,” said Murphy, a Democrat.

Born in Brooklyn in 1934, Cardinale received a chemistry degree from St. John’s University and then a degree from the New York University College of Dentistry in 1959. He was dentist by profession, running his own practice in Fort Lee since 1959.

He entered politics as a member of the Demarest school board in 1967 and served as the borough’s mayor from 1975-79. He was elected to the Assembly in 1979 but served only one two-year term before defeating incumbent Democrat Frank Herbert to move up to the Senate in 1981.

In the Senate, Cardinale notably co-sponsored Megan’s Law to notify residents in the state when registered sex offenders moved into their neighborhoods. He also ushered in laws requiring parental consent before children can be subject to surveys in public schools and helping small businesses obtain health insurance at affordable rates. And he sponsored a controversial measure requiring New Jersey schools to stress that abstinence is the only completely reliable method of contraception.

Cardinale ran for the Republican nomination form governor in 1989 and U.S. House in 2002 but lost both times in the primary. He was also a delegate to four Republican National Conventions.

State Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., R-Union, called Cardinale ”the dean” of the Republican Senate caucus.

”Generations of Republicans and Democrats who served alongside him in the Legislature were guided by his sage advice,“ Kean said. “We are all better legislators for having served with him.”

Numerous colleagues from both sides of the aisle remembered working with Cardinale fondly, even if they disagreed on issues.

Codey noted how he and Cardinale worked in the early 1980s on legislation to reform casinos in Atlantic City, aiming to protect them from political manipulation and the influence of the mafia in the wake of the ABSCAM scandal.

“We didn’t care what party we each belonged to,” Codey told NJ Advance Media. “I admired the guy. He was still working.”

“He lived up to his word. He always told me he no intention of resigning,” Codey added with a laugh.

Former state Sen. Raymond Lesniak remembered working with Cardinale for more than two decades on the Senate‘s commerce committee.

“Despite differences in policy, I found Senator Cardinale always well prepared and intentioned,” the Union County Democrat told NJ Advance Media.

State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, called Cardinale “a distinctive man who worked tirelessly and with sincere conviction to improve the lives of others.”

Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor this year, said Cardinale’s “life of public service is legendary and his impact on our state has been profound.“

Cardinale is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carole Cardinale, and five children.

He was planning to run for a 13th term this year and was expected to face a Republican primary challenge from Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, his district mate.

It is now up to local Republicans to choose a replacement for Cardinale in the Senate until November’s election.

Schepisi said Saturday she will miss Cardinale’s friendship and “principled leadership in Trenton.“

“We have lost an icon in our state,” she added.

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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.