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Frank LoBiondo

Summary

Frank Alo LoBiondo (/ˌloʊbiˈɒndoʊ/: born May 12, 1946) is an American businessman and politician who served as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 2nd congressional district from 1995 to 2019. He is a member of the Republican Party. He represented all of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem Counties and parts of Camden, Gloucester, Burlington, and Ocean Counties. In November 2017, LoBiondo announced that he would retire from Congress at the end of his term, and did not seek re-election in 2018.[1]

Frank LoBiondo
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2019
Preceded byWilliam Hughes
Succeeded byJeff Van Drew
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the 1st district
In office
January 12, 1988 – January 3, 1995
Preceded byJoseph W. Chinnici
Guy F. Muziani
Succeeded byNicholas Asselta
Personal details
Born
Frank Alo LoBiondo

(1946-05-12) May 12, 1946 (age 77)
Bridgeton, New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Jan LoBiondo (Divorced)
Tina Ercole
​
(m. 2004)​
Children2
EducationSaint Joseph's University (BA)

Early life, education, and business career edit

Born in Bridgeton, LoBiondo was raised on a farm in the Rosenhayn section of Deerfield Township.[2] He attended Georgetown Preparatory School, and received a B.A. in Business Administration from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He worked for twenty-six years in a family-owned trucking company.

Early political career edit

LoBiondo served on the Cumberland County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1985 to 1987. In 1987, he was elected to New Jersey's 1st Legislative district in the lower chamber of the New Jersey General Assembly and served from 1988 to 1994. He won re-election in 1989, 1991, and 1993.

U.S. House of Representatives edit

Elections edit

 
LoBiondo watches as President Donald Trump signs The Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018

In 1992, LoBiondo ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, but was defeated by incumbent Democrat William Hughes by a wide margin. When Hughes declined to run for re-election in 1994, LoBiondo ran again and was elected to the House. He was a member of the Republican freshman class elected in the 1994 midterm election and was part of Speaker Newt Gingrich's Contract with America. From that point on, he won every reelection bid with at least 59% of the vote even though he represented a district that was considered marginally Democratic-leaning on paper. In 2012, his district gave President Barack Obama 54% of the vote. In 2016 the district gave President Donald J. Trump a 5-point victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

2014 edit

LoBiondo ran for reelection to the U.S. House in 2014. He won the Republican nomination in the primary election on June 3, 2014. He faced Democrat William J. Hughes, his predecessor's son, in the general election.

He was endorsed by Gov. Chris Christie, the Laborers’ International Union of North America, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council, and the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police.[3][4][5][6]

2016 edit

Lobiondo was reelected to the U.S. House in 2016. He did not have a challenger in the Republican primary and was victorious over Democrat David Cole in the general election.

Committee assignments edit

Caucus memberships edit

Embezzlement by campaign treasurer edit

On March 4, 2011, Andrew J. McCrosson Jr., who served as treasurer of LoBiondo's congressional campaign committee from 1995 until August 2010, pleaded guilty in federal district court to charges of embezzling more than $458,000 from campaign accounts over a fifteen-year period. The charges included one count of wire fraud and one count of converting funds contributed to a federal candidate. LoBiondo's campaign attorney called this "an abuse of the trust placed in him by the campaign."[8] McCrosson was sentenced 30 months in prison.[9]

Electoral history edit

New Jersey's 2nd congressional district: Results 1992–2010[10]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
1992 William J. Hughes 132,465 56% Frank A. LoBiondo 98,315 41% Roger W. Bacon Libertarian 2,575 1% Joseph Ponczek Anti-Tax 2,067 1% Andrea Lippi Freedom, Equality, Prosperity 1,605 1%
1994 Louis N. Magazzu 56,151 35% Frank A. LoBiondo 102,566 65%
1996 Ruth Katz 83,890 38% Frank A. LoBiondo 133,131 60% David Rodger Headrick Independent 1,439 1% Judith Lee Azaren Independent 1,174 1% Andrea Lippi Independent 1,084 <1%
1998 Derek Hunsberger 43,563 31% Frank A. LoBiondo 93,248 66% Glenn Campbell Independent 2,955 2% Mary A. Whittam Independent 1,748 1%
2000 Edward G. Janosik 74,632 32% Frank A. LoBiondo 155,187 66% Robert Gabrielsky Independent 3,252 1% Constantino Rozzo Independent 788 <1%
2002 Steven A. Farkas 47,735 28% Frank A. LoBiondo 116,834 69% Roger Merle Green 1,739 1% Michael J. Matthews, Jr. Libertarian 1,720 1% Costantino Rozzo Socialist 771 <1%
2004 Timothy J. Robb 86,792 33% Frank A. LoBiondo 172,779 65% Willie Norwood Jobs Equality Business 1,993 1% Michael J. Matthews, Jr. Libertarian 1,767 1% Jose David Alcantara Green 1,516 1% Costantino Rozzo Socialist Party USA 595 <1%
2006 Viola Thomas-Hughes 62,364 35% Frank A. LoBiondo 109,040 62% Robert E. Mullock Preserve Green Space 1,993 2% Lynn Merle A New Direction 957 1% Thomas Fanslau We The People 587 <1% Willie Norwood Socialist Party USA 368 <1%
2008 David C. Kurkowski 110,990 39% Frank A. LoBiondo 167,701 59% Jason M. Grover Green 1,763 1% Peter Frank Boyce Constitution 1,551 1% Gary Stein Rock the Boat 1,312 <1% Costantino Rozzo Socialist Party USA 648 <1%
2010 Gary Stein 51,690 31% Frank A. LoBiondo 109,460 66% Peter Frank Boyce Constitution 4,120 2% Mark Lovett Independent 1,123 1% Vitov Valdes-Munoz American Labor Party 727 <1%

Political positions edit

LoBiondo was a member of the moderate Republican Main Street Partnership.[11] His record on several issues, particularly the environment and labor union votes, fitted a moderate Republican. In 2005, National Journal ranked him as the most liberal Republican representative in New Jersey and more liberal than most of New York's Republican congressional representatives.[12] Americans for Democratic Action in 2005 placed him in a higher liberal quotient than most of the Republican representatives in those two states.[13]

LoBiondo was ranked as the 13th most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 114th United States Congress (and the most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey) in the Bipartisan Index created by The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy that ranks members of the United States Congress by their degree of bipartisanship (by measuring the frequency each member's bills attract co-sponsors from the opposite party and each member's co-sponsorship of bills by members of the opposite party).[14]

Abortion edit

LoBiondo opposes taxpayer-funded abortion except in cases of incest, rape or threat to the life of the mother.[15] He consistently voted against federal funding for abortion whenever it came to a vote.[16]

Cannabis edit

LoBiondo has a "B" rating from NORML for his voting record regarding cannabis-related matters. He has supported the Veterans Equal Access Amendment, which provides veterans information on accessing medical marijuana based on state law.[17]

Donald Trump edit

He endorsed Chris Christie in the Republican primary. In the general election he supported the GOP ticket but rescinded his support for Republican nominee Donald Trump in October 2016 after the Donald Trump and Billy Bush recording surfaced, but ultimately ended up voting for him.[18][19]

Economy edit

He voted against the $15 billion bailout for GM and Chrysler in 2008.[20] as well as the 2008 Troubled Asset Relief Program. In early 2008, he voted against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In December 2017, he voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Environment and energy edit

LoBiondo has been endorsed by various environmental groups including the League of Conservation Voters. An advocate for renewable energies especially nuclear power, he has consistently opposed offshore drilling off the coast of New Jersey, sponsoring legislation in each Congress during the past decade.[21]

Foreign policy edit

Considered a defense hawk in Congress, LoBiondo was a member of the House Armed Services Committee and joined in the bipartisan support of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.[20] In 2013 LoBiondo opposed Obama's request for congressional authorization to use force against the Assad regime in Syria.

Gambling edit

In 2012, LoBiondo, along with Democratic congressman Frank Pallone, introduced legislation allowing states to legalize sports betting, then only allowed in four states, arguing it would strengthen Atlantic City as a venue for tourists’ dollars.[22]

Healthcare edit

He is in favor of repealing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and voted in favor of the resolution that began the process of repealing Obamacare in January 2017.[15][23] In 2013, he said that Obamacare was "too deeply flawed to implement and ultimately unworkable."[24]

LGBT rights edit

LoBiondo was endorsed by Garden State Equality in his 2016 election [25] and a cosponsor of the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act that would bar discrimination against LGBT individuals in the workplace. In 2011, LoBiondo appeared in an It Gets Better Project video, part of a YouTube campaign reaching out to young gay teens who have been bullied and is a cosponsor of the Safe Schools Improvement Act to respond to bullying of LGBT students in schools.[26]

Tax reform edit

LoBiondo voted no on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[27] He opposed the bill due to the $10,000 cap on deductions that he described as being "detrimental in my high-tax state of New Jersey."[28]

Term limits edit

In 1994, LoBiondo pledged to only serve six terms in Congress.[29] In 2004 he announced that he would break his term limits pledge and allow the voters to decide. He retired after twelve terms.

Veterans edit

LoBiondo has made improving VA services in South Jersey a top priority while in Congress, including new clinics in Northfield, Vineland and Cape May Court House (to open in late 2018).[30] He has introduced legislation - the Veterans Health ID Act [31] to allow veterans receive an ID card that allows them care at VA expense at any non-VA medical facility.

References edit

  1. ^ Giaritelli, Anna (November 7, 2017). "GOP Rep. Frank LoBiondo will not seek re-election". The Washington Examiner. Washington, DC. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  2. ^ Tamari, Jonathan. "N.J.'s LoBiondo to retire, opening competitive House seat", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 7, 2017. Accessed October 30, 2019. "'For a boy who grew up on a farm in Rosenhayn and looked to his father as a role model of how to do the right thing for the right reason, it has been a privilege to be South Jersey's voice in Congress,' LoBiondo said in his statement."
  3. ^ "Gov. Chris Christie endorses Rep. Frank LoBiondo for re-election at news conference". New Jersey News 12. June 1, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  4. ^ "Laborers Give Early Endorsement to Frank LoBiondo". NJ Laborers. October 28, 2013. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  5. ^ "LoBiondo endorsed by trade union council". The Press of Atlantic City. May 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  6. ^ Degener, Richard (March 6, 2014). "LoBiondo to face Hughes in November for 2nd District seat in Congress". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  7. ^ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  8. ^ Jason Grant (March 4, 2011). "U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo's former campaign aide admits stealing $458K". New Jersey Star Ledger. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  9. ^ John Barna (September 8, 2011). "Former LoBiondo campaign treasurer to spend 30 months in prison for embezzling $458,000". New Jersey On-Line. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  10. ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Archived from the original on July 25, 2007. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
  11. ^ Urgo, Jacqueline (October 25, 2010). "In New Jersey's 2d District, LoBiondo foe tries a new tack". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  12. ^ "National Special Interest Groups - The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  13. ^ "Americans For Democratic Action and ADA Ed. Fund (see pdf on 2005 voting records)". Archived from the original on March 10, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  14. ^ The Lugar Center - McCourt School Bipartisan Index (PDF), The Lugar Center, March 7, 2016, retrieved April 30, 2017
  15. ^ a b "The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  16. ^ "US House of Representatives Roll Call Votes". Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  17. ^ "New Jersey Scorecard - NORML.org - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws". norml.org. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  18. ^ Smilowitz, Elliot (November 8, 2016). "NJ rep votes for Trump after rescinding endorsement". TheHill. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  19. ^ "First N.J. Republican lawmaker withdraws support for Trump". NJ.com. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  20. ^ a b OnTheIssues.org. "Frank LoBiondo on the Issues". www.ontheissues.org. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  21. ^ "H.R.728 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): To prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing oil and gas leases on portions of the Outer Continental Shelf located off the coast of New Jersey. | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". congress.gov. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  22. ^ Sieroty, Chris (May 1, 2012). "Sports betting gets a push in New Jersey". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  23. ^ Bycoffe, Aaron (January 30, 2017). "Tracking Frank A. LoBiondo In The Age Of Trump". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  24. ^ "Opinion: N.J. Congressman LoBiondo calls Obamacare 'too deeply flawed to implement'". NJ.com. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  25. ^ "GARDEN STATE EQUALITY ANNOUNCES LIST OF BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS". Garden State Equality. October 13, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  26. ^ "H.R.1957 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2017 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". congress.gov. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  27. ^ Almukhtar, Sarah (December 19, 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  28. ^ Diamond, Michael L. "NJ home sales: Will the tax bill hurt them?". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  29. ^ "Chris Christie goes 'all in' with endorsement of South Jersey Rep. LoBiondo". NJ.com. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  30. ^ "New space, new era for South Jersey veterans' health care". NJ.com. May 10, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  31. ^ "H.R.1254 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Veterans Health ID Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress". congress.gov. Retrieved May 4, 2018.

External links edit

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 2nd congressional district
1995–2019 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative 		Succeeded byas Former US Representative

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