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John J. Burzichelli (born November 14, 1954) is an American Democratic Party politician from Paulsboro, New Jersey, who has the Senator from the state's 3rd Legislative District since January 9, 2024, a seat which he won by defeating incumbent Edward Durr in the 2023 New Jersey Senate election.

Prior to winning election to the state Senate, Burzichelli served in New Jersey General Assembly for the 3rd District from 2002 to 2022, spending the last sixteen years of his time there as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.

New Jersey Assembly

Burzichelli was the Assistant Majority Leader during the 2004-05 session and has been the Assembly's Deputy Speaker since 2006. Burzichelli had been the Mayor of Paulsboro from 1996 until 2011. From 2002 until 2011, he served as both mayor and Assemblyman which was allowed in New Jersey until 2007 when dual mandates were banned. Burzichelli was grandfathered under the law passed and allowed to continue serve in both posts until he stepped down from the mayoral post in 2011. He was president of Paulsboro Chamber of Commerce and a member of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Executive Board. In the 2011 apportionment based on the results of the 2010 United States census, Republican Domenick DiCicco was moved from the 4th Legislative District into District 3. Burzichelli (with 25,172 votes) and Celeste Riley (23,960) won re-election, defeating DiCicco (20,268) and his running mate Bob Villare (20,528). DiCicco's loss made his seat the only gain by the Democrats in the Assembly in the 2011 election cycle. In December 2016, Burzichelli was one of several Catholic elected officials who supported legislation legalizing assisted suicide, saying that state residents should be able to make their own decisions on a matter that "is about choice". In 2019 the Assisted Suicide bill passed the legislature.

In the 2021 general election, Republicans Bethanne McCarthy Patrick and Beth Sawyer in the Assembly and Edward Durr in the Senate, knocked off Democratic incumbents Stephen M. Sweeney in the Senate and Burzichelli and Adam Taliaferro in the Assembly. Before the election, the district had been viewed as a "solidly blue" safe district for Democrats.

New Jersey Senate

In the 2023 general election, Burzichelli ran for the Senate seat together with Heather Simmons and David Bailey in the Assembly, defeating Edward Durr in the Senate, and Republican incumbent Bethanne McCarthy Patrick and newcomer Thomas J. Tedesco, Jr. in the Assembly, taking back the district for the Democrats.

Committee assignments

Committee assignments for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:

• Budget and Appropriations
• Legislative Oversight
• Transportation

District 3

Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. Representatives from the 3rd District for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:

• Senator John Burzichelli (D)
• Assemblywoman David Bailey (D)
• Assemblywoman Heather Simmons (D)

Personal life

Burzichelli is a long-time resident of Paulsboro. He is of Italian descent. His father, John D. Burzichelli also served as mayor of the borough. He is a 1972 graduate of Paulsboro High School. Burzichelli makes a brief cameo in Kevin Smith's film Jersey Girl, parts of which were filmed in Paulsboro. He is owner / producer / distributor of Hill Studio & Scenic. He is as a former movie producer and wrestling promoter. He owns a number of antique fire engines using them for both business (Hill Studio) and pleasure and is a member of the Glasstown Antique Fire Brigade. He also owns the remnants of the Ward LaFrance a now-defunct fire engine manufacturer. Several of his antique fire engines are Ward LaFrance models of varying years. Burzichelli co-authored the book Ward LaFrance Fire Trucks: 1918-1978 Photo Archive. One of his fire trucks, formerly owned by Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, is displayed on the cover. He is one of the founding members of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Paulsboro and a former President of the Greater Paulsboro Chamber of Commerce. Burzichelli is the co-host of the show Eye on Paulsboro which has been on cable for over 25 years.

Electoral history

Senate

Assembly

2021 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Beth Sawyer	33,878	26.2%	3.2
	Republican	Bethanne McCarthy Patrick	33,735	26.1%	4.2
	Democratic	John J. Burzichelli (incumbent)	31,024	24.0%	3.8
	Democratic	Adam Taliaferro (incumbent)	30,537	23.6%	3.5
Total votes			129,174	100.0%

2019 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Burzichelli (incumbent)	23,811	27.8%	2.5
	Democratic	Adam Taliaferro (incumbent)	23,719	27.1%	2.1
	Republican	Beth Sawyer	19,704	23.0%	2.7
	Republican	Edward R. Durr	18,742	21.9%	2.7
Total votes

2017 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Burzichelli (incumbent)	31,853	30.3	1.8
	Democratic	Adam Taliaferro (incumbent)	30,733	29.2	2.1
	Republican	Philip J. Donohue	21,758	20.7	1.6
	Republican	Linwood H. Donelson III	20,181	19.2	1.2
	One for All	Edward R. Durr	589	0.6	N/A
Total votes			'105,114'	'100.0'

2015 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Burzichelli (incumbent)	20,507	28.5	0.5
	Democratic	Adam Taliaferro (incumbent)	19,480	27.1	0.2
	Republican	Samuel J. Maccarone Jr.	16,063	22.3	0.3
	Republican	Leroy P. Pierce III	14,715	20.4	2.0
	The People's Voice	John Kalnas	1,223	1.7	N/A
Total votes			'71,988'	'100.0'

2013 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Burzichelli (incumbent)	31,049	28.0	0.0
	Democratic	Celeste Riley (incumbent)	29,870	26.9	0.3
	Republican	Larry Wallace	25,094	22.6	0.2
	Republican	Bob Vanderslice	24,823	22.4	0.1
Total votes			'110,836'	'100.0'

2009 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Burzichelli (incumbent)	35,423	28.3	1.2
	Democratic	Celeste Riley (incumbent)	31,888	25.5	3.8
	Republican	Robert Villare	30,526	24.4	5.4
	Republican	Lee Lucas	27,316	21.8	3.4
Total votes			'125,153'	'100.0'

2007 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Burzichelli (incumbent)	30,222	29.5	0.1
	Democratic	Douglas H. Fisher (incumbent)	30,078	29.3	0.2
	Republican	Phil Donohue	19,534	19.0	1.2
	Republican	Jeffrey Stepler	18,927	18.4	1.1
	Green	Margie MacWilliams	2,078	2.0	N/A
	Green	Charles Woodrow	1,755	1.7	N/A
Total votes			'102,594'	'100.0'

2005 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Burzichelli (incumbent)	35,339	29.6	4.3
	Democratic	Douglas H. Fisher (incumbent)	35,265	29.5	4.1
	Republican	Phillip S. Rhudy	24,140	20.2	3.2
	Republican	James W. Zee III	23,297	19.5	3.0
	Constitution	John Leone	1,535	1.3	N/A
Total votes			'119,576'	'100.0'

2003 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Douglas H. Fisher (incumbent)	27,178	25.4	2.7
	Democratic	John Burzichelli (incumbent)	27,110	25.3	1.3
	Republican	Susan Bestwick	25,056	23.4	0.6
	Republican	Douglas Sorantino	24,069	22.5	0.0
	Green	Peggy Murphy	1,951	1.8	N/A
	Green	Charles Woodrow	1,627	1.5	N/A
Total votes			'106,991'	'100.0'

1999 New Jersey General Assembly election for the 3rd Legislative District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jack Collins (incumbent)	28,609	31.0	5.3
	Republican	Gary Stuhltrager (incumbent)	24,573	26.6	7.5
	Democratic	John Burzichelli	20,658	22.4	1.6
	Democratic	Ron Brittin	15,440	16.7	15.4
	Conservative	Jan McFetridge	1,599	1.7	2.0
	Conservative	Bob McFetridge	1,333	1.4	2.5
Total votes			'92,212'	'100.0'

References

1. via Associated Press. "N.J. Lawmakers keep double dipping", WPVI-TV, March 4, 2008. Accessed June 4, 2009.
2. ^ Senator John J. Burzichelli (D), New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 21, 2024.
3. Official List Candidate Returns for General Assembly For November 2011 General Election, New Jersey Department of State, December 6, 2011. Accessed April 27, 2017.
4. Staff. "N.J. legislative elections results: Democrats fend off GOP funding, Christie campaigning", The Star-Ledger, November 9, 2011. Accessed December 12, 2011. "The Democrats' sole gain came thanks to redistricting. Assemblyman Domenick DiCicco (R-Gloucester), the only Republican to win a Democrat-held seat two years ago, was shifted into a district with two Democratic incumbents and immediately faced an uphill battle to stay in the Legislature."
5. Alex, Patricia. "Catholic lawmakers support assisted suicide despite faith", The Record, December 13, 2016. Accessed July 15, 2019. "'I don’t view the Catholic Church as an adversary,' said Assemblyman John Burzichelli, who sponsored the assisted suicide bill. Burzichelli is a Catholic but says the church opposition didn’t give him pause as he gathered input on the legislation. 'This is about choice,' he said."
6. Smith, Joseph P. "Steve Sweeney trailing Republican truck driver Ed Durr in NJ Third District", The Daily Journal, November 3, 2021. Accessed January 21, 2024. "Durr and GOP General Assembly running mates Beth McCarthy Patrick and Beth Sawyer, based on unofficial final results Wednesday, have flipped the solidly 'blue' Third Legislative District into the Republican column. It has been two decades since a Republican represented the Third District in the Senate or Assembly. Generally, Democratic state Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney and Assemblymen John Burzichelli and Adam Taliaferro were regarded as overseeing a safe district."
7. Connolly, John. "NJ election results 2023: State Senate, Assembly seats decided", The Record, November 9, 2023. Accessed December 23, 2023.
8. Official List Candidates for State Senate for General Election November 7, 2023, New Jersey Department of State, December 6, 2023. Accessed December 23, 2023.
9. New Jersey State Constitution 1947 (Updated Through Amendments Adopted in November, 2020): Article IV, Section II, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 28, 2022.
10. Legislative Roster for District 3, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 21, 2024.
11. Sunbeam, Today's (March 30, 2012). "Assemblyman John Burzichelli presented with Legislative Excellence Award by New Jersey Council of County Colleges". nj.
12. Pensiero, Nicole (October 21, 1990). "Paulsboro Puts Its Pride On Line". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2015. Burzichelli, son of Paulsboro Mayor John D. Burzichelli, is one such believer. A 1972 graduate of Paulsboro High School, he knows his community well and is unflinching in his willingness to discuss the town's problems as well as its strengths.
13. Home page, 5OnTheWeb.com. Accessed January 16, 2014.
14. "Official List, Candidates for State Senate for GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2023 Election" (PDF). New Jersey Department of State. December 6, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
15. "NJ General Assembly 03" (PDF). Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
16. "NJ General Assembly 03". Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
17. "2017-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
18. "2015-official-ge-results-nj-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
19. "2011-official-gen-elect-gen-assembly-results-121411.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 November 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
20. "2013-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
21. "2009-official-gen-elect-gen-assembly-tallies-120109.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
22. "2007-official-general-election-tallies(ga)-12.12.07.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
23. "05831236.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
24. "2003g_a_candidate_tally.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
25. "2001-general-elect-gen-assembly-tallies.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
26. "1999-general-elect-gen-assembly-candidate-tallies.pdf" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 April 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2019.

External links

• Senator Burzichelli's legislative web page Archived 2008-04-11 at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Legislature
• New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms
  • 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
• Assembly Member John J. Burzichelli, Project Vote Smart

• 1954 births
• Living people
• Catholics from New Jersey
• Mayors of places in New Jersey
• Democratic Party members of the New Jersey General Assembly
• Paulsboro High School alumni
• People from Paulsboro, New Jersey
• Politicians from Gloucester County, New Jersey
• 20th-century New Jersey politicians
• 20th-century mayors of places in New Jersey
• 21st-century mayors of places in New Jersey
• American people of Italian descent
• 21st-century members of the New Jersey Legislature