Anthony Chiappone

Anthony Chiappone (b. November 13 1957, Brooklyn, New York) is an American Democratic Party politician, who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represents the 31st legislative district. He had served in the Assembly for one term, from 2004-2005, and won a second term in November 2007. [ [http://www.nj.com/elections/index.ssf/2007/11/31st_dist_democrats_face_littl.html "31st Dist: Democrat victories for Cunningham, Smith, Chiappone"] , "The Star-Ledger", November 6, 2007. Accessed December 27, 2007.]

Chiappone serves in the Assembly on the Health and Senior Services Committee, the Human Services Committee and the Regulated Professions Committee. [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=291 Assemblyman Chiappone's legislative web page] , New Jersey Legislature. Accessed August 1, 2007.] His legislative office is located at 663 Broadway in Bayonne.

Chiappone also serves as a Councilman-at-Large for the city of Bayonne having won his third four year term in May of 2006. Chiappone has served on the Bayonne City Council since 1998, as a Councilman-at-Large since 2002 and representing Bayonne's First Ward from 1998-2002. As a City Council Member, Chiappone sits on the Board of School Estimate Committee, the Bayonne Economic Development Committee, the Cable TV Committee, member of the CDBG Committee, is member of the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation, and a Commissioner of the Base Local Redevelopment Agency which oversees development of Bayonne's Peninsula.

Chiappone began his career in politics in 1994, when he produced a local community program called "Bayonne Sunnyside Up," which focused on the community events that take place in Bayonne. Chiappone then created the community action program, "Bayonne Public Forum." Through this venue, he televised meetings of the Bayonne Municipal Council, Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, local school board meetings and Bayonne Zoning & Planning Board meetings. It was through this civic participation that Chiappone became involved in local government and politics. Chiappone at that time created the civic activist watchdog group called REACT (REsponsible ACTion in Government). As an Independent municipal candidate in 2002 having successfully defeated the Council candidates of his political adversary Bayonne Mayor and Assemblyman of the 31st District Joseph V. Doria, Chiappone was selected by then Jersey City Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham to run on his legislative team in the 31st District. Along with Lou Manzo, Chiappone and Glenn Cunningham successfully defeated Joe Doria's 31st District Democratic team of Joseph V. Doria, L Harvey Smith and Elba Perez-Cinciarelli in the June 2003 Primary election. Following the death of Glenn Cunningham, Chiappone ran unsuccessfully for Senate against Joseph V. Doria in the Special election to fill the vacancy in November of 2004. Chiappone was then defeated in the Democratic Primary in June of 2005 by the team of Louis Manzo and Jersey City Superintendent Charles Epps. After once again defeating "Team Doria" for the non-paritisan Municipal Election of 2006 for the position of Councilman At-Large, Chiappone aligned himself with the wife of deceased Glenn Cunningham, Sandra Bolden Cunningham, to once again challenge for the legislative office of the 31st District. Along with running-mate L Harvey Smith, the team of Sandra Cunningham for Senate and Chiappone and Smith for Assembly defeated the team of Louis Manzo for Senate and Nicholas Chiaravrolloti and Sheila Moses-Newton for Assembly in the Democratic Primary election of 2007.

Chiappone attended York College and Jersey City State College (majoring in Media Arts). Chiappone is a photographer by trade having owned and operated Kristen Studios Photography and Videography in Bayonne for twenty years.

District 31

Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The other representatives from the 31st District for the 2008-2009 legislative session are:
*Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, and
*Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith

References

External links

* [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=291 Assemblyman Chiappone's legislative web page] , New Jersey Legislature
*"New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms"
** [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ChiapponeA2007.pdf 2007] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/ChiapponeA2004.pdf 2004]