Joseph Vas

Joseph Vas (born January 18, 1955) is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2004, where he represents the 19th legislative district.

Vas serves in the Assembly on the Commerce and Economic Development Committee (as Chair), the Budget Committee, the Education Committee and the Joint Committee on the Public Schools. [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=236 Assemblyman Vas's legislative webpage] , New Jersey Legislature. Accessed February 14, 2008.]

Vas also served Perth Amboy as its Mayor since 1990 when he became the first Hispanic elected to serve as the City's mayor. He was defeated for reelection in 2008 by Wilda Diaz. He has also served on the Perth Amboy Planning Board since 1990, on the Perth Amboy Zone Development Corporation since 1994 and the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency since 1997.

As Mayor, Vas cleaned up over 1,000 acres (4 km²) of brownfields, cleaned up a carcinogenic spot from the city’s water supply and was involved in the installation of recycled plastics for the city’s waterfront bulkhead. During his tenure, greater than two billion dollars in private investment occurred.Fact|date=February 2007

In 2006, Vas ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to fill the ushr|New Jersey|13| seat Bob Menendez vacated to become a U.S. Senator, but was defeated by Albio Sires in the June 6, 2006, primary, 70% to 30%. Despite the uphill battle, Vas won 77% of the vote in Middlesex County, won the North Ward in Newark, captured several voting districts in the East Ward of Newark, in Jersey City and in Bayonne. Vas received statewide name recognition. Coming to New Jersey to campaign for Vas was Ohio Congressman and 2004 Democratic Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich and his wife Elizabeth.

Vas had decided not to run in the special primary election, also held in June, to fill the remaining two months in the 13th district on the seat vacated by Bob Menendez.

In May 2008, Vas received just 39% of the vote in the mayoral election, despite outspending his opponent, Wilda Diaz, by nearly 5 to 1. [Adarlo, Sharon. [http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/perth_amboy_mayor_vas_loses_to.html "Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas loses race in stunning upset"] , "The Star-Ledger", May 14, 2008. Accessed May 30, 2008.]

Vas attended Vanderbilt University, studying Liberal Arts.

District 19

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 19th District for the 2008-2009 Legislative Session are:
*Senator Joseph Vitale, and
*Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski

References

External links

* [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=236 Assemblyman Vas's legislative webpage] , New Jersey Legislature
*"New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms"
** [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/VasJ2007.pdf 2007] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/VasJ2006.pdf 2006] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/VasJ2005.pdf 2005] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/VasJ2004.pdf 2004]
* [http://www.vasforassembly.com Web site for Assembly Re-Election]
* [http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=43185 Assembly Member Joseph Vas] , Project Vote Smart