Rich Bagger

Richard H. Bagger (born March 27, 1960 in Plainfield, New Jersey) is an American Republican Party politician from New Jersey and a resident of Westfield, New Jersey. He served as an Assistant General Counsel to Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey and previously practiced law with the firm of McCarter and English.

He served as a Planning Board member, Councilman, and Mayor in Westfield during the 1980s and 1990s. He was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly from the 22nd legislative district in 1991, succeeding Chuck Hardwick, his longtime mentor. His first foray into politics was a successful run for student body president of Roosevelt Junior High School during the 1974-75 school year. During his time as an assemblyman, he served as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and was elected to be Majority Conference Leader. In 2000, he declined a race to succeed Bob Franks in Congress. In 2001, he was elected to the New Jersey Senate for the 21st legislative district. He resigned as a State Senator in 2003 in order to pursue private business interests and was succeeded by Thomas Kean Jr. He continues to remain a political leader in Union County.

Bagger received an A.B. in 1982 from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law-Newark.

Bagger is Senior Vice President of Government Relations for Pfizer Inc.. [http://www.njn.net/about/foundation/bagger.html Richard H. Bagger - NJN Foundation Board of Trustees] , accessed April 13, 2007.]

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