Gerald Luongo

Gerald J. Luongo (born June 2, 1938) is an American Republican Party politician who served as mayor of Washington Township, New Jersey from 1989 until 2000 and served one term in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1998 to 2000, where he represented the 4th Legislative District.

Luongo earned an associate's degree in music from the Juilliard School, a bachelor's and a master's degree in education and music from Trenton State College, and a Ph.D. in administration and communications from Southwestern University.

Luongo was employed as principal at Vineland High School in Cumberland County. He served on the Washington Township Public School District board of education from 1972 to 1981.

In 1988, Luongo ran and won as the Democratic candidate for mayor of Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. In that role, he served on the Washington Township Planning Board. He switched parties and was elected to the General Assembly in 1997, winning a seat with Republican running mate George Geist. In the Assembly, he served on the Education Committee and the Local Government and Housing Committee.

Despite efforts by pro-gun-rights organizations to support Geist and Luongo in the 1999 race, Luongo faced negative advertisements that focused on a land deal that was said to have aided investors close to him. Luongo took offense at Democratic Party ads that depicted Luongo as a "Godfather", criticizing the ads as a slur against Italian Americans.

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