Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.
| Joe DiVincenzo | |
|---|---|
| Executive of Essex County | |
|
Assumed office January 2003 |
|
| Preceded by | James W. Treffinger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1952 (age 64–65) Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater |
New Jersey City University (BA) |
Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., widely known as Joe D., has been the County Executive of Essex County, New Jersey since 2003.
DiVincenzo attended Jersey City State College. where he played football for the Knights graduating in 1976 with a degree in public health.
DiVincenzo was first elected to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1990. He served as the board's president for eight terms. Prior to becoming freeholder, DiVincenzo held public jobs in Essex County as a parks supervisor, teacher, and athletics coordinator.
DiVincenzo was elected county executive in 2002 and was reelected for a fourth term in November 2014. He received the backing of the state's Democratic establishment including Bob Menendez, Cory Booker, Stephen Sweeney, Vincent Prieto, Donald Payne Jr. and Steve Fulop.
Double dipping is the practice of simultaneously holding multiple elected positions or to being employed by and collecting retirement benefits from the same public authority at the same time.
In 2011, DiVincenzo while still in office began to collect pension as County Executive. He justified the move by claiming that it is legal and a good decision for his family.
DiVincenzo is generally considered to be a power broker and political boss of the Essex County political machine, exerting much influence on county and state politics. In 2011 in The New York Times, New Jersey State Senator Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex) is quoted as saying that "in terms of Democratic politics, Joe D. is becoming the king of North Jersey.”
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