Nicholas LaRocca explained

Nicholas J. LaRocca
State Senate:New Jersey
District:33rd
Term Start:June 24, 1982
Term End:January 10, 1984
Predecessor:William Musto
Successor:Christopher Jackman
State Assembly2:New Jersey
District2:33rd
Term Start2:January 10, 1984
Term End2:January 7, 1986
Predecessor2:Thomas Gallo
Christopher Jackman
Alongside2:Robert Ranieri
Successor2:Ronald Dario
Jose Arango
Birth Date:1913 10, mf=yes
Birth Place:Union City, New Jersey
Residence:Union City, New Jersey
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:Fordham College
New York University

Nicholas J. LaRocca (October 4, 1913 – August 30, 1999) was an American Democratic Party politician who served in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature from the 33rd district. He served a partial term in the New Jersey Senate succeeding his mentor William Musto and then a single term in the New Jersey General Assembly.

LaRocca was born in 1913 in Union City where he attended the local public schools. He graduated from Fordham College in 1934 and received a law degree from New York University in 1937.

He worked as a legislative aide for State Senator (and Union City Mayor) William Musto at the time of Musto's removal from the Senate for his conviction on receiving kickbacks from a developer. LaRocca was essentially handpicked by Musto to be the Democratic nominee for the special election to fill the remaining 1.5 years of the Senate term.[1] In his first bid for elected office, LaRocca defeated independent Libero Marotta, Republican Dennis Teti, and independent Carlos Munoz in a June 23, 1982, special election.[2] [3] In the next regular election in 1983, LaRocca and then-Assemblyman Christopher Jackman switched seats where Jackman ran for Senate and LaRocca ran for Assembly. Both won their respective races.[4] After serving alongside Robert Ranieri for one term from the 33rd district, LaRocca did not seek reelection in 1985.[5]

He died on August 30, 1999, aged 85.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: The Region in Summary; Musto Replaced - Not Entirely . Levine . Richard . Carlyle C. . Douglas . May 23, 1982 . . March 16, 2019.
  2. News: Court Ruling May Give Musto Redefined Role . July 4, 1982 . The New York Times . March 16, 2019 . Sullivan . Joseph F..
  3. Web site: Special elections to fill vacancies in the State Legislature . . March 16, 2019.
  4. News: Changes Afoot In Roles of State And Localities . January 8, 1984 . Sullivan . Joseph F. . The New York Times . March 16, 2019.
  5. Web site: The Harvey Smith Club . June 6, 2007 . David Wildstein . Edge . Wally . Observer . March 16, 2019.
  6. Web site: Social Security Death Index . Genealogy Bank . March 16, 2019.