Frank Pallone

Frank Pallone
U.S. House, New Jersey, District 6
Incumbent
In office
January 3, 1993-Present
Term ends
January 3, 2015
Years in position	20
Party	Democratic
Predecessor	Bernard J. Dwyer (D)
Compensation
Base salary	$174,000/year
Elections and appointments
Last election	November 6, 2012
First elected	November 3, 1992
Next election	November 4, 2014
Campaign $	$10,802,178
Term limits	N/A
Prior offices
U.S. House of Representatives - New Jersey District 3
1988-1993
New Jersey State Senate
1983-1988
Long Branch City Council
1982-1988
Education
Bachelor's	Middlebury College
Master's	Tufts University
J.D.	Rutgers University
Personal
Birthday	October 30, 1951
Place of birth	Long Branch, New Jersey
Profession	Attorney
Net worth	$789,027
Religion	Roman Catholic
Websites
Office website
Campaign website

Frank Pallone, Jr. (b. October 30, 1951) is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey. Pallone was elected by voters from New Jersey's 6th congressional district. He won re-election in 2012.

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Pallone is a "moderate Democratic leader".

Biography

Pallone was born in Long Branch, New Jersey. He earned a B.A. from Middlebury College in 1973, a M.A. from Tufts University in 1974, and a J.D. from Rutgers University in 1978.

Career

After earning his degrees, Pallone practiced law privately before being entering public office in 1982.

He was first elected to congress in 1988 in New Jersey's 3rd congressional district. He served two terms there before the redistricting in 1991. He has represented New Jersey's 6th congressional district since 1992.

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2013-2014

Pallone serves on the following committees:

• Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Subcommittee on Environment and Economy
  • Subcommittee on Health - Ranking Minority Member
  • Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
• United States House Committee on Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs

2011-2012

Pallone served on the following committees:

• Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Subcommittee on Health (Chairman)
  • Subcommittee on the Environment and Economy
  • Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
• Natural Resources Committee
  • Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs

Issues

Political positions

Campaign themes

2012

On his site, Pallone listed his positions on 12 separate issues, but he has campaigned largely on environmental issues since his first congressional bid in 1988 in New Jersey's 3rd congressional district. In 2012, he also focused on the economy and job creation.

• Economy and jobs: "Congressman Pallone supports the Democrats' ‘Make it in America’ agenda, which does more to encourage businesses to make products in the U.S. and supports investments in important areas like education and clean energy innovation."

• Education: "Congressman Pallone believes local schools and teachers must be provided with adequate resources and compensation, and a strong emphasis must be placed on hiring and retaining highly trained and talented teaching professionals."

• Energy and Gas Prices: "Middle class families are doing everything they can to cope with high gas and energy prices and tightening budgets, and that’s why Congressman Pallone advocates an all-of-the-above strategy that expands production of American energy resources. The most critical aspect of this agenda is to incentivize clean, renewable energy such as solar and wind that is manufactured here in America."

• Environment: "It has always been a top priority of Congressman Pallone’s to protect the water and air and clean up communities so New Jersey residents can lead healthy lives in the areas that they live and work."

• Equality: "Congressman Pallone continues to fight for policies that reflect our American ideals of equality, fairness and justice, and works to ensure all Americans, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, are entitled to the same protections under the law."

• Fisheries: "Congressman Pallone believes that a strong fishing industry is vital to achieving a strong economy in the Sixth District."

• Foreign Affairs and Defense: "Keeping the country safe is of the utmost importance to Congressman Pallone. He takes seriously his job to protect and defend our nation, and to ensure that our men and women in uniform have the resources and support they deserve."

• Health Care: "As the Ranking Member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health, Congressman Pallone believes that all Americans should have access to high-quality, affordable health care and fights for legislation that will help achieve these goals. The Affordable Care Act, or the health care reform law, is a major step towards expanding coverage, lowering health care costs and protecting patients from insurance company abuses. In addition, Congressman Pallone uses his leadership role on the Health Subcommittee to bring drugs to market faster, make our food system safer, and support work that will advance public health. He is particularly passionate about efforts to improve health outcomes for children."

• Housing: "Congressman Pallone supports the federal government taking necessary steps to give homeowners the tools they need to get back on their feet and modify home loans to avoid foreclosure."

• Labor: "Congressman Pallone stands with Middle Class families in New Jersey that are working to fight for better wages, benefits and conditions at their places of employment. His highest priority is to create jobs while advancing a ‘Make It In America’ agenda to stop the flow of jobs overseas."

• New Jersey Specific Issues: "Congressman Pallone’s most important job is to serve the people of the Sixth Congressional District and stand up for the issues that New Jersey residents care about. He regularly submits requests for federal funding for projects in the district, as well as fights for issues and legislation that will benefit the district."

• Seniors: "The economic struggles of the past few years have been particularly hard on seniors, many of whom live on fixed incomes. Congressman Pallone is committed to protecting the programs that seniors rely on, like Medicare and Social Security, while also making them stronger and more secure."

• Veterans: "Congressman Pallone supports adequate funding for veterans programs to provide the men and women that fought for our country the support they need to stay healthy, get an education and find a good job."

Specific votes

Fiscal Cliff

Pallone voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was one of 172 Democrats that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257/167 vote on January 1, 2013.

Elections

2014

See also: United States Senate elections in New Jersey, 2014

Pallone is considering a bid for U.S. Senate in 2014, when incumbent Frank Lautenberg (D) will be up for election. Mayor of Newark Cory Booker is also planning to seek the Democratic party nomination.

2012

See also: New Jersey's 6th congressional district elections, 2012

Pallone ran for, and won, re-election in 2012. He was unchallenged in the Democratic primary and faced Republican Anna Little in the November general election.

Despite the new shape of New Jersey's 6th congressional district, this year's race strongly resembles the match-up two years ago between Republican Anna Little and Democratic incumbent Pallone. In the redistricting, the 6th district was shifted to the east, but maintained its political demographics: the ratio of registered Democrats to Republicans is nearly 3 to 1. Despite tea-party support, Little lost to Pallone by 11 points in 2010.

Pallone hopes to continue his work on environmental issues, if he is re-elected.

U.S. House, New Jersey, District 6 General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Frank Pallone Incumbent	63.3%	151,782
	Republican	Anna Little	35.2%	84,360
	Libertarian	Len Flynn	0.6%	1,392
	Independent	Mac Dara Lyden	0.3%	830
	Independent	Herbert Tarbous	0.2%	406
	Independent	Karen Zaletel	0.4%	868
Total Votes				239,638
Source: New Jersey Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010

On November 2, 2010, Pallone was re-elected to the United States House for a fifth term. He defeated Anna C. Little (R), Jack Freudenheim (Independent), and Karen Anne Zaletel (Green Tea Patriots).

United States House, New Jersey General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Frank Pallone Incumbent	54.7%	81,933
	Republican	Anna C. Little	43.7%	65,413
	Independent	Jack Freudenheim	0.9%	1,299
	Green Tea Patriots	Karen Anne Zaletel	0.7%	1,017
Total Votes				149,662

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Smith is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, Smith raised a total of $10,802,178 during that time period. This information was last updated on April 23, 2013.

Frank Pallone's Campaign Contribution History
Year	Office	Result	Contributions
2012	US House (New Jersey, District 6)		$1,868,760
2010	US House (New Jersey, District 6)		$2,235,780
2008	US House (New Jersey, District 6)		$2,601,120
2006	US House (New Jersey, District 6)		$2,500,568
2004	US House (New Jersey, District 6)		$1,595,950
Grand Total Raised			$10,802,178

2012

Breakdown of the source of Pallone's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Pallone won election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, Pallone's campaign committee raised a total of $1,868,760 and spent $1,593,292.

U.S. House of Representatives, New Jersey's 6th Congressional District, 2012 - Frank Pallone Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$1,868,760
Total Spent	$1,593,292
Total Raised by Election Runner-up	$576,289
Total Spent by Election Runner-up	$537,778
Top contributors to Frank Pallone's campaign committee
Saker ShopRites	$20,000
Roche Holdings	$14,309
Cardinal Health	$12,000
Winning Strategies Washington	$11,961
College of American Pathologists	$11,000
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Health Professionals	$343,552
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products	$174,559
Lobbyists	$73,211
Lawyers/Law Firms	$72,500
Hospitals/Nursing Homes	$61,950

2010

Breakdown of the source of Pallone's campaign funds before the 2010 election.

Pallone was re-elected to the U.S. House in 2010 for a tenth term. His campaign committee raised a total of $2,235,780 and spent $2,573,747.

U.S. House, New Jersey, 2010 - Frank Pallone Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$2,235,780
Total Spent	$2,573,747
Total Raised by General Election Opponent	$486,065
Total Spent by General Election Opponent	$478,485
Top contributors to Frank Pallone's campaign committee
Leon Medical Centers	$31,200
Saker Holdings	$22,600
Sidley Austin LLP	$19,500
Interpublic Group	$19,350
Vestar Capital Partners	$14,700
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Health Professionals	$407,351
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products	$167,200
Lawyers/Law Firms	$148,450
Lobbyists	$110,870
Hospitals/Nursing Homes	$80,725

Analysis

Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Pallone missed 206 of 15,359 roll call votes from January 1989 to April 2013. This amounts to 1.3%, which is better than the median of 2.2% among current congressional representatives as of March 2013.

Congressional staff salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Pallone paid his congressional staff a total of $1,027,960 in 2011. Overall, New Jersey ranks 42nd in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.

Net worth

See also: Net Worth of United States Senators and Representatives

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Pallone's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $198,057 to $1,379,998. That averages to $789,027, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic House members in 2011 of $5,107,874.

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Pallone's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $22,052 to $924,998. Averaging to a net worth of $473,525 which is lower than the average net worth of Democrats in 2010 of $4,465,875.

National Journal vote ratings

See also: National Journal vote ratings

2012

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of congress voted in the previous year. Pallone tied with two other members of the U.S. House of Representatives, ranking 38th in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.

2011

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of congress voted in the previous year. Pallone was tied with 19 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives ranking 1st in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.

Percentage voting with party

November 2011

The website Open Congress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus. According to the website, Frank Pallone voted with the Democratic Party 94.1% of the time, which ranked 41st among the 192 House Democratic members in November 2011.

Recent news

This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term Frank + Pallone + New Jersey + House

All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.

Frank Pallone News Feed

• Frank Pallone accuses Cory Booker of withholding money from AIDS patients - Hunterdon County Democrat - NJ.com
• Pallone Presses Officials on How to Improve Fisheries Management - PolitickerNJ
• Lawmakers face questions over possible Oklahoma tornado aid - Hunterdon County Democrat - NJ.com
• Armenian Genocide resolution officially introduced in the House of ... - Panorama.am
• Belmar Mayor: Beach replenishment should have occurred before Sandy - The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
• NJ boardwalk reopens after Sandy damage - FOX19
• Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Act Introduced in US House of ... - Armenian Weekly
• Asbury Park fetes boardwalk's grand reopening with flair - The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
• Health Care Reform update May 13, 2013 - Lexology (registration)
• Friday's campaign round-up - MSNBC (blog)

Personal

Pallone married the former Sarah Hospodor in 1992. They have three children, daughters Rose Marie and Celeste Teresa, and a son, Frank Andrew.

External links

• Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. official U.S. House site
• Frank Pallone for U.S. Congress official campaign site

• Social media:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
• Biographies:
  • U.S. Congress
• Political profiles:
  • GovTrack
  • OpenCongress
  • Project Vote Smart
  • CongressMerge
• Financial:
  • FEC
  • OpenSecrets.org
  • LegiStorm.com
• Interest group ratings:
  • Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions:
  • Project Vote Smart
• Public statements:
  • Project Vote Smart
• Voting record:
  • Project Vote Smart
  • Washington Post

References

Political offices
Preceded by Bernard J. Dwyer	U.S. House of Representatives - New Jersey District 6 1993-Present	Succeeded by '
Preceded by James J. Howard	U.S. House of Representatives - New Jersey District 3 1988-1993	Succeeded by Jim Saxton
Preceded by '	New Jersey Senate 1983-1988	Succeeded by '
Preceded by '	Long Branch City Council 1982-1988	Succeeded by '