Ann Klein

Ann Rosensweig Klein (1923–February 23, 1986) was an American activist and Democratic politician who represented parts of Morris County in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1972 to 1974. Klein ran unsuccessfully for governor of New Jersey in 1973 and 1981, losing the Democratic nomination each time.

Early life and education Ann Rosensweig was born in 1923 in Brooklyn, New York.

Klein received an undergraduate degree from Barnard College and graduated from the Columbia University School of Social Work.

Career After graduating from Columbia, Klein took a job as a caseworker for the Morris County, New Jersey family service agency. In 1971, she was appointed to the New Jersey Tax Policy Commission. As a member of the Assembly, she supported a bill removing the requirement for women to disclose their marital status when registering to vote. She also supported a stronger campaign finance disclosure law.

1973 gubernatorial campaign

In 1973, Klein ran for Governor of New Jersey, seeking to become the first woman to win a major party's nomination for governor. In addition to support from women's organizations, Klein enjoyed the support of the liberal and reform segments of the party which had supported McGovern in 1972.

As commissioner, she worked to find places for people released from state hospitals in New Jersey and advocated for better treatment of mental health care patients.

In 1976, the Department of Institutions and Agencies was divided, and Klein became the first Commissioner of the Department of Human Services. She resigned 1981 to run for governor. Although Klein claimed she reduced welfare fraud and improved efficiency in the department, which employed 22,000 and spent $1 billion per year, she was a target for political criticism, earning the hostility of legislators in both parties. However, Byrne endorsed another member of his campaign, John Degnan. Though he offered to cut an advertisement praising Klein's work as commissioner, she declined the offer. In 1988, the Community Health Law Project began awarding the Ann Klein Advocate Award. The award is annually presented to individuals or groups for their exemplary working towards better accessibility for persons living with disabilities.