Edward James Patten

Congressman Patten (left) meeting with Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, August 1965.

Edward James Patten (August 22, 1905 – September 17, 1994) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician who represented the now-redistricted New Jersey's 15th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives for eighteen years, lasting from 1963 until 1981.

Early life and education Patten was born and attended public school in Perth Amboy, graduating from Perth Amboy High School. He attended Newark Normal School and graduated in 1927.

Career Patten worked as a public school teacher in the Elizabeth, New Jersey, school district until 1934. He then ran successfully for Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and held that position until 1940.

Congress The Democratic Patten successfully ran the election, defeating Republican challenger Bernard F. Rodgers by nearly 20,000 votes.

He was then elected into office for the 88th United States Congress on January 3, 1963. Patten would be challenged and re-elected again in 1966 against C. John Stroumtsos, in 1968 against George W. Luke, in 1970 against Peter P. Garibaldi, in 1972 against Fuller H. Brooks, in 1974 against E. J. Hammesfahr, in 1976 against Charles W. Wiley and Independent Dennis Adams Sr., In 1978, Patten was accused of facilitating an illegal campaign contribution from a Korean businessman as part of the Koreagate scandal. Patten was cleared of charges by an 8–0 vote of the House Ethics Committee in October of that year. Patten fared far better than some of his counterparts, such as California representative Richard T. Hanna who was sentenced to six to thirty months in jail, In the Democratic primary, he captured 59% of the vote in a race against political newcomer George Spadoro. In the 1978 election, he beat out Republican Charles Wiley by a slim 2,836 vote margin.

Later career After politics, he continued to remain active in the various organizations he belonged to, such as the NAACP, Eagles, Elks, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, and Moose International.

Death Patten was a resident of Perth Amboy until his death on September 17, 1994, at the age of 89.