George Otlowski

George John Otlowski (January 3, 1912 – March 16, 2009) was an American publisher turned Democratic Party politician who served on the Board of Chosen Freeholders for Middlesex County, New Jersey for eight years. He served in the New Jersey General Assembly for 18 years, and was Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey for 14 years.

Biography He was born on January 3, 1912. His first job was at an asphalt company working as a water boy, having lied about his age and claiming he was 16.

Otlowski first sought elective office in 1955, winning the first of two terms on the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. He won his first General Assembly race in 1973, representing the 19th Legislative District and served there until 1992.

Perth Amboy elected him as its mayor in 1976, serving what The Star-Ledger described as a "stormy tenure". In the years following his election, the city saw a major demographic change with a substantial increase in the Hispanic population and gradually The Star-Ledger described how the people "were turning against him". In 1989, the candidates Otlowski had supported for city council lost in the local elections and he was unable to work with the slate that won election. By 1990, he was facing a recall election petition led by Vas and he decided to step down two years into his term of office, saying "I had a lot of fun being mayor. There were tremendous challenges. It was like fighting some kind of dragon."