James Cafiero

James S. Cafiero (September 21, 1928 – August 3, 2023) was an American attorney and Republican Party politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1968 to 1972 and in the New Jersey Senate from 1972 to 1982 and from 1990 to 2004, where he represented the 1st legislative district.

Early life and education James Cafiero was born on September 21, 1928. His father, attorney and judge Anthony J. Cafiero, later represented Cape May County in the Senate from 1948 to 1954.

Cafiero graduated from The Lawrenceville School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Princeton University in 1950 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1953. After law school, Cafiero worked as an assistant Cape May County prosecutor from 1958 to 1960 and as an attorney at his father's firm.

Political career

New Jersey Assembly Following the United States Supreme Court's decision in Reynolds v. Sims and a special constitutional convention, a new legislative district was created in 1967 consisting of Cape May and Cumberland counties. They were re-elected in 1969. He was re-elected easily in 1973 (though Republicans lost the Senate) and 1977 before leaving party leadership in 1978 and stepping down in 1981. He was succeeded by Hurley. He served in the Senate on the Judiciary Committee and the Law and Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs Committee. Cafiero was Republican Whip from 2002 to 2004.

Personal life and death Cafiero was a resident of North Wildwood. He died on August 3, 2023, at the age of 94.