Dawn Addiego

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Dawn Marie Addiego (born October 20, 1962) is an American politician who represented the New Jersey's 8th legislative district in the New Jersey Senate from 2010 to 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the General Assembly from January 8, 2008 to November 22, 2010 as a Republican (before changing parties). On November 15, 2010, after Phil Haines was confirmed to serve on the New Jersey Superior Court for Burlington County, that county's Republican committee (of which she was still a member) nominated and appointed Addiego to fill Haines' vacant seat for the remainder of his unexpired term.^[1]

Early life

Addiego graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor's degree in accounting. She earned a J.D. from Widener University School of Law in 1987.^[2] Addiego served on the Evesham Township Council from 1993 to 2000 and on its Planning Board from 1993 to 1994. She was on the Tri-County Water Quality Management Board of Advisors from 1994 to 2000. She served on the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 2000 until 2008.^[2]

New Jersey Assembly

While in the Assembly, Addigeo served as the Assistant Republican Whip after taking office in 2008. She also served on the Appropriations Committee and the Higher Education Committee.^[2] In March 2009, Addiego, along with fellow Assemblyman Scott Rudder, asked for a 10% cut from her legislative salary in light of New Jersey's current economic crisis.

A legal opinion from the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services found that they were the first lawmakers in New Jersey history to ask to waive part of their salary.^[3]

In 2011, the two legislators proposed that the 10% pay cut that they took should be extended to other state legislative, judicial and executive branch employees, including the Governor.^[4]

Addiego was a vocal opponent of Governor Jon Corzine's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) plan to require towns to build a government-set number of affordable housing units. She argued that "COAH's new regulations will drive up property taxes, destroy open space and discourage economic development."^[5]

New Jersey Senate

Addiego was elected to the New Jersey Senate in November 2011, running unopposed after prospective Democratic Party candidate Carl Lewis was knocked off the ballot because he didn't meet the state's residency requirement.^[6]

Committees

Community and Urban Affairs ^[7]
Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens
State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation
Labor
Budget and Appropriations

Votes on Key Issues

In 2012, Addiego voted against legalizing marriage for same-sex couples^[8]
In 2017, Addiego voted to increase the New Jersey gas tax by 23 cents^[9]
In 2018, Addiego voted against a bill requiring New Jersey employers to provide earned sick leave to their employees^[10]
In 2019, Addiego came out against the legalization of recreational marijuana in New Jersey^[11]

Party switch

On January 28, 2019, Addiego switched political affiliation to the Democratic Party.^[12] After Addiego's party switch, 8th District Assemblyman Joe Howarth had allegedly tried to switch his party from Republican to Democrat, and Republican leaders were unable to contact Howarth for two days. The Burlington County Republican Committee subsequently dropped their support for Howarth and endorsed Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield for his seat in the Assembly.^[13] Ultimately, Stanfield and incumbent Republican Assemblyman Ryan Peters defeated Howarth in the primary and won the general election.

In 2021, Addiego ran for reelection to the Senate as a Democrat. She was unopposed in the Democratic primary, and despite having a fundraising advantage, narrowly lost to Stanfield in the general election. Addiego later became Superintendent of Elections for Burlington County in late January 2022. ^[14]