Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.

Background and Career

DiVincenzo attended Jersey City State College. where he played football for the Knights graduating in 1976 with a degree in public health.

DiVincenzo was first elected to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1990. He served as the board's president for eight terms. Prior to becoming freeholder, DiVincenzo held public jobs in Essex County as a parks supervisor, teacher, and athletics coordinator.

County Executive

DiVincenzo was elected county executive in 2002 and was reelected for a fourth term in November 2014. He received the backing of the state's Democratic establishment including Bob Menendez, Cory Booker, Stephen Sweeney, Vincent Prieto, Donald Payne Jr. and Steve Fulop.

Double dipping

Double dipping is the practice of simultaneously holding multiple elected positions or to being employed by and collecting retirement benefits from the same public authority at the same time.

In 2011, DiVincenzo while still in office began to collect pension as County Executive. He justified the move by claiming that it is legal and a good decision for his family.

Statewide influence

DiVincenzo is generally considered to be a power broker and political boss of the Essex County political machine, exerting much influence on county and state politics. In 2011 in The New York Times, New Jersey State Senator Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex) is quoted as saying that "in terms of Democratic politics, Joe D. is becoming the king of North Jersey.”

Crossing party lines, he endorsed Republican Governor Chris Christie in his successful 2013 re-election bid.

Campaign spending violations investigation

In October 2013, questions arose regarding DiVincenzo's campaign spending. The state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), in 16-count complaint, alleged that he failed to properly report nearly $72,000 in campaign expenditures and improperly spent more than $16,000. In May 2014, it was the commission announced it would not hold a hearing until after election, tentatively in January 2015. It is unclear whether the ELEC will hear the case. The four-person board, by law required to include two Democrats and two Republicans, has been without a Democratic member since Governor Christie has not appointed one. One Democrat, Walter Timpone, recused himself without explanation leading to Divencenzo's lawyers claims that there must be a quorum. The case is unlikely to proceed. Governor Christie has chosen to not replace the Democrat, effectively cippling the ELEC.

Personal life

After residing for 34 years in Nutley, he moved with his wife Donna to Roseland in 2013. He has two children, Kimberly DiVincenzo-Root and Joseph DiVincenzo.