James T. Phillips

James Thomas Phillips (July 8, 1953 – February 1, 2014) was an American Democratic Party politician from Old Bridge Township, New Jersey. He had served as a Middlesex County Freeholder and Treasurer, Old Bridge Mayor, and as a New Jersey Senator.

James T. Phillips
Member of the New Jersey Senate
from the 13th district
In office
July 29, 1991 – January 14, 1992
Preceded byRichard Van Wagner
Succeeded byJoe Kyrillos
Mayor of Old Bridge
In office
January 1, 2004 – April 25, 2011
Preceded byBarbara Cannon
Succeeded byPatrick Gillespie
Middlesex County Freeholder
In office
1990–1995
Personal details
Born(1953-07-08)July 8, 1953
DiedFebruary 1, 2014(2014-02-01) (aged 60)
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Janet Phillips
Children3
ResidenceOld Bridge, New Jersey
Alma materVillanova University

Phillips was a life-long resident of Old Bridge and son of Jack Phillips, another Freeholder and Old Bridge mayor. He was a graduate of St. Mary's High School (later Cardinal McCarrick High School) in South Amboy and Villanova University. He was an accountant and a certified municipal financial officer by trade.[1] Phillips's first elected office was to the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders which he served from 1990 to 1995 when he resigned to become Middlesex County Treasurer, a position he held until December 2013.[2] Whilst serving as Freeholder, Phillips was appointed in July 1991 to the New Jersey Senate seat in the 13th district left vacant by Richard Van Wagner upon being appointed to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. In the wake of the anti-tax and anti-Florio sentiment in that year's legislative elections, he was defeated for a full term by Assemblyman Joe Kyrillos.[3]

In 1999, he ran for mayor of Old Bridge Township but was defeated. Four years later, he was successful in an election to become mayor. While mayor, he championed preserving open space and the construction of housing for low-income housing.[2] He was reelected in 2007 but in April 2011, he resigned for health reasons.[4] He died on February 1, 2014 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick at the age of 60.[2]

References
  1. "Obituary for James Thomas Phillips". Day Funeral Home. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  2. Wichert, Bill (February 1, 2014). "James Phillips, former Old Bridge mayor and Middlesex County freeholder, dead at 60". NJ.com. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  3. King, Wayne (November 6, 1991). "NEW JERSEY ELECTIONS; With Anti-Florio Voting Wave, Republicans Win the Legislature". The New York Times. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  4. Victor, Philip J. (April 25, 2011). "Exclusive: Gillespie To Become Next Mayor Of Old Bridge, N.J." WCBS-TV. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
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