Nicholas LaRocca
American politician / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nicholas J. LaRocca (October 4, 1913 – August 30, 1999) was an American Democratic Party politician who served in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature from the 33rd district. He served a partial term in the New Jersey Senate succeeding his mentor William Musto and then a single term in the New Jersey General Assembly.
Nicholas J. LaRocca | |
---|---|
Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 33rd district | |
In office June 24, 1982 – January 10, 1984 | |
Preceded by | William Musto |
Succeeded by | Christopher Jackman |
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 33rd district | |
In office January 10, 1984 – January 7, 1986 | |
Preceded by | Thomas Gallo Christopher Jackman |
Succeeded by | Ronald Dario Jose Arango |
Personal details | |
Born | (1913-10-04)October 4, 1913 Union City, New Jersey |
Died | August 30, 1999(1999-08-30) (aged 85) |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | Union City, New Jersey |
Alma mater | Fordham College New York University |
LaRocca was born in 1913 in Union City where he attended the local public schools. He graduated from Fordham College in 1934 and received a law degree from New York University in 1937.[1]
He worked as a legislative aide for State Senator (and Union City Mayor) William Musto at the time of Musto's removal from the Senate for his conviction on receiving kickbacks from a developer. LaRocca was essentially handpicked by Musto to be the Democratic nominee for the special election to fill the remaining 1.5 years of the Senate term.[2] In his first bid for elected office, LaRocca defeated independent Libero Marotta, Republican Dennis Teti, and independent Carlos Munoz in a June 23, 1982, special election.[3][4] In the next regular election in 1983, LaRocca and then-Assemblyman Christopher Jackman switched seats where Jackman ran for Senate and LaRocca ran for Assembly. Both won their respective races.[5] After serving alongside Robert Ranieri for one term from the 33rd district, LaRocca did not seek reelection in 1985.[6]
He died on August 30, 1999, aged 85.[7]