Kevin J. Rooney

Kevin J. Rooney (born January 13, 1960) is an American Republican Party politician who represented the 40th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2016 to 2024.^[1] Rooney served in the General Assembly as Deputy Republican Whip from 2021 to 2022 and served as the Deputy Minority Conference Leader from 2022 to 2024.^[2] Before serving in the Assembly, Rooney served as a Committeeman in Wyckoff.

Kevin J. Rooney
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 40th District
In office December 12, 2016 – January 9, 2024
Preceded by	Scott T. Rumana
Succeeded by	Al Barlas
Member of the Wyckoff Township Committee
In office January 1, 2010 – December 12, 2016
Preceded by	Joseph B. Fiorenzo
Succeeded by	Timothy Shanley
Personal details
Born	(1960-01-13) January 13, 1960 (age 64) Paterson, New Jersey
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Hayley Shotmeyer Rooney
Children	4
Residence	Wyckoff, New Jersey
Alma mater	Ramapo College Rutgers University
Website	Legislative Webpage

Early and personal life

Rooney was born in Paterson, New Jersey. He is a lifelong Bergen County resident and grew up in Upper Saddle River.^[3] He graduated in 1977 from Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, graduated in 1980 from Ramapo College in 1980 with a major in business^[4] and attended Cook College of Rutgers University for arboriculture.

Rooney won the 2013 version of the Food Network series Chopped, donating his $10,000 winnings to Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children based in Paterson.^[5]

Rooney is the Managing Partner of HMS Global Holdings, LLC. He resides in Wyckoff with his wife Hayley Shotmeyer Rooney. They have four children and four grandchildren.^[6]

Early political career

Rooney served on the Wyckoff Zoning Board from 1999 to 2009. He was first elected to the Wyckoff Township Committee in 2009 and was as a member until 2016. He served as deputy mayor in 2010 and 2014, and was selected as the township's mayor in 2011, 2015 and 2016.^[2]

New Jersey General Assembly

In December 2016, Rooney became an Assemblyman representing the 40th Legislative District of New Jersey when he was selected to complete Scott Rumana's term in the Assembly when Rumana resigned his seat after he was appointed to serve as a judge in New Jersey Superior Court.^[7]

In the wake of the 2021 apportionment, with several municipalities in Essex County added to the 40th district, Al Barlas gained support from Republican leaders for the second seat that had been held by Rooney, and was paired with DePhillips in the 2023 New Jersey General Assembly election.^[8]

Electoral history

New Jersey Assembly

2019

In 2019, Democrats Maria Martini Cordonnier and Micheal Sedon won the primary to challenge Rooney and his running mate Christopher DePhillips. However, Sedon dropped out of the general election and was replaced with former Bergen County Freeholder Julie O'Brien. During the election, Rooney and DePhillips skipped a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters, claiming it was unfair.^[9] The Democrats lost to the incumbents.

2019 General Election in 40th District^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Kevin J. Rooney (Incumbent)	22,562	28.4%	1.7
	Republican	Christopher P. DePhillips (Incumbent)	21,955	27.6%	1.3
	Democratic	Julie O'Brien	17,557	22.1%	1.1
	Democratic	Maria Martini Cordonnier	17,332	21.8	0.8
Total votes			'79,426'	'100.0'

2017

In the 2017 election incumbent David C. Russo retired, so Republican Christopher DePhillips ran for the open seat as a team with Rooney. Democrats Christine Ordway and Paul Vagianos and independent Anthony J. Pellechia also vied for the two Assembly seats. Rooney and DePhillips won the general election.

2017 General Election in 40th District^[11]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Kevin J. Rooney (Incumbent)	31,170	26.8	0.8
	Republican	Christopher P. DePhillips	30,610	26.3	1.7
	Democratic	Christine Ordway	27,092	23.3	1.0
	Democratic	Paul Vagianos	26,737	23.0	0.8
	You Tell Me	Anthony J. Pellechia	748	0.6	N/A
Total votes			'116,357'	'100.0'

References

1. "Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney – NJ Assembly Republicans". www.njassemblyrepublicans.com. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
2. Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney (R), New Jersey Legislature. Accessed April 27, 2022.
3. "Wyckoff Mayor, County Clerk Announce Run For District 40 Legislative Seats". Wyckoff, NJ Patch. April 26, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
4. Nesi, Chris. "Four are vying for two seats on the governing body", Suburban News, October 22, 2009. Accessed January 25, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Kevin J. Rooney... Education: Northern Highlands Regional High School, 1977. Graduated from Ramapo College in Mahwah in 1980."
5. Gerace, Joseph M. "Rooney Wins Chopped Crown; Former mayor says he'll donate his $10,000 prize to charity.", Wyckoff Patch, February 25, 2013. Accessed November 14, 2017. "In a televised battle for culinary supremacy, Wyckoff Committeeman Kevin Rooney took home the Chopped crown Sunday night on The Food Network.... Rooney won $10,000 for his victory, and told northjersey.com that he'd give the prize away to charity."
6. About, Kevin J. Rooney. Accessed May 6, 2022. "He and his wife, Hayley, have lived in Wyckoff for over 25 years where they raised their four children: Victoria, Jordan, Austin and Cassidy. In addition to their four children, Kevin has four grandchildren: Gryffin, Scarlett, Liam, and Brodie."
7. "Republicans pick Kevin Rooney to fill Assembly seat". North Jersey. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
8. Wildstein, David. "Bergen, Passaic, Essex back Corrado, DePhillips and Barlas in 40th district next year", New Jersey Globe, November 10, 2022. Accessed January 11, 2024. "With about one-third of the newly drawn 40th legislative district now sitting in Essex County, State Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-Totowa) and Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R-Wyckoff) will seek re-election next year on a ticket with Essex County GOP Chairman Al Barlas running for the State Assembly – a move that has the support of party leaders in Bergen, Passaic and Essex. The move leaves Assemblyman Kevin Rooney (R-Wyckoff) without a seat next year as party leaders adjust for the realities of legislative redistricting that puts seven Essex County municipalities into the district."
9. "Rooney, DePhillips decline second LWV debate, saying first one was unfair". New Jersey Globe. October 27, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
10. "2019-official-general-results-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
11. "2017-official-general-election-results-general-assembly.pdf" (PDF). New Jersey Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2020.

External links

• Legislative webpage for Assemblyman Rooney