Bob Franks

For other people with the same name, seeRobert Franks (disambiguation).

Bob Franks
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew Jersey's7thdistrict
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2001
Preceded by	Matt Rinaldo
Succeeded by	Mike Ferguson
Member of theNew Jersey General Assembly from the22nddistrict
In office January 1980 – January 1993 Serving withWilliam J. MaguireandMaureen Ogden
Preceded by	Donald DiFrancesco
Succeeded by	Alan Augustine
Chair of theNew Jersey Republican Party
In office 1990–1992
Preceded by	Kathleen Donovan
Succeeded by	Virginia Littell
In office 1987–1989
Preceded by	Frank B. Holman
Succeeded by	Kathleen Donovan
Personal details
Born	Robert Douglas Franks (1951-09-21)September 21, 1951 Hackensack, New Jersey,U.S.
Died	April 9, 2010(2010-04-09)(aged 58) New York City,New York,U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Frances Smith
Children	3
Residence(s)	New Providence, New Jersey,U.S.
Alma mater	DePauw University(BA) Southern Methodist University(JD)
Occupation	Politician political consultant

Robert Douglas Franks(September 21, 1951 – April 9, 2010) was an AmericanRepublicanpolitician who served as aU.S. RepresentativefromNew Jersey.

Early life

Franks was born on September 21, 1951, inHackensack, New Jersey,the son of Norman A. Franks (1921–2000) and June E. Franks. He grew up inGlen Rock, New Jerseybefore his family moved to suburban Chicago. They returned to New Jersey, where Franks attendedSummit High School.He graduated fromDePauw Universityin 1973 where he was President of the Student Senate, and from theDedman School of LawatSouthern Methodist Universityin 1976.

Early Political Activities

He had been involved in Republican politics while growing up, including the races ofSenatorCharles H. Percy.As a teenager, he returned to his home state. While inSummit,he became involved with theYoung Republicansand the Kean for Assembly races. Franks helped to found the Union County Young Republicans Franks then served as an aide, consultant and campaign manager to several congressman includingJim CourterandDean Galloas well asGovernorThomas Kean.The primary profession of Franks, however, was that of a newspaper publisher.

New Jersey State Assemblyman

In 1979, Franks was a candidate forUnion CountyFreeholderwhen State SenatorPeter J. McDonoughresigned. AssemblymanDonald DiFrancescoran for the Senate, and Franks switched to the Assembly race. He defeated Marie Kissebeth, theBerkeley Heightsmayor, at the Republican convention.

When he was redistricted into the22nd Legislative District,a Union/Essex district in 1981 and Essex Republicans demanded an Assembly seat, Franks survived and the Union Republicans dumped another incumbent,William J. Maguire.He was re-elected in 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1991.

While in the Assembly, he also served two terms as chairman of theNew Jersey Republican State Committee,1987–89 and 1990–92. In the second term, finding widespread voter discontent with Governor Jim Florio's tax hikes, he led the Republican Party to winning veto-proof majorities in both houses of the Legislature.

He was succeeded in the Assembly byAlan Augustine.

U.S. Congressman

In 1992, Franks was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives (succeeding Matt Rinaldo), and served four terms in the House from 1993 to 2001. While he was a congressman, he was a member of the Transportation Committee and involved with transportation issues. He was known as a budget "hawk" and was a strong supporter of the Contract with America, including voluntary terms limits.

Franks was the New Jersey campaign chairman for U.S. Rep.Jack Kempin the campaign for the 1988 Republican presidential nomination. He endorsed New Jersey publisherSteve Forbesin 1996, and U.S. Rep.John Kasichin 2000. Franks and Kasich served together on the House Budget Committee and became close friends. Kasich is the godfather of Franks' eldest daughter, Kelly, and was one of the eulogizers at Franks' 2010 funeral.

2000 U.S. Senate campaign

Main article:2000 United States Senate election in New Jersey

In2000,Franks gave up his House seat (true to his "term limits" vow) to become the Republican candidate to the openSenateseat from New Jersey. However, he was defeated byDemocratJon Corzine.

In this race Franks was far outspent by Corzine, a former CEO, by 48 million dollars, yet still was the closest the Republicans have come to winning a New Jersey United States Senate seat sinceClifford Casewon a fourth term re-election in1972.Corzine defeated Franks by less than 100,000 votes and a vote percentage of 51.1% to 47.1% in the2000 US Senate election.

2001 gubernatorial campaign

Main article:2001 New Jersey gubernatorial election § Republican primary

He was defeated for the Republican nomination for New Jersey governor in 2001 byBret Schundler,who ran on a more conservative platform. Franks entered the 2001 governor's race reluctantly, following the withdrawal of former GovernorDonald DiFrancesco,after having previous announced that he would not be a candidate. It is believed this late start cost him the primary as Schundler had a big head start in campaigning and fundraising.

Jack Abramoffhelped Schundler raise funds against Franks because of his refusal to hold off a "Made in the USA" bill that harmed Abramoff's clients in theNorthern Marianas Islandsdespite assurances he wouldn't introduce the bill until further discussions occurred. The bill was introduced the next day without further discussions. Abramoff retaliated "He was running for governor. I raised a bunch of money for his opponent in the primary and made sure everyone knew I was doing it. He lost his primary. No other Republican tried to slap the CNMI while I was a lobbyist." Abramoff said in an interview.

Franks remained involved in New Jersey politics and was often mentioned as a potential candidate for high offices, but Franks discouraged such speculation. Many thought that his next public office, if any, would have been appointive.

Franks served as President of the Health Care Institute of New Jersey. There was speculation he might run again for Congress when his successor,Mike Ferguson,announced in 2007 that he would not seek reelection in 2008. However, Franks then declined to run, saying "Representing the people of Central New Jersey in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2001 was one of the important and rewarding experiences of my life; however I find my work at the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey very fulfilling and I'm enjoying nights and weekends with my family... I have no desire to run for Congress next year."

Death and legacy

A resident ofWarren Township,Franks died ofcanceratMemorial Sloan Kettering HospitalinNew York Cityon April 9, 2010.

On September 24, 2013, at the dedication of a rail station in Union, New Jersey in honor of Franks, Gov.Chris Christierevealed that he had offered Franks the Republican nomination forLt. Governoron his ticket in 2009, but that he was turned down. Christie then went to his second choice,Kim Guadagno.

Electoral history

New Jersey's 7th congressional district:Results 1992–1998

Year		Democrat	Votes	Pct		Republican	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct
1992		Leonard Sendelsky	105,761	42.6%		Bob Franks	132,174	53.3%		Eugene J.Gillespie	Independent	4,043	1.6%		Bill Campbell	No NonsenseGovernment	2,612	1.1%		Spencer Layman	Libertarian	1,964	0.8%	*
1994		Karen Carroll	64,231	38.7%		Bob Franks(incumbent)	98,814	59.6%		James J.Cleary	LaRouche Was Right	2,331	1.4%	*
1996		Larry Lerner	97,285	41.83%		Bob Franks(incumbent)	128,821	55.39%		Dorothy DeLaura	Independent	4,076	1.75%		Nicholas Gentile	Independent	1,693	0.73%		Robert G. Robertson	Independent	696	0.30%
1998		Maryanne Connelly	65,776	44%		Bob Franks(incumbent)	77,751	53%		Richard C. Martin	Independent	3,007	2%		Darren Young	Independent	1,508	1%

Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1992, John L. Kucek running as an America First Populist received 844 votes and Kevin Michael Criss running under People's Congressional Preference received 684 votes. In 1994, Claire Greene received 481 votes.

2000 U.S. Senate Race – Republican Primary

Candidate	Pct		Candidate	Pct		Candidate	Pct
Bob Franks	36%		William Gormley	34%		Others	30%

2000 United States Senate election, Senate Class 1, New Jersey

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jon S. Corzine	1,511,237	50
	Republican	Bob Franks	1,420,267	47
	Independent	Bruce Afran	32,841	1
	Independent	Pat DiNizio	19,312	1
	Independent	Emerson Ellett	7,241	<1%
	Independent	Dennis A. Breen	6,061	<1%
	Independent	J. M. Carter	5,657	<1%
	Independent	Lorraine LaNeve	3,836	<1%
	Independent	Gregory Pason	3,365	<1%
	Independent	Nancy Rosenstock	3,309	<1%
	Independent	George Gostigian	2,536	<1%
Majority			90,970	3
	Democratichold		Swing

External links

• Biographyat theBiographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office)at theFederal Election Commission
• AppearancesonC-SPAN