Joseph Hirkala
Joseph Hirkala | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Jersey Senate from the 14th district | |
| In office January 11, 1972 – January 1, 1987 | |
| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly | |
| In office 1968 – January 11, 1972 | |
| Constituency | District 14A (1968–1970) District 14B (1970–1972) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 16, 1923 |
| Died | January 1, 1987 (aged 63) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Josephine Chorazy |
| Children | 2 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1940-1945 |
Joseph Hirkala (November 16, 1923 – January 1, 1987) was an American Democratic Party politician who served in the New Jersey State Senate from 1972 until 1987.
Early life and education
[edit]Joseph Hirkala was born on November 16, 1923, to Julia and Andrew Hirkala. He dropped out of high school as a junior in order to join the United States Navy on November 26, 1940. He conducted his training in Rhode Island and San Diego, California. He worked as a signalman and received the Philippine Liberation Medal before being discharged on December 1, 1945. He suffered a disability as a result of his service and was hospitalized for over 13 months.[1][2][3] He married Josephine Chorazy, with whom he had two children, on February 9, 1952.[4][5]
Career
[edit]Local politics
[edit]Hirkala was elected as a Republican county committeeman from the 4th ward in 1948.[2] He ran for commissioner in 1963 with Leonard Simon was his campaign manager,[6] but placed seventh.[7]
Hirkala was appointed as a clerk in the Passaic tax collector's office on April 26, 1948, and assistant city clerk on November 17, 1951.[8][5] He became assistant city clerk of Clifton, New Jersey on May 2, 1960, but resigned on June 24, and returned to his post as assistant city clerk of Passaic.[9] He also served as the Supervisor of Local Public Records and City Clerk.[10]
Hirkala was appointed as acting registrar of vital statistics on March 2, 1965.[11] He became acting city manager on March 3, 1971, after Paul McCauley was removed by a city council vote of 5 to 2[12] and served for one day before Albert R. Galik was appointed.[13][14]
Party politics
[edit]Hirkala supported Paul L. Troast during the 1953 gubernatorial election[15] and Robert A. Roe in the 1969 election.[16] He worked as Roe's campaign manager during the 1970 U.S. House election.[17] He endorsed J. Edward Crabiel for the Democratic nomination during the 1973 gubernatorial election,[18] but stated that he would have endorsed Roe if he ran.[19][20] He endorsed Brendan Byrne after Crabiel withdrew.[21]
Anthony J. Grossi, chair of the Passaic County Democratic Party since 1959, retired on June 7, 1972, and Hirkala was selected by acclamation to succed him on June 13.[22][23] He supported removing Thomas Eagleton from the Democratic ticket during the 1972 presidential election due to allegations that Eagleton had been arrested for drunk driving in the past.[24] Hirkala declined to seek reelection as chair in 1973, and Grossi was elected to succeed him on June 12.[25][26]
Legislature
[edit]In 1967, Hirkala ran for a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly from district 14A as the Democratic nominee.[27][28] Simon was his campaign manager.[29] He defeated Republican nominee Mervyn Montgomery.[30] For the 1969 election he was redistricted into the two-member district 14B and was elected alongside Republican nominee Joseph F. Scancarella.[31][32]
Hirkala ran for one of three seats in the New Jersey Senate from the 14th district in the 1971 election.[33] Hirkala, William J. Bate, and Joseph A. Lazzara were the Democratic nominees and all three Democratic nominees won in the general election.[34] He was redistricted into the single-member 34th district and defeated Republican nominee Louise Friedman in the 1973 election.[35][36]
During Hirkala's tenure in the general assembly he served on the Labor committee.[37] During his tenure in the state senate he served on the State Government and Federal and Interstate Relations committee[38] and chaired the Institutions, Health and Welfare.[39] He was selected as assistant minority leader in 1972 after being nominated by Bate[40] and majority whip in 1973.[41]
He was elected State Senator in 1971, and re-elected in 1973, 1977, 1981, and 1983.[42] He died in office. During his 26 years in the Senate, he served as Assistant Minority Leader, Majority Whip, Assistant Majority leader and President Pro Tempore.[43]
Political positions
[edit]Hirkala opposed the use of desegregation busing.[44] He and Augustus Capers proposed an amendment to the Constitution of New Jersey to lower the voting age to 18 in 1968.[45] He supported an amendment to the state constitution to prohibit an income tax.[46] He supported legislation to freeze the price of tuition at state colleges.[47] He voted in favor of restoring capital punishment in 1972.[48]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Hirkala | 2,102 | 100.00% | ||
| Total votes | 2,102 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Hirkala | 18,730 | 50.93% | ||
| Republican | Mervyn Montgomery | 18,044 | 49.07% | ||
| Total votes | 36,774 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Hirkala (incumbent) | 7,228 | 50.85% | ||
| Democratic | Robert J. Jablonski | 6,986 | 49.15% | ||
| Total votes | 14,214 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Hirkala (incumbent) | 41,671 | 26.95% | ||
| Republican | Joseph F. Scancarella | 41,301 | 26.71% | ||
| Republican | Joseph J. Bender | 35,375 | 22.88% | ||
| Democratic | Robert J. Jablonski | 34,806 | 22.51% | ||
| Independent | James P. Raftery | 1,490 | 0.96% | ||
| Total votes | 154,643 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Hirkala | 7,454 | 33.78% | ||
| Democratic | William J. Bate | 7,366 | 33.38% | ||
| Democratic | Joseph A. Lazzara | 7,249 | 32.85% | ||
| Total votes | 22,069 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Hirkala | 64,725 | 21.16% | ||
| Democratic | Joseph A. Lazzara | 54,426 | 17.79% | ||
| Democratic | William J. Bate | 54,149 | 17.70% | ||
| Republican | Alfred Fontanella | 46,478 | 15.20% | ||
| Republican | Thomas W.E. Bowdler | 39,545 | 12.93% | ||
| Republican | Henry Fette | 39,406 | 12.88% | ||
| Socialist Labor | Robert Clement | 3,645 | 1.19% | ||
| Socialist Labor | Josephine Clement | 3,485 | 1.14% | ||
| Total votes | 305,859 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Hirkala (incumbent) | 5,605 | 100.00% | ||
| Total votes | 5,605 | 100.00% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph Hirkala (incumbent) | 33,047 | 63.88% | ||
| Republican | Louise Friedman | 18,682 | 36.12% | ||
| Total votes | 51,729 | 100.00% | |||
References
[edit]- ^ "In Service". Herald News. November 17, 1943. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Barszcz Names". Herald News. April 26, 1948. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Clerk Granted Sick Leave Sans Pay". Paterson Morning Call. May 25, 1951. p. 27 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Miss Chorazy Nurse, Marries". Herald News. February 11, 1952. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Hirkala Hat In Board Ring". Herald News. March 11, 1963. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Hirkala Appoints Simon Manager". Herald News. April 15, 1963. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Hirkala May Be Back Again". Herald News. May 15, 1963. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Barszcz Names Payne Personal, Tax Collector". Herald News. April 26, 1948. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Hirkala Returns To Passaic Post". Herald News. June 24, 1960. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Legislative Manual of New Jersey. Joseph J. Gribbons. 1972.
- ^ "Hirkala Is Named Acting Registrar". Paterson Morning Call. March 3, 1965. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "McCauley Out, Hirkala Gets Job". Paterson Evening News. March 4, 1971. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Passaic Names Galik Manager". Herald News. March 5, 1971. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Galik Named Passaic Manager". Herald News. March 5, 1971. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Ex-Servicemen Organize Four Passaic Wards for Troast". Herald News. October 27, 1953. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Hirkala's For Roe". The Morning Call. February 4, 1969. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Hirkala Will Manage Campaign For Roe". The Record. September 24, 1970. p. B16 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Hirkala Backs Crabiel Bid For Governor". Paterson Evening News. February 22, 1973. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Hirkala switches to Roe". The Record. March 1, 1973. p. A14 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "The governor's race heating up". Courier News. March 1, 1973. p. A6 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Crabiel's withdrawal, support gives Byrne front-runner's role". The Record. May 3, 1973. p. A1 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Grossi declines Paterson draft". The Record. June 13, 1972. p. A6 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Party Leaders Elected". Paterson Evening News. June 14, 1972. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Hirkala: Let Eagleton go". Herald News. July 28, 1972. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Hirkala Won't Seek Reelection As County Democratic Leader". Paterson Evening News. May 29, 1973. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Upset in Bergen tops county leader voting". Herald News. June 13, 1973. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Predict Quiet Election Except at Morris Polls". Paterson Evening News. September 9, 1967. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b 1967 primary 1967, p. 11.
- ^ "Salow Says New Board Not Legal". Herald News. August 12, 1967. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b 1967 election 1967, p. 12.
- ^ a b 1969 primary 1969, p. 12.
- ^ a b 1969 election 1969, p. 9.
- ^ a b 1971 primary 1971, p. 13.
- ^ a b 1971 election 1971, p. 12.
- ^ a b 1973 primary 1973, p. 14.
- ^ a b 1973 election 1973, p. 10.
- ^ "Compensation Law: 'Slight' Benefit Boon". Herald News. February 23, 1968. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Senate Appoints Turner To Two Key Committees". Gloucester County Times. January 15, 1972. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Hirkala Heads Senate Institutions Committee". Paterson Evening News. January 5, 1974. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Senate names Hirkala to leadership post". Herald News. February 1, 1972. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Democrat senators hold peaceful vote". Herald News. December 12, 1973. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Our Campaigns". Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- ^ "Joseph Hirkala Is Dead; A Jersey State Senator". New York Times. January 3, 1987.
- ^ "Hirkala Disavows Busing Support, Rival Skeptical". Paterson Evening News. October 27, 1967. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Bill Would Give Paterson Judge". The Morning Call. January 23, 1968. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Lawmakers Ask Income Tax Ban". The Morning Call. November 20, 1968. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Bill would freeze tuitions". Herald News. February 11, 1972. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "NJ Senate Restores Death Penalty". Paterson Evening News. May 12, 1972. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Works cited
[edit]- Results of the Primary Election Held September 12, 1967 (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1967.
- Results of the General Election Held November 7, 1967 (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1967.
- Results of the Primary Election Held June 3, 1969 (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1969.
- Results of the General Election Held November 4, 1969 (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1969.
- Results of the Primary Election Held June 8, 1971 (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1971.
- Results of the General Election Held November 2, 1971 (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1971.
- Results of the Primary Election Held June 5, 1973 (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1973.
- Results of the General Election Held November 6, 1973 (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1973.