George A. Spadoro

George A. Spadoro is an American Democratic Party politician who served three terms as Mayor of Edison, and two terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represented the 18th Legislative District.

His wife is the Founder and CEO of Future Care Inc. His son, Michael Spadoro, works as a Political Director for U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and was featured in the Insider NJ 2018 Insider 100: Millennials. His Daughter, Katie Spadoro, is currently the President and Founder of CYB Human Resources LLC, a human resource management service company and CYBHR, an online HR company. His Daughter, Jasmine Spadoro, is a staff member at Pace University, a private University located in downtown Manhattan.

On January 1, 2008, Spadoro joined as Senior Member of CSG Law where he counsels senior executives in financing, commercial litigation and strategic planning. His primary areas of practice includes general corporate, commercial and business matters, family-business law, financial matters and mergers and acquisitions. He works with accountants and other tax experts to advise U.S. clients on their domestic legal structures. Spadoro also advises on international matters and has experience negotiating cross-border transactions.

Seeking a fourth term, he was defeated in the 2005 Democratic mayoral primary by Jun Choi. Reasons cited for Spadoro's loss include a split in the local Democratic party, the loss of union support due to the approval of a Walmart retail store, and a large turnout of first-time Asian voters due to the New Jersey 101.5 radio controversy.

George Spadoro ran for re-election for Mayor in November 1997 and 2001 and was chosen by the people to continue to serve at the helm of the 5th largest municipality in the state. He began his third term on January 1, 2002.

On August 4, 2002, Spadoro made efforts to restore the Thomas Edison Memorial Tower by hiring its first full-time employee who helped restore the tower and its museum. The newly hired employees title was museum director and his job included everything from painting the base of the tower to persuading famous people, such as President Gerald R. Ford and Walter Cronkite, to record their voices on a 1909-cylinder phonograph invented by Edison.

Following the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, Spadoro, along with many other New York municipalities, authorized members of the Edison Police and Fire Department to provide emergency response support at ground zero, the site of the attack.

On December 9, 2001, Ford had announced their plans to close their assembly plant which was expected to impact 1,700 employees. Spadoro played a role in attempts to prevent the massive layoff when he urged an "economic summit" with Ford officials, the United Auto Workers and members of McGreevey's administration. His attempts extended further with James McGreevey and their traveling to Michigan to meet with Ford Executives.  After the attempts to prevent the factory closing, Spadoro made plans for redevelopment of the land that was anticipated to have a positive impact on the town of Edison .

In 1999, the Mayor announced the implementation of a new Defibrillator program for Edison. By increasing the number of Defibrillators in town and by training personnel in the use of them, Mayor Spadoro hoped to save lives. The program included training of police, fire, and municipal personnel as well as companies and citizens around Edison. He also introduced a police car take home program, reducing maintenance costs and increasing police visibility in the community.

The establishment of the Edison Arts Society marked a triumph for the Mayor, as he increased community awareness about the rich arts culture in Edison. The first Arts Summit, held in June 1998, included speaker Robert Pastorelli, an actor who has played 'Eldin' on Murphy Brown, and focused on the importance of the arts in Edison. Following the establishment of the Arts Society, a number of programs including the organization of the Edison Symphony Orchestra and an Annual High School Art Competition, Holiday Dance Extravaganza, Poetry readings, and Outreach Workshops in poetry, drama, and art.

Spadoro was elected mayor of Edison Township in November 1993. His campaign focused on the issues of job creation and tax stabilization, environmental protection and the preservation of open spaces, and open and accessible government. Mayor Spadoro took office on January 1, 1994. He won a second term in 1997, defeating seven challengers. In the landslide victory, Spadoro received 14,081 votes. His nearest competitor, Republican Eileen Germain Teffenhart, received 5,782.

Shortly after being sworn in as Mayor, Spadoro had the honor of hosting the visit of President Bill Clinton to Edison on February 16, 1994. The president had come to deliver an address to the American Association of Retired Persons in Edison.

Among his accomplishments as Councilman, Spadoro created Edison's Senior Citizen Housing Agency and sponsored the unique Senior Citizens' Set Aside Ordinance, which required developers of multiple-unit dwellings to designate 10% of the total number of units for low and moderate income senior citizens. He led the fight to halt the construction of two co-generation incinerators in Edison and voted to save the Dismal Swamp, a 1,240-acre wetland that serves as the largest natural area in northern Middlesex County. In 1988, he organized the Edison Township Waterfront Recreation Area Study to evaluate the merits of recreational development along miles of the raritan river in Edison.

After being elected in 1987, from 1988 to 1991 (two terms), he represented District 18 in the New Jersey General Assembly. He became Chairman of the State Assembly Transportation Authorities, Telecommunications, and Technology Committee. During his term as chairman, George authored and was responsible for the passage of legislation that opened the door for the use of fiber optics. This legislation was hailed as marking the turning point in New Jersey's emergence as a leader in the telecommunications revolution.

George Spadoro served as an Edison Township Councilman for eight years between 1981 and 1988, serving as Council President from 1987 through 1988. Spadoro demonstrated an unending commitment to open government, the safety and security of Edison residents and senior citizens, and the preservation of the environment. His involvement with the shutting down and cleaning up of the Kin-Buc chemical waste landfill, a superfund site, extended through his political career into his days as Edison Mayor.

Spadoro first ran for public office in 1978, challenging incumbent Democratic Congressman Edward J. Patten in the primary election and receiving 41% of the vote. During the 1980s, Spadoro was a member of the Edison Township Council.

George Spadoro graduated University of California Hastings College of Law with a J.D. in 1973.

He attended college at the University of Connecticut for 4 years, where he served as chairman of the student senate and vice president of the student government. He graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in 1970. Spadoro then continued on to the University of California Hastings College of Law, where he named to the Hastings Law Journal, was elected student government president of the Associated Students of Hastings (ASH) and served as an ex officio member of the law school board of governors.

George A. Spadoro was born on March 27, 1948, in Jersey City, New Jersey. After moving to Edison, New Jersey he attended J. P. Stevens High School and graduated in 1966.