Bill Spadea
William G. Spadea (born March 25, 1969) is an American businessman and television host from New Jersey, who was the Republican nominee for United States Congress in New Jersey's 12th congressional district in 2004. He was Chairman of the College Republican National Committee (1993–95) and currently hosts Chasing New Jersey.[1] As of December 2015, Spadea has been the morning drive time host on New Jersey 101.5 (WKXW), replacing long time morning personality Jim Gearhart.[2]
Background[]
Spadea graduated from Boston University in 1991. He is a former United States Marine receiving an honorable discharge in 1999. Spadea served as the elected Chairman of the College Republican National Committee (CRNC).[3] During his term, the Republican National Committee discontinued funding for the College Republicans.[4]
CRNC Chairmanship[]
Spadea began a nationwide program to register students with the CRNC. The use of the standard form for recruitment of College Republicans started during his term from 1993 through 1995 and helped the CRNC to get a grasp on its total membership.[clarification needed] He kept contact with the membership through a national newspaper titled the Broadside, which was delivered to tens of thousands of College Republicans across the country.[5] Spadea assisted the hundreds of youth efforts that changed the course of history by electing a Republican Congress for the first time over 40 years in 1994.[6]
Run for Congress and political follow-up[]
Running a grassroots campaign that included walking 200 miles to each of 44 towns in the district,[7] he polled over 40% of the vote on election day [8] and was ranked 17th out of 157 GOP challengers nationwide.
Spadea was successful in raising more money than any other Republican challenger in New Jersey in 2004.[9] He was considered a possible candidate for the United States Senate in 2006.[10] Spadea served as a surrogate speaker for former New York City Mayor and presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani in New Jersey.[11]
In 2012, Spadea ran for the state legislature, running for the 16th District's Assembly seat that was vacant after the death of Assemblyman Peter J. Biondi. In the convention to appoint a replacement, he finished second with 52 votes, behind Readington Township Committeewoman Donna Simon with 155 votes.[12]
Spadea lost both of his political campaigns.[13][14]
Spadea is a regular guest and contributor on WNYW in New York City and WWOR-TV as a political analyst and Republican strategist.[citation needed]
Positions[]
In June 2018, Spadea advocated for a state constitutional amendment to revoke the controversial Mount Laurel doctrine, arguing the imposition of unnecessary housing development increased tax burdens unfairly.[15]
Vaccine controversy[]
Spadea has been criticized by some for his zealous on-air advocacy against the need for COVID-19 vaccination and other routine vaccination in New Jersey.[16][17]
Personal life[]
Since 1999, Spadea has been a corporate vice president for education and career development in the real estate industry for Weichert, Realtors. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey with his wife and their two children.
See also[]
- List of Chairpersons of the College Republicans
References[]
- ^ Bill Spadea website; accessed October 24, 2014.
- ^ 101.5 website; accessed September 19, 2016
- ^ "College Republicans elect new chief". The Washington Times. July 30, 1995.
- ^ "Collegians Defunded". The Washington Times. January 31, 1995.
- ^ "College Group Loses Money From G.O.P." The New York Times. January 30, 1995.
- ^ Profile Archived June 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, minormusings.com; accessed October 24, 2014.
- ^ Profile Archived June 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, dailyprincetonian.com, October 21, 2004; accessed October 24, 2014.
- ^ "2004 Massachusetts General Election Results". Boston.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
- ^ Profile, opensecrets.org; accessed October 24, 2014.
- ^ Spadea as possible candidate in 2006 for U.S. Senate, politickernj.com; accessed October 24, 2014.
- ^ Profile, politickernj.com; accessed October 24, 2014.
- ^ "Readington's Donna Simon chosen to take the late Peter Biondi's 16th District Assembly seat". The Messenger-Gazette. January 20, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
- ^ "Readington's Donna Simon chosen to take the late Peter Biondi's 16th District Assembly seat". The Messenger-Gazette. January 20, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
- ^ Profile, opensecrets.org; accessed October 24, 2014.
- ^ Affordable housing law making NJ un-affordable (Opinion) http://nj1015.com/affordable-house-making-nj-un-affordable-opinion @nj1015
- ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/nyregion/nj-vaccinations-religious-exemption.html
- ^ https://www.app.com/story/news/health/2021/08/04/nj-covid-vaccine-misinformation-social-media-facebook/8091927002/
External links[]
- 1969 births
- American television journalists
- Businesspeople from New Jersey
- Boston University alumni
- College Republican National Committee chairs
- Living people
- New Jersey Republicans
- People from Princeton, New Jersey
- American male journalists