Former New Jersey Lawmaker and Advocate Dick Zimmer Passes Away at 81

Former New Jersey Congressman Dick Zimmer, 81, died. Republican Zimmer was known for his lengthy and devoted devotion to the state and federal government, financial restraint, and child safety. His decades-long career shaped state laws and policies.

Born in Newark, Zimmer grew up in Bloomfield. He lost his father at three. Mother worked hard as a warehouse clerk to survive. Zimmer called their small apartment “the New Jersey equivalent of a log cabin” when recalling his disadvantaged youth. Zimmer attended Glen Ridge after his mother remarried and relocated there.

Zimmer studied politics after graduating from Yale in chemistry. was raised Democrat but eventually became Republican. Johnson & Johnson hired him as an attorney and general counsel after he graduated from Yale.

Zimmer became a public advocate as New Jersey Common Cause chair in the 1970s. He promoted the Sunshine Law, which opens government proceedings to the public. Before running for office, he was Tom Kean’s 1975 re-election treasurer.

Zimmer was elected to the NJ General Assembly in 1981 and Senate in 1987. He prioritized fiscal restraint, tax cuts, and government efficiency. He created the state’s first agricultural protection law, showing he cared about the economy and environment.

Zimmer became nationally famous in 1990 after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent New Jersey’s 12th District. Congress acknowledged him as a fiscal conservative. He needed to support Megan’s Law, named after Hamilton’s 7-year-old Megan Kanka, who died. The 1996 law requires parents to be notified about registered sex offenders in their localities. This advances kid protection.

Zimmer resigned Congress to seek for Senate in 1996. Zimmer won the GOP primary when Bradley ruled against running again. Then Democrat Robert Torricelli defeated him by 10 points. He nearly lost to Rush Holt in 2000 when he ran for the House again. Zimmer attempted Senate again as a Republican in 2008, but Lautenberg won.

Political colleagues admired Zimmer’s life and work. Former Republican governor Christie Whitman called him “a friend and a principled elected official” and offered his family sympathies. Governor Phil Murphy also lauded Zimmer for his budget prudence, child safety, and transparency.

Zimmer ran politics and community service from a Delaware Township farm for decades. His work on public service, moral leadership, and effective laws revolutionized New Jersey’s legislature.

Dick Zimmer’s death ended a moment in New Jersey politics when rational government, lawmaking, and public service were valued.

Sources:

• Official statement from Governor Phil Murphy, State of New Jersey
• Public records of U.S. Congress and New Jersey State Legislature
• Historical archives of New Jersey Common Cause and Sunshine Law legislation