Joseph Vas

Joseph Vas (born January 18, 1955) is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2004–2010, where he represented the 19th Legislative District. He did not seek re-election to the assembly in 2009. He also served as Mayor for the City of Perth Amboy from 1990 to 2008. He was defeated for re-election to a 5th full term by local bank vice president Wilda Diaz in 2008 by a 61% to 39% margin. He was elected Perth Amboy Democratic Chairman in 2008, succeeding his longtime campaign chairman Ray Geneske. Vas resigned as the party chairman in 2009. He was convicted of state corruption charges in 2010 and federal corruption charges in 2011.

For nearly two decades, Joe Vas was a major political powerhouse and boss in Perth Amboy & Middlesex County politics. His 2008 upset defeat followed by corruption charges sent a shockwave in New Jersey politics as one time political boss and powerbroker had fallen.

Vas attended Vanderbilt University., New Jersey Legislature. Accessed February 14, 2008.

Local politics

Vas was one of two Hispanic candidates who ran against incumbent George Otlowski in the 1988 mayoral race, with Vas coming in second, losing by 325 votes.Cheslow, Jerry. , The New York Times, January 1, 1989. Accessed July 6, 2010. Vas served as Mayor of Perth Amboy, beginning in 1990, when he became the first Hispanic elected to serve as the City's mayor. He was...
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