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.
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 |
Early life and education
editJoseph 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
editLocal politics
editHirkala 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
editHirkala 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
editIn 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]
In 1975, Senator John J. Fay Jr. accused Hirkala of improper conduct by delaying a bill that would create a legislative commission to study allegations in the nursing home industry. He stated that two of Hirkala's unpaid advisers were nursing home operators. Hirkala requested an investigation into himself and Matthew Boylan, the director of criminal justice, determined that no improper conduct was discovered.[42]
He was elected State Senator in 1971, and re-elected in 1973, 1977, 1981, and 1983.[43] 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.[44]
Political positions
editHirkala opposed the use of desegregation busing.[45] He and Augustus Capers proposed an amendment to the Constitution of New Jersey to lower the voting age to 18 in 1968.[46] He supported an amendment to the state constitution to prohibit an income tax.[47][48] He supported legislation to freeze the price of tuition at state colleges.[49] He voted in favor of restoring capital punishment in 1972.[50] He opposed efforts to abolish the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation in 1975.[51] Hirkala wrote a resolution honoring József Mindszenty following his death.[52]
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) - ^ "No improper conduct found against Hirkala". Herald News. February 14, 1975. p. 8 – 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) - ^ "How legislators line up on tax". The Star-Ledger. February 10, 1975. p. 4 – 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) - ^ "Hirkala for SCI Continuance". Paterson Evening News. March 5, 1975. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Cardinal Mindszenty Gets Senate Tribute". Paterson Evening News. May 12, 1975. 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.