James "Jim" Beach (born October 28, 1946) is an American Democratic Party politician who has served in the New Jersey Senate since 2009, where he represents the 6th legislative district. He has been the assistant majority leader in the Senate since 2016.
Early life Beach has earned a B.S. degree in psychology from Midwestern College and a M.A. degree in personnel services from Rowan University. A resident of Voorhees Township,Staff. "Democrats maintain grip on N.J. Assembly", The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 4, 2009. Accessed March 17, 2011. "In the Senate, Democrat James Beach - a Voorhees resident who served as Camden County clerk and freeholder - bested Republican Joseph Adolf..." Beach first entered Camden County politics after responding to a 1990 recruitment ad that county Democrats had posted seeking prospective candidates to burnish the party's image and help retain the Democrats' control of county government. Beach showed up at his interview with his tax bill complaining about his taxes, and was described by Freeholder Jeffrey L. Nash as just what the party was seeking in a candidate, "regular people complaining about their taxes". He was elected to the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1991, and was named as freeholder director in 1993. Beach was elected as Camden County Clerk in 1995.
New Jersey Senate He served as county clerk until 2009 until he was appointed to the Senate seat formerly held by John Adler, who had won a seat in the United States House of Representatives.Burton, Cynthia. "Camden County clerk to fill John Adler's term", Philadelphia Inquirer, December 2, 2008. Accessed March 16, 2009. With the endorsement of George Norcross, Beach ran unopposed in the convention.Staff. "Norcross picks Beach for Adler Senate seat", Politicker NJ, November 27, 2008. Accessed January 7, 2012. Beach won a November 2009 special election in order to remain in the Senate through the end of Adler's four-year term. Beach saw his salary drop from $153,437 annually as county clerk to $49,000 as state senator, and indicated after his selection to fill the Senate seat that he would seek additional employment to supplement his salary, ensuring that there was no conflict with his position as senator. Beach was soon hired by Camden County College for a part-time job as an advisor, allowing him to collect an annual salary of $10,400 and remain in New Jersey's Public Employee Retirement System, for which county clerks but not state senators are eligible.Editorial. "Another example of the need for pension reform in New Jersey", The Star-Ledger, July 27, 2009. accessed January 7, 2011. "A lot of people talk about the huge deficit in New Jersey's pension fund. But state Sen. Jim Beach is doing something about it.He's making it worse." After critical editorials in The Star-Ledger and the Courier-Post accused Beach of abusing the public pension system, Beach left the Camden County College job.Ingle, Bob. "Less sunny now for this Beach", Asbury Park Press, July 31, 2009. Accessed January 7, 2011. "Now, reports the Courier-Post, Beach has resigned. "I think he realized what he was doing was politics as usual and it wouldn't pass the smell test for this election," said Joe Adolf, Beach's Republican foe in the race for the 6th District Senate seat. Maybe the public is finally getting tired of double-dippers, even in Camden County." He has served as Assistant Majority Leader since 2014.
Committees Committee assignments for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:Senator James Beach, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed March 14, 2022. State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation (as chair)
District 6 Each of the 40 districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly.New Jersey State Constitution 1947 (Updated Through Amendments Adopted in November, 2020): Article IV, Section II, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 28, 2022. Representatives from the 6th District for the 2024—2025 Legislative Session are:Legislative Roster for District 6, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2022. Senator James Beach (D) Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D) Assemblywoman Pamela Rosen Lampitt (D)
Personal life Beach had worked as an educator and football coach at schools including both St. Joseph's High School and Eastside High School in Camden and Highland Regional High School in Blackwood, and had been director of vocational education at the Black Horse Pike Regional School District.
Election history Senate
References
External links Senator Beach's legislative web page, New Jersey Legislature New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms 2010 2009 2008 Project Vote Smart - James Beach profile