John Herbert Adler (August 23, 1959April 4, 2011) was an American lawyer, politician and a member of the Democratic Party who served for one term as the U.S. representative for from 2009 until 2011. Prior to joining Congress, Adler was a member of the New Jersey Senate from 1992 to 2009.
Only a few months after leaving the House, Adler unexpectedly died after suffering from endocarditis as a result of getting a staphylococcal infection.
Early life and education Adler was born in Philadelphia, the son of Mary Louise (née Beatty) and John Herbert Adler. His ancestry included German (including Bavarian), English, and Irish. He moved to Haddonfield, New Jersey when he was two years old. His father owned a small dry cleaning store. When Adler was in high school, his father died after a series of heart attacks. Adler and his mother lost the family business, and survived off his father's Social Security benefits for widows and minors. He attended Haddonfield Memorial High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Harvard College and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.Senator Adler's legislative web page , New Jersey Legislature. Retrieved February 24, 2008. He paid for law school through student loans, grants, and working odd jobs throughout college.
Early political career From 1988 until 1989, Adler served on the Cherry Hill Township Council. While serving on the council, Adler passed the township's ethics ordinance.Adler for Congress website biography . Accessed March 22, 2010.
In 1990, Adler challenged incumbent Jim Saxton for his seat in New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District. Adler was defeated by Saxton by a margin of 60% to 40%.King, Wayne. " The 1990 Elections: New Jersey – Congressional Races; Voters Angry, but Not at Incumbents", The New York Times, November 7, 1990. Retrieved August 11, 2008.
New Jersey State Senate
Adler was elected in 1991 to the New Jersey Senate, where he served from 1992 until 2009 representing New Jersey’s 6th Legislative District. While in the Senate, Adler served on the Judiciary Committee (as Chair) and the Environment Committee. He served on the New Jersey Israel Commission since 1995, and on the New Jersey Intergovernmental Relations Commission from 1994 to 2002.
Legislation Adler was co-sponsor of the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act, enacted in 2006, which banned smoking in almost all public places.Gurney, Kaitlin. "N.J. ban on indoor smoking passes: The Assembly sent the bill, with an exemption for casino floors, to Gov. Codey. He is expected to sign it Sunday.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 10, 2006. Retrieved August 7, 2008. Adler was one of three co-sponsors of a Senate bill submitted in 2008 that would extend the smoking ban to casinos and simulcasting facilities, which had been exempted in the earlier version of the ban.213th Legislature: S236 , New Jersey Legislature. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
Adler co-sponsored legislation that strips government pensions from public employees who are convicted of or plead guilty to corruption charges.Della Santi, Angela via the Associated Press. "Convicted N.J. pols stand to lose hefty pensions" , Burlington County Times, August 12, 2007. Accessed August 7, 2008.
Adler co-sponsored a bill that would expand voting rights for military personnel and New Jersey citizens overseas to include state and local elections. The bill was signed into law on August 12, 2008, by Governor Corzine.Staff. "Governor Signs Legislation Allowing Deployed Troops to Vote in State Races" , Cape May County Herald, August 13, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee assignments Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
U.S. Congressman Adler was ranked by The National Journal as one of the ten most centrist members in the House of Representatives. He is ranked as 50.5 percent liberal and 49.5 percent conservative.
Legislation Adler was in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Adler voted against the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), and later voted to end the program. In January 2009, Adler announced his first bill as a U.S. Representative: the Safeguarding America's Seniors and Veterans Act, which mandated a one-time payment of $500 to persons eligible for Social Security, railroad retirement, or veterans disability benefits."Bill Summary & Status – 111th Congress (2009–2010) – H.R.746". THOMAS (Library of Congress). Retrieved October 19, 2012. According to a statement by Adler's office, the bill was necessary because "the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 fails to address the needs of our seniors and veterans"."The Safeguarding America's Seniors and Veterans Act". Press release by John Adler, reproduced at Project Vote Smart. January 26, 2009. Retrieved 2012-10-19. The bill attracted 11 cosponsors; it was referred to the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health, and progressed no further. Adler voted for the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.Final Vote Results for Roll Call 968
In November 2009 and March 2010, Adler voted against House and the Senate Health Care bills. He did not sign a petition circulated by Iowa Republican Steve King calling for a complete repeal of the law.Discharge Petition 0011
Adler voted in favor of the American Clean Energy and Security Act.
Political campaigns
2008
On September 20, 2007, Adler announced that he planned a second challenge to Saxton. By this time, the district had been renumbered as .Hester Jr., Tom (Associated Press). "State Sen. Adler to challenge Saxton for Congress", Newsday, September 20, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2007. The district stretches from the suburbs of Philadelphia to Ocean County. On November 9, 2007, Saxton announced that he would not seek reelection in 2008, citing prostate cancer. This dramatically altered the dynamics of the race; instead of facing a 25-year incumbent, Adler was now running in an open seat.Hernandez, Raymond. "Citing Health, Lawmaker Announces Plan to Retire", The New York Times, November 10, 2007. Accessed December 1, 2007. "Representative Jim Saxton of New Jersey, a Republican who has served in Congress since 1984, said Friday that he would not seek re-election next year because he has prostate cancer." Adler was unopposed in the Democratic primary, and faced Republican Medford Mayor, Lockheed Martin executive, and Gulf War veteran Chris Myers.Chris Myers campaign website . Retrieved August 8, 2008. Adler held a financial advantage over his opponent through all of the race, holding a 10–1 or 5–1 funding edge over Myers for a majority of the campaign.Smith, Bridget. "Adler has big edge over Myers in raising campaign funds", Courier-Post, August 3, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2008. Adler had raised the most money in the country of any non-incumbent congressional candidate."Winners and Losers", PolitickerNJ.com, July 18, 2008. Accessed August 6, 2008. "Democrat John Adler is a clear winner: he's raised $1.9 million for his third district race – that's more than any non-incumbent candidate nationally."2008 Race: New Jersey District 3 – Total Raised and Spent, OpenSecrets. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
Adler received a number of endorsements for the election, including those from the Teamsters, Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, New Jersey Environmental Federation, The Sierra Club, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Health Care, and the Recreational Fishing Alliance.“Humane Society Legislative Fund Announces Endorsements” , May 22, 2008. Retrieved October 13, 2008.“National Committee Endorsement”, PolitickernNJ, October 22. 2008. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee committed $1.7 million in ad buys to Adler's campaign.Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee website In comparison, the NRCC committed $84,200 in coordinated ad buys with the Myers campaign, in addition to help the NRCC gave in financing an internal poll in September with the Myers campaign. Myers also benefited from two ad buys by the 501(c)(4) organization Freedom's Watch, which attacked John Adler on his tax record, his legislative history, and contributions he received from subprime mortgage companies.
Adler won a majority of newspaper endorsements. He was endorsed by the Press of Atlantic City,“3rd Congressional District: Elect Adler” , Press of Atlantic City, October 19, 2008. Retrieved October 19, 2008. The Philadelphia Inquirer,“Editorial: N.J. Districts: House”, Trading Markets, October 20, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2008. The New York Times, “Editorial – For the House”, The New York Times, October 25, 2008. Retrieved October 25, 2008. the Burlington County Times,“Burlington County Times Endorsement for John Adler”, Burlington County Times, October 26, 2008. Accessed October 27, 2008. the Courier-Post,"In the 3rd District, Adler is the choice; Where We Stand: Democrat John Adler has a solid platform and should get the chance to follow through on his ideas in Washington.", Courier-Post, October 22, 2008. Accessed December 18, 2022, via Newspapers.com. Myers received the endorsement of the Asbury Park Press."Send Myers to Washington", Asbury Park Press, October 22, 2008. Accessed December 18, 2022, via Newspapers.com.
The 3rd district race was the last one to be called in New Jersey on Election Night 2008. Adler ultimately defeated Myers with 52.08% of the vote to Myers' 47.92%. He was sworn into his position as the Congressman from the 3rd district of New Jersey in the United States House of Representatives on January 6, 2009, the first Democrat to represent this district in 123 years. The district was the 1st for most of the time until 1967, then was the 6th from 1967 to 1983, the 13th from 1983 to 1993, and has been the 3rd since 1993.
2010
Adler lost the 2010 midterm election to Republican nominee Jon Runyan. Adler received 47.3% of the vote, while Runyan received slightly more than half the votes cast. Runyan is a former Philadelphia Eagles star and a Mount Laurel resident.
In addition to Runyan, Adler was challenged by NJ Tea Party nominee Peter DeStefano, Libertarian nominee Russ Conger, and Your Country Again nominee Lawrence J. Donahue.
Republicans heavily targeted this seat in this election cycle. A warning sign for Adler came in the New Jersey gubernatorial race in 2009, when Republican candidate Chris Christie carried Adler's district by 17 points over Democratic Governor Jon Corzine Governor Christie campaigned hard for Runyan, calling Adler a "career politician".