Michael J. Doherty

{{short description|American politician (born 1963) from New Jersey}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Michael Doherty

| image = Michael J Doherty Operation Enduring Freedom.jpg

| state_senate1 = New Jersey

| district1 = 23rd

| term_start1 = November 23, 2009

| term_end1 = November 30, 2022

| predecessor1 = Marcia A. Karrow

| successor1 = Doug Steinhardt

| state_assembly2 = New Jersey

| district2 = 23rd

| term_start2 = January 8, 2002

| term_end2 = November 23, 2009

| predecessor2 = Leonard Lance

| successor2 = Erik Peterson

| office3 = Member of the Warren County
Board of County Commissioners from the 1st district

| term_start3 = January 1, 2001

| term_end3 = January 1, 2004

| predecessor3 = Ann M. Stone

| successor3 = Everett A. Chamberlain

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|5|24}}

| birth_place = Point Pleasant, New Jersey

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Republican

| spouse = Linda Doherty

| children = Three

| alma_mater = United States Military Academy (BS)
Seton Hall University (JD)

| website = {{URL|1=https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/bio.asp?Leg=206 |2=Legislative website}}

}}

Michael J. Doherty (born May 24, 1963) is an American Republican Party politician who has served as the surrogate of Warren County, New Jersey since November 30, 2022. He previously served in the New Jersey Senate representing the 23rd Legislative District. He was sworn into the State Senate on November 23, 2009, having won the seat held by Marcia A. Karrow, who had earlier been selected by a party convention to succeed Leonard Lance after his election to the United States House of Representatives. Doherty served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2002 to 2009.

Early life

Doherty was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey and resides in Washington Township, Warren County, New Jersey.[http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=22500 Assembly Member Michael J. Doherty], Project Vote Smart. Accessed August 16, 2007. Doherty grew up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey and graduated from Glen Ridge High School in 1981.

In 1985, Doherty graduated with a B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and was commissioned as an officer in the Field Artillery. Doherty served on active duty in the United States Army from 1985–89 and in the United States Army Reserve from 1989–93, achieving the rank of captain. He is a graduate of the United States Army Airborne School, the U.S. Army Jungle School and the Defense Language Institute (German). In the Army, he was stationed in Germany and served as a nuclear operations officer. His unit's mission was to utilize nuclear armed missiles to defend Western Europe and NATO forces from possible Soviet aggression. He was granted a Top Secret clearance to perform his nuclear duties.[http://doherty.senatenj.com/doherty.php Senator Michael J. Doherty], New Jersey Senate Republicans. Accessed November 23, 2016.

Doherty and his wife, Linda, have three sons, who have served or are serving on active duty in different branches of the armed forces: Matthew, U.S. Army; Ryan, U.S. Marine Corps; and Jared, U.S. Air Force.

In 1993, he was awarded a J.D. from the Seton Hall University School of Law. Doherty is a patent attorney, specializing in semiconductor and medical device technology.

Warren County Board of County Commissioners

Doherty served on the Warren County Board of County Commissioners from the 1st district . In 2000, he defeated the incumbent Freeholder Director, a Democrat, to capture control of the Freeholder Board for the Republican Party.{{cite web | url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29337 | title=Our Campaigns - Warren County Freeholder Race - Nov 07, 2000 }}{{cite web | url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/legislature/doherty-will-run/ | title=Doherty will run for Warren Surrogate, Steinhardt will seek his Senate seat | date=27 August 2022 }} In 2001, he served as deputy director of the Freeholder Board.{{Cite web|url=http://co.warren.nj.us/freeholders.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010203162200/http://co.warren.nj.us/freeholders.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2001|title=Board of Chosen Freeholders|work=Wayback Machine|access-date=27 April 2019}} He was elected to serve as the Director of the Board in both 2002 and 2003.

Doherty also began a program to reduce the county debt. He prevailed in a showdown with a Superior Court judge who threatened to jail Doherty unless he issued $5 million in bonds to fund an expansion of Warren County Community College. The New Jersey Supreme Court sided with Doherty and held that the Freeholder Board was correct to ignore the judge's order.{{cite web|title=WARREN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. WARREN COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS, Defendant-Appellant. IN RE: the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders Charged With Contempt of Court.|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/nj-superior-court-appellate-division/1356618.html|website=FindLaw|access-date=14 July 2017}}

New Jersey Assembly

Doherty was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 2001, and was re-elected in 2003, 2005 and 2007. He served in the Assembly on the Appropriations Committee and the Labor Committee.[http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=206 Assemblyman Doherty's legislative web page], New Jersey Legislature. Accessed April 5, 2007 Early in his Assembly career, he served on the Agriculture Committee, the Housing and the Local Government Committee, and the State House Commission.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

New Jersey Senate

In November 2008, Doherty announced his intention to run for the State Senate seat vacated by Leonard Lance, who was elected to represent the 7th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Wichert |title=Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow enters race to become state senator in 23rd Legislative District |work=The Express-Times |date=2008-11-21 |access-date=2008-12-17 |url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/index.ssf?/base/news-0/122724393878150.xml&coll=3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522083605/http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-0%2F122724393878150.xml&coll=3 |archive-date=2011-05-22 }}

Doherty's opponent in the race was Assemblywoman Marcia A. Karrow.{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Wichert |title=Three Republicans vie to fill state Senate seat due to be vacated by Leonard Lance |work=The Express-Times |date=2008-12-15 |access-date=2008-12-17 |url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/index.ssf?/base/news-0/122724393878150.xml&coll=3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522083605/http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-0%2F122724393878150.xml&coll=3 |archive-date=2011-05-22 }} Hunterdon County Freeholder Matt Holt originally planned to run for the vacancy as well, but he dropped out to run for one of the Assembly vacancies opened up by Karrow or Doherty.{{cite web |title=Holt decides to run for assembly instead of state senate |publisher=PolitickerNJ |date=2009-01-05 |access-date=2009-01-05 |url=http://www.politickernj.com/matt-friedman/26350/holt-decides-run-assembly-instead-state-senate }}

On January 24, 2009, a special election was held by a convention of Republican committee members from Hunterdon and Warren counties. Karrow defeated Doherty in the special election by a margin of 195 votes to 143. Doherty announced that he would run against Karrow a second time in the June 2009 primary, when she would be running as the incumbent. Doherty gave up his Assembly seat by opposing Karrow in the primary.{{cite web |title=Karrow wins; calls for unity as Doherty vows to fight on in the primary |publisher=PolitickerNJ |date=2009-01-24 |access-date=2009-01-24 |url=http://www.politickernj.com/max/26842/karrow-wins }} On June 2, 2009, Doherty defeated Karrow in the Republican Senate primary by a margin of 52%-48%.{{cite web |title=Karrow loses in Hunterdon and Warren |publisher=PolitickerNJ |date=2009-06-02 |access-date=2009-06-03 |url=http://www.politickernj.com/wallye/30274/karrow-loses-hunterdon-and-warren }}

He defeated the Democratic candidate Harvey Baron in a special election on November 3, 2009, to fill the remaining two years of the Senate term, garnering 71% of the vote.{{cite news|url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/elections/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1257311120118530.xml&coll=3 |title=Republican Michael Doherty wins New Jersey Senate post; GOP running mates John DiMaio and Erik Peterson capture state Assembly seats |first=Bill |last=Wichert |work=The Express-Times |date=2009-11-04 |access-date=2009-11-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728090823/http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/elections/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-0%2F1257311120118530.xml&coll=3 |archive-date=2011-07-28 }} He was first sworn into his Senate seat on November 23, 2009.{{cite news |title=Michael Doherty sworn in as new state senator representing Warren, Hunterdon counties |url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/express-times/index.ssf/2009/11/sen_michael_doherty_sworn_in_t.html |first=Bill |last=Wichert |work=The Express-Times |date=2009-11-23 |access-date=2009-11-23}} In the Senate for the 2018-19 session, Doherty serves on the Education Committee and the Judiciary Committee.[http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=206 Senator Doherty's page], New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 28, 2018. Doherty was re-elected to the Senate in November 2011, 2013 and 2017 by wide margins.

In September 2022, Doherty announced that he would retire from the Senate to seek the Warren County Surrogate’s Office. Former State GOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt announced that he would run in a special election convention in for the vacated senate seat; Doherty endorsed Steinhardt as his successor.Wildstein, David. [https://newjerseyglobe.com/legislature/steinhardt-locks-up-key-endorsements-to-secure-state-senate-seat/ "Steinhardt locks up key endorsements to secure State Senate seat"], New Jersey Globe, September 1, 2022. Accessed September 29, 2022. "Former GOP State Chairman Doug Steinhardt appears to have lined up enough support to win the 23rd district State Senate seat after receiving endorsements from key Republican officials, including the man he wants to succeed, State Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Oxford)."

= Committees =

Judiciary
Education

2012 U.S. Senate election

There had been speculation that Doherty would run against incumbent Bob Menendez for United States Senator.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/77319-new-jersey-gop-lacking-a-name-to-face-a-more-vulnerable-menendez/|title=New Jersey GOP lacking a name to face a more vulnerable Menendez|date=December 12, 2010|access-date=December 29, 2010|work=The Hill|first=Shane|last=D'Aprile}} Assemblyman John DiMaio from the same legislative district as Doherty has said he would endorse Doherty if he ran.{{cite web|url=http://www.politickernj.com/50285/dimaio-says-he-would-support-doherty-us-senate-bid|title=DiMaio says he would support Doherty U.S. Senate bid|last=Pizarro|first=Max|date=17 August 2011|publisher=PolitickerNJ.com|access-date=26 September 2011}} In February 2012, Doherty announced his support for Joseph M. Kyrillos for the Republican nomination for the 2012 U.S. Senate race.Pizzaro, Max. [http://www.politickernj.com/54731/doherty-formally-backs-kyrillos-senate "Doherty formally backs Kyrillos for Senate"], PolitickerNJ, February 10, 2012. Accessed June 22, 2012. "Surprising no one at this point after strengthening his relationship with the Christie administration, state Sen. Mike Doherty (R-23) today said he intends to back state state Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R-13) for U.S. Senate."

Electoral history

= New Jersey Senate =

{{Election box begin no change

|title = 23rd Legislative District general election, 2021{{cite web |title=Official List, Candidates for State Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 06/08/2021 Election |url=https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2021/2021-official-general-results-state-senate.pdf |publisher=Secretary of State of New Jersey |access-date=December 12, 2021 |date=November 30, 2021}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Michael J. Doherty (incumbent)

| votes = 46,554

| percentage = 60.95

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Denise T. King

| votes = 29,830

| percentage = 39.05

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 76,384

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

| loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin

| title = New Jersey general election, 2017{{cite web|title=Official List, Candidates for State Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 11/07/2017 Election|url=http://nj.gov/state/elections/2017-results/2017-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf|publisher=Secretary of State of New Jersey|access-date=December 31, 2017|date=November 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205042116/http://nj.gov/state/elections/2017-results/2017-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf|archive-date=December 5, 2017|url-status=dead}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| candidate = Michael J. Doherty (Incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 35,676

| percentage = 59.1

| change = {{decrease}} 8.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| candidate = Christine Lui Chen

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 24,730

| percentage = 40.9

| change = {{increase}} 9.7

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 60,406

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin no change | title= New Jersey State Senate elections, 2013{{cite web |url=http://www.njelections.org/2013-results/2013-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf |title=Official List Candidates for State Senate For GENERAL ELECTION 11/05/2015 Election |publisher=Secretary of State of New Jersey |date=December 4, 2013 |access-date=July 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704151019/http://www.njelections.org/2013-results/2013-official-general-election-results-state-senate.pdf |archive-date=July 4, 2015 |url-status=dead }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| |party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Michael J. Doherty (Incumbent)

|votes = 37,477

|percentage = 67.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| |party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Gerard R. Bowers

|votes = 17,311

|percentage = 31.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| |party = Independent politician

|candidate = Daniel Z. Seyler

|votes = 672

|percentage = 1.2

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

| |winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change | title= New Jersey State Senate elections, 2011[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2011-official-gen-elect-state-senate-results-121411.pdf Official List Candidate Returns for State Senate For November 2011 General Election] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713071730/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2011-official-gen-elect-state-senate-results-121411.pdf |date=2012-07-13 }}, New Jersey Department of State, December 14, 2011. Accessed June 22, 2012.}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| |party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Michael J. Doherty (Incumbent)

|votes = 27,750

|percentage = 61.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| |party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = John Graf, Jr.

|votes = 12,579

|percentage = 35.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| |party = Independent politician

|candidate = Daniel Z. Seyler

|votes = 1,040

|percentage = 3.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

| |winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin| title=Special election, November 3, 2009{{cite web|title=Official List, Candidate Returns for Special Senate Election for November 2009 General Election|url=http://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2009-official-gen-elect-state-senate-tallies-112309.pdf|publisher=Secretary of State of New Jersey|access-date=January 27, 2016}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Michael J. Doherty

|votes = 51,960

|percentage = 71.4

|change = {{increase}} 4.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Harvey Baron

|votes = 20,851

|percentage = 28.6

|change = {{increase}} 1.3

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 72,811

| percentage = 100.0

}}

= New Jersey Assembly =

{{Election box begin| title=New Jersey general election, 2007{{Cite web|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2007-official-general-election-tallies(ga)-12.12.07.pdf|title=2007-official-general-election-tallies(ga)-12.12.07.pdf|work=New Jersey Secretary of State|access-date=27 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304204320/http://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2007-official-general-election-tallies(ga)-12.12.07.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Marcia A. Karrow (Incumbent)

|votes = 28,904

|percentage = 31.0

|change = {{increase}} 1.6

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Michael J. Doherty (Incumbent)

|votes = 28,857

|percentage = 31.0

|change = {{decrease}} 0.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Dominick C. Santini Jr.

|votes = 18,333

|percentage = 19.7

|change = {{decrease}} 1.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Peter G. Maurer

|votes = 17,119

|percentage = 18.4

|change = {{increase}} 0.6

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 93,213

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin| title=New Jersey general election, 2005{{Cite web|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2005_Official_General_Assembly_tallies.pdf|title=05831236.pdf|work=New Jersey Secretary of State|access-date=27 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011052837/https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2005_Official_General_Assembly_tallies.pdf|archive-date=11 October 2018|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Michael J. Doherty (Incumbent)

|votes = 41,753

|percentage = 31.8

|change = {{increase}} 1.5

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Marcia A. Karrow

|votes = 38,623

|percentage = 29.4

|change = {{decrease}} 1.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Janice L. Kovach

|votes = 27,485

|percentage = 20.9

|change = {{increase}} 0.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott McDonald

|votes = 23,387

|percentage = 17.8

|change = {{decrease}} 0.7

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 131,248

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin| title=New Jersey general election, 2003{{Cite web|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2003gen-elect_assembly_candidate_tally.pdf|title=2003g_a_candidate_tally.pdf|work=New Jersey Secretary of State|access-date=27 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012821/http://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2003gen-elect_assembly_candidate_tally.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Connie Myers (Incumbent)

|votes = 26,122

|percentage = 30.9

|change = {{decrease}} 1.5

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Michael J. Doherty (Incumbent)

|votes = 25,554

|percentage = 30.3

|change = {{increase}} 1.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Brian D. Smith

|votes = 17,100

|percentage = 20.3

|change = {{increase}} 3.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Cynthia L. Ege

|votes = 15,658

|percentage = 18.5

|change = {{increase}} 2.4

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 84,434

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=New Jersey general election, 2001{{Cite web|url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2001-general-elect-gen-assembly-tallies.pdf|title=2001-general-elect-gen-assembly-tallies.pdf|work=New Jersey Secretary of State|access-date=27 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505095748/http://nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2001-general-elect-gen-assembly-tallies.pdf|archive-date=5 May 2017|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| |party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Connie Myers (Incumbent)

|votes = 39,313

|percentage = 32.4

|change =

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| |party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Michael J. Doherty

|votes = 35,345

|percentage = 29.2

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| |party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = J. Rebecca Goff

|votes = 19,995

|percentage = 16.5

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| |party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Thomas E. Palmieri

|votes = 19,454

|percentage = 16.1

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| |party = Warren/Hunterdon Independent

|candidate = Mike King

|votes = 7,060

|percentage = 5.8

|change =

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 121,167

| percentage = 100.0

}}

References

External links

[http://doherty.senatenj.com Senator Michael Doherty's Official Website]
[http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=206 Senator Doherty's legislative web page], New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms - [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2016.pdf 2016] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2015.pdf 2015] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2014.pdf 2014] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2013.pdf 2013] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2012.pdf 2012] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2011.pdf 2011] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2010.pdf 2010] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2009.pdf 2009] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2008.pdf 2008] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2007.pdf 2007] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2006.pdf 2006] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2005.pdf 2005] [http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DohertyM2004.pdf 2004]
[http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/22500 Senator Michael J. Doherty], Project Vote Smart

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders
from the 1st district|years=January 1, 2001–January 1, 2004}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the 23rd district|years=January 8, 2002–November 23, 2009|alongside=Connie Myers, Marcia A. Karrow, John DiMaio}}