Overview

Joseph F. Vitale was born on November 10, 1954, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He was raised in Woodbridge Township, where he attended public schools and graduated from John F. Kennedy Memorial High School. He has spent his entire professional career in the family business, Vitale Sign Corporation, founded in 1950, where he serves as president.

Vitale entered electoral politics in 1997, winning election to the New Jersey State Senate to represent the 19th Legislative District. He was sworn into office on January 13, 1998, filling a vacancy created when Jim McGreevey resigned his Senate seat to pursue an ultimately unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign. Vitale has been re-elected continuously since 1998, representing a district that encompasses portions of Middlesex County.

Throughout his Senate tenure, Vitale has developed a legislative focus on health care policy, labor issues, and social services. He served as Deputy Majority Leader from 2004 to 2009. In 2006, he served a four-month term as Interim Mayor of Woodbridge Township following the death of Mayor Frank Pelzman, voluntarily stepping down when a permanent successor was elected. He has chaired the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee since 2012 and serves as Vice Chair of the Labor Committee.

Political Career

New Jersey State Senator, District 19 (1998–present); current term ends January 11, 2028; re-elected 2023

Chair, Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (2012–present)

Vice Chair, Senate Labor Committee (2015–present)

Deputy Majority Leader, New Jersey State Senate (2004–2009)

Interim Mayor, Woodbridge Township (July 25, 2006–November 13, 2006)

Chair, Woodbridge Township Democratic Party (1992–1997)

Key Policy Areas

Health care access and affordability

Opioid addiction prevention and treatment

Labor and workforce development

Child welfare and protection services

Government ethics and anti-corruption

Environmental protection and renewable energy

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Authored legislation creating NJ FamilyCare, expanding health care coverage to low-income families and children

Sponsored 2017 telemedicine law incentivizing adoption of remote health care technology

Authored law providing first responders and the public access to heroin overdose antidote (naloxone), a component of New Jersey's opioid crisis response

Sponsored legislation signed into law after three decades of effort providing adoptees access to birth records and family medical history

Led legislative effort to restructure New Jersey's universities and medical schools to position the state as a national leader in health care research

Sponsored laws establishing the crime of bias intimidation and prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity

Education

John F. Kennedy Memorial High School, Woodbridge Township

Personal

Birth date: November 10, 1954

Residence: Woodbridge, New Jersey